§ 7–502
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 7-502 (2026)
Title 7. Other Development Management Tools
Subtitle 5. Housing Expansion and Affordability
§ 7–502LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “qualified project” means a residential project that:
(1)
consists of new construction or substantial renovation, as annually established and identified by the Department of Housing and Community Development in the Multifamily Rental Financing Program Guide;
(2)
is on property that:
(i)
(1)
was formerly owned by the State;
(2)
consists of more than one building;
(3)
includes at least one building that was built more than 50 years before the date of application for the project; and
(4)
is appropriate for redevelopment as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Community Development; or
(ii)
(1)
is currently or was formerly owned by the federal government;
(2)
is greater than 80 acres in size; and
(3)
was the site of a former U.S. military reservation;
(3)
contains at least 25% of units that are affordable dwelling units; and
(4)
is deed–restricted to include 25% of units that are affordable dwelling units for a period of at least 40 years.
(b)
(1)
In accordance with this subsection, a local jurisdiction shall allow the density of a qualified project to exceed the density otherwise authorized in a district or zone.
(2)
In an area zoned for single–family residential use, a qualified project may include middle housing units.
(3)
In an area zoned for multifamily residential use, a qualified project:
(i)
shall have a density limit that exceeds by 30% the allowable density in that zone for uses that are not part of a qualified project; and
(ii)
may consist of mixed–use.
(4)
Subject to § 7–509 of this subtitle, a qualified project may consist of mixed–use development with density limits that do not exceed the highest allowable density in the local jurisdiction’s multifamily residential zones:
(i)
in an area zoned for nonresidential use; or
(ii)
on land that:
(1)
is currently or was formerly owned by the federal government;
(2)
is more than 80 acres in size; and
(3)
was the site of a former U.S. military reservation.
(5)
In an area zoned for mixed–use, a qualified project may consist of residential development with density limits that do not exceed the greater of the following:
(i)
the highest allowable density in the local jurisdiction’s residential zones; or
(ii)
six units per gross acre.
(6)
If a qualified project is allowed to exceed the density otherwise authorized by a local jurisdiction in a district or zone under this section, the qualified project may not also exceed the authorized density under § 7–503 or § 7–504 of this subtitle.