Land Use (GLU) — Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Subtitle 1. Allegany County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-101 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 1. Allegany County
§ 9–101LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies to Allegany County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-102 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 1. Allegany County
§ 9–102LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The planning commission may consist of nine members.
(b)
(1)
The term of a member of the planning commission is 5 years.
(2)
The terms of two of the members of the planning commission shall be staggered.
(3)
At the end of a term, a member of the planning commission continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
Subtitle 3. Baltimore County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-301 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 3. Baltimore County
§ 9–301LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies to Baltimore County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-302 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 3. Baltimore County
§ 9–302LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In addition to the jurisdiction granted in Title 11, Subtitle 2 of this article, the legislative body of Baltimore County may provide by local law for an administrative proceeding to enforce its zoning regulations.
(b)
The local law may include the authority to impose civil fines and penalties for zoning violations.
Subtitle 6. Carroll County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-601 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 6. Carroll County
§ 9–601LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies to Carroll County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-602 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 6. Carroll County
§ 9–602LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The county commissioners may appoint one of the members of the board of county commissioners to the planning commission.
(b)
(1)
The county commissioners shall designate one alternate member of the planning commission who may sit on the planning commission in the absence of a member of the planning commission.
(2)
When the alternate is absent, the county commissioners may designate a temporary alternate.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-603 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 6. Carroll County
§ 9–603LinkCopy Citation
If a plat is approved and recorded in accordance with this division before the transfer of the property, § 5–301 of this article does not apply to a contract for sale or negotiation for sale of property zoned industrial, commercial, or both industrial and commercial.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-604 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 6. Carroll County
§ 9–604LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If the county commissioners abate a violation of a zoning law, the county commissioners may assess against the property the reasonable costs of the abatement.
(b)
(1)
The assessment shall be:
(i)
added to the annual tax bill of the property to be collected in the same manner as ordinary taxes are collected; and
(ii)
subject to the same interest and penalty for nonpayment as provided by law for the nonpayment of county taxes.
(2)
The assessment is a lien against the property from the date of assessment until paid.
(c)
(1)
A property owner aggrieved by the assessment may petition the county commissioners for relief.
(2)
Within 30 days after receiving a petition, the county commissioners shall conduct a hearing to determine the propriety and reasonableness of the assessment.
(3)
At the hearing, the petitioner shall have the burden of showing good cause as to why the assessment should not be made.
Subtitle 7. Cecil County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-701 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 7. Cecil County
§ 9–701LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies to Cecil County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-702 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 7. Cecil County
§ 9–702LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The planning commission consists of six regular members and one alternate member.
(b)
(1)
The term of a member of the planning commission is 3 years.
(2)
The terms of the members of the planning commission shall be staggered.
(3)
At the end of a term, an appointed member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(4)
An ex officio member serves a term concurrent with the member’s term of office.
(5)
A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-703 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 7. Cecil County
§ 9–703LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
The board of county commissioners shall appoint a director of planning and zoning for the county.
(2)
The director shall serve at the pleasure of the county commissioners.
(b)
The planning commission may not appoint a director of planning and zoning.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-704 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 7. Cecil County
§ 9–704LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Notwithstanding § 4–302 of this article, the board of appeals consists of five regular members and one alternate member.
(b)
(1)
The term of a member of the board of appeals is 3 years.
(2)
The terms of the members of the board of appeals shall be staggered.
(3)
At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(4)
A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
Subtitle 8. Charles County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-801 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 8. Charles County
§ 9–801LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies to Charles County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-802 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 8. Charles County
§ 9–802LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
The planning commission consists of seven members who shall represent as many different geographical areas of the county as is possible.
(2)
A member of the county commissioners may not sit on the planning commission.
(b)
(1)
The term of a member of the planning commission is 4 years.
(2)
The terms of the members of the planning commission shall be staggered.
(3)
At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(c)
Each year, the county commissioners shall appoint the chair of the planning commission.
(d)
Each member of the planning commission is entitled to the compensation the county commissioners consider appropriate.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-803 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 8. Charles County
§ 9–803LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Notwithstanding § 4–302 of this article, the members of the board of appeals shall be appointed to 4–year terms.
(b)
The terms of the members of the board of appeals shall be staggered.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-804 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 8. Charles County
§ 9–804LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section applies only to an application for a special exception for:
(1)
an asphalt plant;
(2)
a concrete plant;
(3)
sand and gravel washing, crushing, or screening; or
(4)
surface mining.
(b)
(1)
Notwithstanding Title 4, Subtitle 3 of this article, the county commissioners may hear and decide a special exception under an appeal filed by a property owner who is aggrieved by a decision of the board of appeals on the special exception.
