Zoning Ordinance Update

Background:

Title 4 of the Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, as amended, empowers the Board of County Commissioners to enact a Zoning Ordinance to provide for its administration, enforcement and amendment.   The Zoning Ordinance is one tool necessary to implement the Comprehensive Plan.  The Zoning Ordinance is designed to regulate land uses, many aspects of land use can impact adjoining properties, neighborhoods, public facilities and overall County development. As mandated in the Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance is adopted to regulate land uses as part of the effort to promote the health, safety and general welfare of Calvert County residents.  Ordinance 35-06 approved by the Board of County Commissioners adopted the current Calvert County Zoning Ordinance in May of 2006.  Many text amendments have been adopted amending the Zoning Ordinance since.

Purpose:

The County’s Comprehensive Plan was recently adopted in 2019 and amended in 2022.  The project started in 2016, since the beginning of that project, County staff and the Comprehensive Plan consultant conducted a zoning analysis of existing conditions.  Through the confirmation of the County’s vision through the Comprehensive Plan adoption – Calvert 2040, staff began working on developing zoning recommendations and a draft ordinance that would bring the Zoning Ordinance into compliance with the new Comprehensive Plan.  

Goals:

  • Ensure uniformity with the Calvert 2040 newly adopted Comprehensive Plan
  • Conduct a comprehensive review of zoning regulations regarding current land use practices
  • Condense the document and remove unnecessary language
  • Re-organize sections to make the document more intuitive for users
  • Revise vague language to limit need for Zoning Interpretations
  • Update outdated requirements to be in line with State standards and current best management practices
  • Provide an ordinance that is user friendly for staff, citizens and businesses

Zoning Ordinance Draft Map:

How to submit public comment:

***NOTE – Public comments will only be considered regarding the articles for which the public comment period is open for.  Public comments received regarding other articles will be considered at the time of the public comment period is open for that designated article. ***

Email to: ZOupdate@calvertcountymd.gov
Mail to: Attn: ZO Update, 205 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Schedule:

Zoning Ordinance Public Adoption Schedule

DateMeeting BodyAction
April 19, 2023BOCC/ PCJoint Work Session: Overview of Planning, Comp. Plan/ ZO purpose, strategies/ goals of this update.
May 10, 2023 Public Comment Period Open:
 Article 3 - Zoning Map
 Article 4 - Agricultural Districts
 Article 5 - Rural Residential Districts
 Article 6 - Residential Districts
 Article 7 - Commercial Districts
 Article 8 - Industrial Districts
 Article 9 - Historic Districts 
May 31, 2023 Public Comments Due: Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 
May 31, 2023 Public Comment Period Open:
 Article 22 - Critical Area
 Article 23 - Marine and Water-Dependent Uses
 Article 24 - Floodplain
June 21, 2023BOCC/PCJoint Work Session: Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9  
June 21, 2023 Public Comments Due: Articles 22, 23, 24
June 21, 2023 Public Comment Period Open:
Article 25 Site Development and Design Standards
Article 31 Subdivision
June 22, 2023 Public Forum on Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
July 12, 2023
Public Comments Due: Articles 25, 31 
July 12, 2023 Public Comment Period Open:
Article 26 Lighting
Article 27 Parking
Article 28 Landscaping
Article 29 Signs
July 19, 2023 BOCC/PCJoint Work Session: Articles 22, 23, 24
August 9, 2023 Public Comments Due:  Articles 26, 27, 28, 29
August 9, 2023
Public Comment Period Open:  
Article 18 Uses
Article 19 Accessory Structures 
August 23, 2023 BOCC/PCJoint Work Session: Articles 25, 31
August 24, 2023 Public Forum on Articles 22, 23, 24
August 30, 2023 Public Comments Due: Articles 18, 19
August 30, 2023
Public Comment Period Open:  
Article 30 Zoning Approvals, Variances, and Appeals
Article 32 Nonconformities
Article 33 Enforcement
September 20, 2023 BOCC/PCJoint Work Session: Articles 26, 27, 28, 29
 
September 20, 2023 Public Comments Due: Articles 30, 32, 33
September 20, 2023
Public Comment Period Open:
Article 1 Purpose
Article 2 Definitions
Article 17 Transferable Development Rights
October 11, 2023 Public Comments Due: Articles 1, 2, 17
October 11, 2023
 Public Comment Period Open:
 Article 20 Forest Conservation
 Article 21 Natural Resources

October 18, 2023 BOCC/PCJoint Work Session: Articles 18, 19
October 26, 2023 Public Forum on Articles 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31
November 1, 2023
Public Comments Due: Articles 20, 21
November 15, 2023BOCC/PCJoint Work Session: Articles 30, 32, 33
November 16, 2023 Public Forum on Articles 18, 19, 30, 32, 33
December 13, 2024BOCC/PCJoint Work Session: Articles 1, 2, 17
January 2024BOCC/PCJoint Work Session: Articles 20, 21
January 2024 Public Forum on Articles 1, 2, 17, 20, 21
January  2024 Public Comment Period Open:
Final Draft Zoning Ordinance
February 2024
Public Comments Due: Final Draft Zoning Ordinance
March 2024BOCC/ PC
Joint Public Hearing: Adoption of Final Draft Zoning Ordinance