Municipal Services
Berlin’s Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for assisting with the physical growth and development of the Town. To that end, the department provides Staff support to the Berlin Planning Commission and revises the Berlin Comprehensive Land Use Plan periodically. The Planning office interprets subdivision and zoning laws that regulate land use and strives to provide accurate information regarding planning, development and construction activities within the Town.
Building permits are issued by the department for commercial, residential and institutional uses. Currently the Town enforces the 2012 International Building Code in the issuance of permits and related inspections. Sign permits, grading or excavation permits, fence permits, demolition permits, burn permits and residential rental license applications are available at the department’s #3 Bay Street location.
The department interprets and enforces the International Property Maintenance Code as well as the Town of Berlin’s Housing Standards and Property Maintenance regulations. Town staff routinely inspects the exterior of properties for compliance regarding grass height, abandoned vehicles, building maintenance and other standards.
The Planning Department provides professional staff support to the Berlin Historic District Commission (HDC). The HDC is an appointed body responsible for the review and authorization of exterior changes to any property in Berlin’s Historic District. Applications for exterior modifications must be filed with the Planning Department and reviewed in a public meeting of the HDC.
The Berlin Board of Zoning Appeals, a quasi-judicial body appointed by the Mayor and Council, reviews and decides cases regarding variances and Conditional Uses. The Planning Department is responsible for gathering relevant information, providing a recommendation based on land-use regulations and ensuring proper procedural guidelines are followed during the review of a case. The Board of Zoning Appeals’ meetings are scheduled following the submittal of an application to the Planning Department.
Staff also provides support to the Housing Board of Review. The Housing Board is responsible for hearing and deciding cases where there is an appeal of a Building Code requirement or interpretation. A Notice of Appeal to the Housing Board must be filed with the Planning Department in order for a Housing Board meeting to be scheduled.
Any questions regarding property maintenance, construction, subdivisions, historic preservation or development within the Town of Berlin should be directed to the above referenced Staff members.
Please see below for information about what will be collected and what dates apply to your neighborhood.
|
If your NORMAL TRASH DAY is |
then your YARD WASTE PICKUP DAY will be |
and your BULK WASTE PICKUP DAY will be |
|
Tuesday or Wednesday |
Wednesday, April 17 |
Wednesday, May1 |
|
Thursdays |
Wednesday, April 24 |
Wednesday, May 8 |
Regular household garbage is not part of these collections. Collection is for residential properties only; commercial and industrial properties are not included. Items must be at the curb by 7:00 AM; materials placed for pickup at any other time may not be collected.
BULK ITEM COLLECTION
DO:
Include items such as: Furniture - Toilets and Sinks – Carpet – Mattresses Tables and Chairs - Refrigerators, washers & dryers – Small appliances
Small items must be placed in a container at the curb and weigh no more than 100 lbs.
DON’T:
Include items such as: Hazardous Waste - Construction materials – Paint - Yard waste/brush - Propane tanks – Tires - Chemicals - Computer components
YARD WASTE COLLECTION
DO:
Place leaves, grass clippings, pine needles and cones, and garden waste in a paper bag, plastic bag, or (maximum) 30 gallon container.
Cut brush into 4 ft. lengths and bundles no larger than 18 inches in diameter.
DON’T:
Mix in stones, rocks, metal, other inorganic matter, dirt, sod or other materials.
For more information about acceptable items for either collection, please call the Public Works Department at 410-641-4001.
|
If your NORMAL TRASH DAY is |
then your BULK ITEM PICKUP DAY will be | and your YARD WASTE PICKUP DAY will be |
| Tuesday or Wednesday | Wednesday, November 6 | Wednesday, December 4 |
| Thursdays | Wednesday, November 20 | Wednesday, December 11 |
Regular household garbage is not part of these collections. Collection is for residential properties only; commercial and industrial properties are not included. Items must be at the curb by 7:00 AM; materials placed for pickup at any other time may not be collected.
BULK ITEM COLLECTION
Include items such as: Furniture — Toilets and Sinks — Carpet — Mattresses — Tables and Chairs — Refrigerators, washers & dryers — Small appliances
Small items must be placed in a container at the curb and weigh no more than 100 lbs.
DON’T:
Include items such as: Hazardous Waste — Construction materials — Paint — Yard waste/brush — Propane tanks — Tires — Chemicals — Computer components
YARD WASTE COLLECTION
Place leaves, grass clippings, pine needles and cones, and garden waste in a paper bag, plastic bag, or (maximum) 30 gallon container.