(2)
The county commissioners shall hear and decide an appeal of a special exception in accordance with rules and procedures adopted by the county commissioners.
(c)
If the county commissioners adopt rules and procedures for considering a special exception under this section, the decision of the county commissioners to grant, deny, modify, or remand the application for the special exception is a final decision for which judicial review may be requested in the circuit court under Title 4, Subtitle 4 of this article.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-805 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 8. Charles County
§ 9–805LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the subdivision regulations may provide for the reservation of property for traffic, recreation, or other public purposes.
(b)
A reservation of property under subsection (a) of this section may not continue for longer than 3 years without the written approval of all persons with a legal or equitable interest in the property.
(c)
The subdivision regulations shall provide for public notice and an opportunity for a public hearing before a property may be reserved.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-806 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 8. Charles County
§ 9–806LinkCopy Citation
Section 5–301 of this article does not apply to the sale or negotiation for sale of industrial property.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-807 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 8. Charles County
§ 9–807LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If the county commissioners abate a violation of a zoning law, the county commissioners may assess against the property the reasonable costs of the abatement.
(b)
The assessment shall be:
(1)
added to the annual tax bill of the property to be collected in the same manner as ordinary taxes are collected; and
(2)
subject to the same interest and penalty for nonpayment as provided by law for the nonpayment of county taxes.
(c)
The assessment is a lien against the property from the date of assessment until paid.
Subtitle 10. Frederick County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1001 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 10. Frederick County
§ 9–1001LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies to Frederick County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1002 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 10. Frederick County
§ 9–1002LinkCopy Citation
Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, the governing body of Frederick County may overrule an action of the county planning commission under Title 3, Subtitle 2 or 3 of this article.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1003 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 10. Frederick County
§ 9–1003LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Notwithstanding § 4–302 of this article, the members of the board of appeals may be appointed to terms of 1 to 3 years.
(b)
The terms of the members of the board of appeals shall be staggered.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1004 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 10. Frederick County
§ 9–1004LinkCopy Citation
If a plat is approved and recorded in accordance with this division before the transfer of the property, § 5–301 of this article does not apply to a contract for sale or negotiation for sale of property zoned industrial, commercial, or both industrial and commercial.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1005 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 10. Frederick County
§ 9–1005LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A person aggrieved by an agreement executed under Title 7, Subtitle 3 of this article may file an administrative appeal to the county board of zoning appeals.
(b)
(1)
Any of the following persons may file a request for judicial review by the circuit court of the county of a decision of the board of zoning appeals:
(i)
a person aggrieved by the decision; or
(ii)
a party to the proceeding before the board of zoning appeals.
(2)
The judicial review shall be in accordance with Title 7, Chapter 200 of the Maryland Rules.
(c)
Any party to the proceeding in the circuit court aggrieved by the decision of the circuit court may appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland in the same manner provided for civil cases.
(d)
(1)
If a development rights and responsibilities agreement was entered into before July 1, 2016, a person aggrieved by an amendment to the agreement:
(i)
may not file an administrative appeal; and
(ii)
may seek direct judicial review of the agreement in circuit court by filing a request with the circuit court of the county.
(2)
The judicial review shall be in accordance with Title 7, Chapter 200 of the Maryland Rules.
(3)
Under this subsection, a party to the proceeding in the circuit court that is aggrieved by the decision of the circuit court may appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland and thereafter may petition the Supreme Court of Maryland for a writ of certiorari in the manner that is provided for civil cases.
Subtitle 13. Howard County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1301 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 13. Howard County
§ 9–1301LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies to Howard County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1302 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 13. Howard County
§ 9–1302LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In addition to the jurisdiction granted in Title 11 of this article, the county council may provide by local law for an administrative proceeding to enforce its zoning regulations.
(b)
The local law may include the authority to impose civil fines and penalties and to create liens and assess costs for zoning violations.
Subtitle 16. St. Mary's County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1601 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 16. St. Mary's County
§ 9–1601LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies to St. Mary’s County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1602 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 16. St. Mary's County
§ 9–1602LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, land or buildings may not be used for chemical or catalytic manufacturing, chemical fabrication, gasoline processing, or refining of petroleum or petroleum products.
(b)
Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to land or buildings used:
(1)
on or before July 23, 1974, for chemical or catalytic manufacturing, chemical fabrication, gasoline fabrication, gasoline processing, or refining of petroleum or petroleum products; or
(2)
on or after July 1, 1980, for manufacturing alcohol fuel.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1603 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 16. St. Mary's County
§ 9–1603LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any land or building used for races or speed contests involving automobiles or other vehicles, as defined in § 11–176 of the Transportation Article, shall cease operation:
(1)
by 12:30 a.m.; or
(2)
if a race or speed contest is in progress at 12:30 a.m., within 30 minutes after the conclusion of that race or speed contest.
