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Howard County

Planning & Zoning

The Department of Planning and Zoning ensures the orderly and sustainable growth of the County by implementing policies, plans, and regulations that guide land use and development. Research and community engagement are cornerstones to these efforts that shape our community.

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Planning & Zoning

3430 Court House Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
United States

410-313-2350
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About

The Department of Planning and Zoning shapes the growth and future of Howard County by facilitating the development of safe, healthy, equitable, connected, and sustained communities, while respecting individual rights and protecting the County's natural environment, historical integrity and character.

What's New

* Howard County has launched the Gateway Master Plan effort. Click here to learn more about the Plan.

* Historic Zoning information is now available with the launch of the Historic Zoning Map. Click here to use the application. 

*The 2023 Development Monitoring System Report was recently published. Click here to read it. 

Howard County's Planning and Zoning scenes

Planning and Zoning Resources

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I am a Resident/Property Owner
Find info about your property, zoning, and development projects.
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I am a Professional
Find info about plans, regulations, redlines, and more.

Department Resources

Additional Information

Current Initiatives/Reports
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Events

Events
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News

Find the latest news updates.

News
Aerial of the Gateway area
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Establishes Gateway Master Plan Advisory Committee
Press Release
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Secures Second Easement Under Trailblazing Conservation Program
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Secures Second Easement Under Trailblazing Conservation Program
Press Release
Aerial of the Gateway area
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Launches Transformational Gateway Master Plan
Press Release
2023 Downtown Columbia Redevelopment Monitoring Report
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Announces Completion of Five-Year Downtown Columbia Redevelopment Monitoring Report
Press Release
Howard County Earns Prestigious Maryland Sustainable Growth Award for Landmark Land Preservation Program
Howard County Earns Prestigious Maryland Sustainable Growth Award for Landmark Land Preservation Program
Press Release
Howard County Makes Significant Strides to Help Farmers with Land Preservation with Update to Agricultural Land Preservation Program Financial Terms
Howard County Makes Significant Strides to Help Farmers with Land Preservation
Press Release
HoCo By Design, Howard County’s General Plan, Signed by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball
HoCo By Design, Howard County’s General Plan, Signed by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball
Press Release
Applications Now Being Accepted for Transformational Route 1 Tax Credit Program
Howard County Executive Ball Announces Applications Now Being Accepted for Transformational Route 1 Tax Credit Program
Press Release
Aerial Photo of Long Reach Village Center
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Requests Proposals for Long Reach Village Center Property
Press Release
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Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Announces New Departmental Appointments
Press Release
HoCo By Design logo
Howard County Planning Board Unanimously Endorses “HoCo By Design” General Plan Update
Press Release
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Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Seeks Members for Design Advisory Panel
Press Release
HoCo By Design report cover
Howard County Releases Draft “HoCo By Design” General Plan Update
Press Release
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County Executive Calvin Ball Seeks Applicants for New Landmark Land Preservation Program, in Partnership with Howard County Conservancy
Press Release
Route 1 Corridor
Howard County Executive Ball Announces Applications Now Being Accepted for Route 1 Tax Credit Program 
Press Release
cemetery
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Seeks Applicants for Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board
Press Release
Meeting room for Boards and Commissions
Howard County Executive Ball Seeks Members for Planning Board
Press Release
ECWMP lower main rendering
Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan Earns Competitive Award for Innovative Excellence
Press Release
Meeting room for Boards and Commissions
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Seeks Applicants for Historic Preservation Commission
Press Release
Virtual Meeting
Howard County Will Host Public Meeting on Historic Courthouse Redevelopment
Press Release
Solar panels
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Hosts Environment Town Hall
Press Release
Ellicott City Historic Courthouse
Howard County Announces Re-Zoning for Historic Courthouse, Request for Information on Future Use
Press Release
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Howard County Announces Request for Proposals for Columbia Flier Building Property
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County Executive Calvin Ball Announces Planning Advisory Committee Members for HoCo By Design and Public Engagement Opportunities 
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County Executive Ball Seeks Public Input on General Plan, Announces Planning Advisory Committee
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Howard County Executive Announces Public Review of Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan

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