Cut brush into 4 ft. lengths and bundles no larger than 18 inches in diameter.
DON’T:
Mix in stones, rocks, metal, other inorganic matter, dirt, sod or other materials.
For more information about acceptable items for either collection, please call the Public Works Department at 410-641-4001.
RECYCLING GUIDELINES
In July of 1992, the Town of Berlin implemented a mandatory recycling program.There were many reasons for implementing this program - primarily economic, environmental, and resource conservation.WHAT CAN BE RECYCLED?
* GLASS-bottles and jars only. Preparation: Rinse, remove lids, rings andmetal attachments. Paper labels may be left on the jar or bottle. It is NOT necessary to separate by color.
* PLASTIC-any plastic container with the recycling symbol 1 thru 7 (no plastic bags). Preparation: Rinse, remove caps, lids, rings or other attachments and crush to flatten. Paper labels may be left on the container.
* ALUMINUM-drink cans and clean aluminum food containers or foil. Preparation: Rinse.
* FERROUS, TIN, OR BI-METAL-cans only (will stick to a magnet). Preparation: Rinse.
* PAPER-newspapers and magazines, office paper, "junk mail", etc. Preparation: Keep clean and dry, bundle with string or place in disposal bags in stacks of twelve (12) inches or less.
* CARDBOARD-CORRUGATED ONLY. Preparation: Same as paper above.
No special container is required for recyclable materials, however all items must be in separate containers as outlined above.Recycle containers need only be sturdy enough to be handled without bursting, and easily identifiable as containing recyclables. Designate your recyclable containers by marking them, or by providing a container with a visual means of identifying the materials inside without opening the bag or lid. Metal drums are not acceptable, and neither are plastic cans larger than thirty (30) gallons of capacity. Factory-made recycling containers are also available at many area merchants.
WHEN ARE COLLECTIONS SCHEDULED? General refuse (regular household garbage) will be collected once per week and recyclables once per week. If your general refuse is collected on Tuesday, then your recyclables will be collected on Monday, if your general refuse is collected on Wednesday or Thursday, then your recyclables will be collected on Friday.
There are also recycling containers located at the entrance to the Municipal Power Plant on William Street for drop-offs.
In the event of a holiday, or other Town office closure, general refuse and/or recyclables will be collected on the next regularly scheduled day, unless otherwise scheduled.Any change in scheduling will be published in local newspapers, on the Public Access Channel (cable channel 4) and/or in the Berlin Community News. If you should have any questions regarding the collection routes or the separation of recyclables from general refuse, please call the Public Works Department at 410-641-4001.
Rt. 113 and Tripoli Street
Stephen Decatur Park consists of approximately 21 acres and offers picnic and playground facilities and tennis and racquetball courts. A pavilion is available for rent for organized events. Stephen Decatur also has a nature pond and trail.
Stephen Decatur Park has long been a gathering place for many groups, families, and individuals, with certain groups returning on an annual basis. The Park has hosted the Berlin Fall Festival for over 30 years and, in the past decade, an African-American Heritage Festival has been held in Stephen Decatur Park several times.
DR. WILLIAM HENRY PARK
Flower Street
Henry Park consists of approximately 3.5 acres and offers picnic and playground facilities and basketball courts. A pavilion is available for rent for organized events.
Annually, the Park is host to the Old-Fashioned Memorial Day celebration organized by local veterans' associations and the National Night Out sponsored by the Berlin Police Department.
The playground facilities include a large multi-function play unit for use by the over 5 age group and a tot-lot for the 2-5 age group. The tot-lot was created in 2005 through the Community Parks and Playground program.
JOHN HOWARD BURBAGE PARK
William Street
Named for Berlin’s longest serving Mayor, Burbage Park is a small neighborhood park consisting of approximately .75 acres and located in front of the Berlin Municipal Power Plant. This is an aesthetic park with flowers and trees and a small sitting area.
The Berlin Parks Commission is organized under the Town Charter and operates as a volunteer committee made up of citizens of the Town. The Parks Commission actively seeks partnerships with a variety of sponsors and has been successful in cultivating relationships with corporate, civic and private entities to assist with park-related projects. The Town also has funding in its annual budget for Parks related maintenance and other necessities. For further information, please click here.
