Welcome to the Planning Commission, Planning Board and Board of Appeals Education Course

The Smart and Sustainable Growth Act of 2009 passed in the 2009 session of the Maryland General Assembly requires local jurisdiction’s (county or municipal) Planning Commission/Board and Board of Appeals members to complete an education course on or before July 1, 2010. The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) has developed this online course as a result of this new law.

MDP created this course with input from the Governor’s Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development, the Maryland Association of Counties (MaCo), the Maryland Municipal League (MML), the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) and others.

The Planning Commissions, Planning Boards and Board of Appeals Education Course covers topics such as the role of the comprehensive plan and proper standards for special exceptions and variances, as applicable. The course explains additional subjects such as zoning ordinances and regulations, subdivision ordinances, methods for land preservation and important land management tools such as adequate public facilities ordinances.

This will be an on-going educational requirement for all Planning Commissions, Planning Boards and Board of Appeals of Maryland non-charter counties and municipalities who exercise planning and zoning authority under Land Use Article and charter counties including Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

If you ARE NOT a member of a planning commission or board or a board of appeal member, it is not necessary for you to create an account or take the online reviews in order to view this course. Simply click here to view the complete course materials.

If you are a member of a planning commission or board or a board of appeals member, please click on the “Log Into Training Site” link in the upper right. Create an account and log in to take the online course."