The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is seeking public input on a proposed drone program designed to support neighborhood revitalization efforts, improve service delivery, and enhance the City’s ability to address property conditions and community needs.
Through the proposed Bird’s Eye View Program (BEV), DHCD staff will use drone technology as an additional tool to support property inspections, documentation, planning, and redevelopment activities. The program is intended to help staff gather timely and accurate information, improve operational efficiency and worker safety, and support efforts to create safer, cleaner, and stronger neighborhoods.
The program will play an important role in a variety of activities, including:
- Inspecting building conditions and supporting home repair projects
- Documenting illegal dumping sites to help coordinate cleanup efforts
- Supporting property maintenance inspectors in identifying code violations and promoting safe and clean communities
- Tracking progress on revitalization projects and contract compliance
- Providing accurate site information for community planning and redevelopment efforts
- Creating data-driven models to advance Reframe Baltimore, the City’s Vacancy Reduction Initiative
By using drones for inspections and documentation, DHCD staff can save time, reduce costs, and minimize disruptions for residents and property owners while improving the efficiency and accuracy of field operations. The technology will also support transparent, community-centered revitalization efforts by providing timely, reliable information to guide decision-making and project implementation.
DHCD emphasizes that BEV is not a surveillance program. Drones will be used only for official DHCD purposes that support property improvement, neighborhood revitalization, and the delivery of City services. Authorized employees will receive appropriate training and certification to operate the technology safely and responsibly.
The 30-day public comment period will provide residents, community organizations, and stakeholders an opportunity to review the proposed program policy, share feedback, and offer recommendations. Feedback received during the comment period will help shape implementation practices, ensure transparency, and support the responsible use of technology.
Review the Draft Policy and Share Your Comments
The public comment period ends on August 15, 2026.
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