Unless the context requires otherwise, in this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Applicant” means a person or governmental unit that applies for a development permit. “Coordinator” means the State Permit Coordinator. “Development permit” means a permit for a development project. “Development project” means a proposed construction or development for which more than 1 permit is required. “Governmental unit” includes: the State; a county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State; and a unit of a political subdivision of the State. “Local government” means: a county; a municipal corporation in the State; or a unit of a county or municipal corporation in the State. “Permit” means a certificate, license, or other document of approval or permission required to be obtained from a local government or a State unit. “Permit” does not include: an action on a comprehensive zoning application; an action on an application for a zoning map amendment, zoning special exception, zoning variance, or conditional zoning use; or an occupational license or operating permit. “State unit” means a unit of the State government. Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, “State unit” includes: a unit in a principal department of the Executive Branch of the State government; and the governing body of a single county or multicounty district or authority. “State unit” does not include: the Board of Review of a principal department; the governing body of a local government; or a unit that a local government creates.

The General Assembly finds that: the varying and time consuming procedures in obtaining necessary development permits from local governments and State units placed onerous burdens on persons or governmental units undertaking development projects; the former methods for permitting public comment on development projects were cumbersome and time consuming, placed undue hardship on members of the public, and inhibited the public’s ability to present its views to local governments and State units granting development permits; and it is desirable to ensure prompt, reasonable, and decisive action on development permits and to provide for a consolidation of the fact-finding processes involved in issuing development permits to: eliminate unnecessary delay, unreasonable expense, and duplication of effort in obtaining necessary development permits, in order to foster development projects that are in the economic, social, and environmental interest of the citizens of the State; and remove impediments to the effective expression of public comment on these development projects, in order to safeguard against the approval of development projects that are not in the economic, social, and environmental interest of the citizens of the State. The purposes of this title are to coordinate and to expedite administrative decision making by: consolidating application procedures to help those persons or governmental units that must obtain development permits from 1 or more local governments and State units; consolidating hearings to help local governments and State units in obtaining all relevant information as to applications on which they must act; and requiring action on all applications for development permits within a reasonable time, whether or not subject to consolidated procedures.

This title applies only to a development project and only through the completion of a final action under § 11–520 of this title. This title does not apply to an application for a renewal, amendment, or extension of a development permit. This title applies to the procedures of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission for a subdivision or site review to the same extent that this title applies to the procedures of any local government. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, this title does not affect any exclusive jurisdiction granted by law to a local government or State unit to act on an application for a particular type of development permit, and a local government or State unit that has power to grant development permits may exercise the power free from interference by another unit. The coordinator may inquire as to any application for a development permit and may set a time limit for action to issue or deny a development permit, if the application has not been acted on within the prescribed time. The procedures set forth in this title are exclusive and shall prevail over any inconsistent law or order. This title does not affect the authority of a local government or State unit to set and to collect an application, permit, or other fee, and the fee shall be paid in accordance with the law and procedures relating to that fee. This title does not affect the authority of the Department of Planning under Title 5 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. This title does not apply to the construction of: an electric generating station; or an overhead transmission line designed to carry more than 69,000 volts.

A provision of this title that conflicts with a federal requirement for the grant of federal funds to a local government, to the State, or to a State unit is inoperative to the extent of the conflict and with respect to a unit that the conflict directly affects. To the extent necessary to comply with a conflicting federal requirement, a local government or State unit may modify a notice, timing, hearing, or related procedural requirement of this title. To the extent necessary to comply with a federal requirement, if a development permit is issued jointly by a State unit and the federal government, the State unit may modify a notice, timing, hearing, or related procedural requirement of this title.

The Board of Public Works may: adopt regulations to carry out this title; and appoint hearing examiners to perform the duties set forth in this title.