§ 3–102
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 3-102 (2026)
Title 3. Comprehensive Plan
Subtitle 1. Requirement and Elements
§ 3–102LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The planning commission for a local jurisdiction shall include in the comprehensive plan the following elements:
(1)
a land element;
(2)
a transportation element;
(3)
a housing element;
(4)
an economy element;
(5)
an equity element;
(6)
a resilience element;
(7)
a place element; and
(8)
an ecology element.
(b)
The plan shall provide goals, objectives, guidelines, standards, and strategies for the orderly and balanced future economic, social, physical, environmental, and fiscal development of the local jurisdiction.
(c)
(1)
The planning commission for a local jurisdiction shall:
(i)
subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, determine the appropriate format and organizational structure of the plan, provided the elements required under this subtitle are addressed; and
(ii)
determine whether to include additional elements in the plan.
(2)
Elements may be formatted as individual chapters or addressed in multiple chapters.
(d)
(1)
Each element required under this section shall:
(i)
include and address all required subelements;
(ii)
be informed by relevant existing and anticipated future conditions and State and local plans; and
(iii)
identify the needs to be addressed and the goals to be achieved.
(2)
(i)
The plan shall include a statement of goals and objectives, principles, policies, and standards.
(ii)
The statement shall:
(1)
serve as a guide for the development and economic and social well–being of the local jurisdiction;
(2)
be informed by intergovernmental coordination with the adjacent jurisdictions and relevant regulatory authorities; and
(3)
subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, identify strategies to be implemented, including appropriate recommended development regulations, policies, programs, and other mechanisms to address the needs and goals of the plan.
(3)
The development regulation policies, programs, and other mechanisms included in the plan shall encourage:
(i)
the use of flexible development regulations to promote innovative and cost–saving site design, implement the planning principles, and protect the environment; and
(ii)
within the areas designated for growth in the plan:
(1)
promote economic development through the use of innovative techniques; and
(2)
provide for the streamlined review of applications for development, including permit review and subdivision plat review.
(e)
(1)
In preparing the plan, the planning commission for a local jurisdiction may request the Department of Planning to facilitate State agency assistance with available data and analysis.
(2)
The Department of Planning shall provide guidelines on how to address the elements required under this subtitle and identify best practices to be considered.