(b)
The required closing time for land or buildings under subsection (a) of this section does not apply to areas used for the operation of concessions or to a passage used as an entrance to or exit from the concession areas.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1604 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 16. St. Mary's County
§ 9–1604LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Notwithstanding § 4–302 of this article, the members of the board of appeals may be appointed to terms of 1 to 3 years.
(b)
The terms of the members of the board of appeals shall be staggered.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1605 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 16. St. Mary's County
§ 9–1605LinkCopy Citation
Section 5–301 of this article does not apply to the sale or negotiation for sale of industrial property.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1606 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 16. St. Mary's County
§ 9–1606LinkCopy Citation
A property deeded before January 1, 1994, and improved with a residence before January 1, 2007, is exempt from the subdivision regulations adopted by the county under Title 5 of this article for purposes of constructing additions to the residence or accessory buildings.
Subtitle 18. Talbot County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1801 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 18. Talbot County
§ 9–1801LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies to Talbot County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1802 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 18. Talbot County
§ 9–1802LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In addition to the jurisdiction granted in Title 11 of this article, the legislative body of Talbot County may provide by local law for an administrative proceeding to enforce its zoning regulations.
(b)
The local law may include the authority to impose civil fines and penalties for zoning violations.
Subtitle 19. Washington County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1901 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 19. Washington County
§ 9–1901LinkCopy Citation
Except for land within a municipal corporation, this subtitle applies to Washington County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-1902 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 19. Washington County
§ 9–1902LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “public facilities” means schools, roads, water, wastewater, and stormwater management facilities, and other infrastructure supported by the federal, State, or local government for public purposes.
(b)
In addition to the authority granted in Title 7, Subtitle 1 of this article, the county commissioners may provide by local law for the provision and financing of adequate public facilities concurrently with the need for those facilities.
(c)
The local law may include the authority for the county commissioners to:
(1)
determine the functional or design capacity of public facilities;
(2)
establish standards for determining the adequacy of public facilities;
(3)
determine school capacity standards;
(4)
determine the student yield factors for schools at various levels;
(5)
establish categories of developments that will be exempt from the application of the local law;
(6)
establish formulas for measuring available capacity of public facilities;
(7)
determine the adequacy of public facilities in areas affected by new developments in the development plan review process;
(8)
enter into agreements with developers providing for the payment of monetary compensation to address inadequacies in public facilities caused by proposed developments as a part of the development plan approval process;
(9)
determine the value of in–kind contributions of equivalent value such as real estate;
(10)
require forfeiture of contributions 3 years after final plat approval;
(11)
establish an appeal process for decisions made under the local law;
(12)
limit the number of building permits in any school district; and
(13)
limit the number of residential building lots approved for development on an annual basis.
(d)
The local law may authorize the county commissioners to impose civil fines and penalties for any violation of the local law.
Subtitle 21. Worcester County
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-2101 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 21. Worcester County
§ 9–2101LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle applies to Worcester County.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-2102 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 21. Worcester County
§ 9–2102LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Notwithstanding any other law, on the zoning or rezoning of land, the county commissioners may impose appropriate restrictions or conditions to preserve or improve the general character and design of:
(1)
the land and improvements being zoned or rezoned; or
(2)
the surrounding land and improvements.
(b)
On the zoning or rezoning of land, the county commissioners may retain the power to approve or disapprove the design of buildings, construction, landscaping, or other improvements or alterations made on the land to assure conformity with the purposes of this division and the county zoning law.
(c)
The county commissioners may exercise the power granted under this section only if the county commissioners adopt a local law that includes:
(1)
enforcement procedures; and
(2)
requirements for adequate notice of public hearings and conditions sought to be imposed.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 9-2103 (2026)
Title 9. Single-County Provisions
Subtitle 21. Worcester County
§ 9–2103LinkCopy Citation
Notwithstanding any other provision of this division or of the local laws of the county, an application for zoning classification or reclassification shall contain the following information:
(1)
if the applicant is a corporation, the names and residences of the officers, directors, and all stockholders owning more than 20% of the capital stock of the corporation;
(2)
if the applicant is a general or limited partnership, the names and residences of all partners who own more than 20% of the interest of the partnership;
(3)
if the applicant is an individual, the applicant’s name and residence; or
(4)
if the applicant is a joint venture, unincorporated association, real estate investment trust, or other business trust or statutory trust, the names and residences of all persons holding an interest of more than 20% in the joint venture, unincorporated association, real estate investment trust, or other business trust or statutory trust.