Authority For Local Planning - Land Use Article

The State of Maryland entrusts local jurisdictions with land use planning authority. Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code delegates planning and land use regulatory authority to all noncharter counties and all incorporated municipalities outside of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, as well as specifically identified towns within these two jurisdictions (Barnesville, Brookeville, Gaithersburg, Laytonsville, Poolesville, Rockville, Washington Grove, and Laurel).

This statute enables local government to guide growth and development; outlines the responsibilities, roles, and functions of the planning commission; and sets the “ground rules” for operations. Many sections of Land Use Article apply to all jurisdictions in the State that exercise planning and zoning powers. Article 25A delegates planning and land use powers to six charter counties (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Talbot, and Wicomico).

For the full text of the law see below:

• Land Use Article
  (When page opens, click on "I Agree" button. Wait for the index to load (may take a moment). Click the  symbol in front of LAND USE to expand the index. Click the  symbol in front of DIVISION I or DIVISION II to view titles)
• Article 25A - Chartered Counties of Maryland