US Lawyer Database

Section 4-210 – Permits and Variances – Solar Panels

    (a)    In this section, “critical area” includes the areas designated as the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area under § 8–1807 of the Natural Resources Article.     (b)    This section does not apply in the critical area.     (c)    For the purposes of issuing a permit or variance relating to zoning, construction, or stormwater for […]

Section 4-211 – Energy Generating Systems

    (a)    In this section, “energy generating system” means an energy generating system:         (1)    for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity is required by State law; or         (2)    (i)    for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity is not required by State law; and             (ii)    that is not considered to be an accessory use under the zoning law […]

Section 4-212 – Agritourism

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “agritourism” means an activity conducted on a farm that is offered to a member of the general public or to invited guests for the purpose of education, recreation, or active involvement in the farm operation.     (2)    “Agritourism” includes:         (i)    farm tours;         (ii)    hayrides;         (iii)    corn mazes;         (iv)    seasonal petting farms;         (v)    farm museums;         (vi)    guest farms;         (vii)    pumpkin patches;         (viii)    “pick […]

Section 4-213 – Alcohol Production Defined

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “alcohol production” means an activity that is:             (i)    carried out by a license holder, as defined in § 1–101 of the Alcoholic Beverages Article; and             (ii)    related to the manufacture, packaging, storage, promotion, or sale of alcoholic beverages.         (2)    “Alcohol production” includes the use of an area to:             (i)    provide tastings of alcoholic beverages; or             (ii)    accommodate […]

Section 4-214 – Agricultural Alcohol Production Defined

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “agricultural alcohol production” means an activity that:             (i)    is carried out by a license holder, as defined in § 1–101 of the Alcoholic Beverages Article;             (ii)    occurs on agricultural land; and             (iii)    is related to the manufacture, packaging, storage, promotion, or sale of alcoholic beverages that use ingredients produced on the agricultural land or any […]

Section 4-203 – Zoning Regulations — Procedure; Public Hearings

    (a)    A legislative body shall provide for the manner in which its zoning regulations and the boundaries of districts and zones shall be established, enforced, and amended.     (b)    (1)    A legislative body shall hold at least one public hearing on a proposed zoning regulation or boundary at which parties in interest and citizens have an opportunity to be […]

Section 4-204 – Zoning Regulations — Amendment, Repeal, and Reclassification

    (a)    Zoning regulations and boundaries may be amended or repealed.     (b)    (1)    If the purpose and effect of a proposed map amendment is to change a zoning classification, the legislative body shall make findings of fact that address:             (i)    population change;             (ii)    the availability of public facilities;             (iii)    present and future transportation patterns;             (iv)    compatibility with existing and proposed development for the […]

Section 4-205 – Administrative Adjustments

    (a)    A legislative body may authorize the planning director or another designee to grant an administrative adjustment from the following requirements in a zoning law enacted by the legislative body:         (1)    height;         (2)    setback;         (3)    bulk;         (4)    parking;         (5)    loading, dimensional, or area; or         (6)    similar requirements.     (b)    Before developing criteria and procedures for administrative adjustments under this section, the legislative body shall: […]

Section 4-206 – Variances

    (a)    By local law, a legislative body may specify in a zoning law the allowable modifications that may be made by a variance.     (b)    The modifications in a variance:         (1)    may be only of density, bulk, dimensional, or area requirements of the zoning law;         (2)    may be only allowed where, owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not […]

Section 4-207 – Adaptive Reuse

    (a)    On application by a property owner, a legislative body may authorize how the uses allowed in a zoning classification are to be applied to a particular improved property by granting an adaptive reuse.     (b)    Before granting an adaptive reuse, the legislative body shall make specific findings, supported by facts in the record, that:         (1)    the change is […]