(a) A legislative body may divide the local jurisdiction into districts and zones of any number, shape, and area that the legislative body considers best suited to carry out the purposes of this division. (b) (1) Within the districts and zones, the legislative body may regulate the construction, alteration, repair, or use of buildings, structures, or land. (2) Except […]
(a) The legislative body shall adopt zoning regulations: (1) in accordance with the plan; (2) with reasonable consideration for, among other things, the character of the district or zone and its suitability for particular uses; and (3) with a view to conserving the value of property and encouraging orderly development and the most appropriate use of land. (b) The zoning […]
(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 […]
(a) Zoning regulations and boundaries may be amended or repealed.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 […]
(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: […]
(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 […]
(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 […]
A legislative body shall provide for exceptions to the zoning law when necessary to bring an existing parking lot into compliance with the requirements for parking spaces for individuals with disabilities and the van–accessible parking ratio requirement of the Maryland Accessibility Code adopted under § 12–202 of the Public Safety Article.
(a) A legislative body may appoint full– and part–time hearing examiners that it considers necessary and appropriate. (b) (1) A legislative body may delegate to a hearing examiner the power to conduct a public hearing under §§ 4–204 and 4–205 of this subtitle. (2) A hearing shall be conducted under rules the legislative body adopts. (c) A hearing examiner shall […]
(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 […]
(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 […]
(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 […]
(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 […]
(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 […]
