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Howard County

Planning & Zoning

The Department of Planning and Zoning ensures the orderly and sustainable growth of the County by integrating research and community engagement, and implementing policies, plans, and regulations that guide land use and development. The department facilitates 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.

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Planning & Zoning

3430 Court House Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
United States

410-313-2350
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Department Overview

 

Howard County's Planning and Zoning scenes

2025 ENERGY SAVING DAYS CLOSURES

The following upcoming dates have been selected as Energy Saving Days:

  • Friday, September 19
  • Friday, September 26

During these dates the George Howard Building will be physically closed. Department of Planning and Zoning will remain operational with our employees available by phone, email, and off-site meetings as needed.

Please plan ahead to ensure that you meet submissions deadlines. These Energy Saving Days to not impact electronic submissions. To view additional Energy Saving Days visit, http://howardcountymd.gov/energysavingdays. 

 

What's New

What's New

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Use the County's Interactive Map to find your Zoning District.
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Learn About Development
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Find information about a property in Howard County.

Online Resources

Ellicott City Mainstreet
Zoning Verification
Request a zoning verification letter.
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Zoning Regulation Relief
Apply for relief from a zoning regulation.
Howard County house
Permitted Use Confirmation
Confirm that a use is permitted on your property.
Rolled up plans
Property Site Plan
View or download a site plan for your property.
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Agricultural Preservation
Learn more about the Agricultural Land Preservation Program.
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Historic Property Information
Apply for a tax credit for or make changes to your historic property.
Alpha Ridge Aerial
Zoning FAQ
Find answers to your zoning questions.
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Land Development FAQ
Find answers to your property development questions.
View more resident resources
View more professional resources

Additional Information

Current Initiatives
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Events

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News

Find the latest news updates.

News
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Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Increases Diverse Housing Options with Pivotal Zoning Regulation Amendment Petition
Press Release
A photo of County Executive Calvin Ball and representatives from the Howard County Conservancy and Watermont Swim Club to annouce the announce the completion of the third land preservation easement through the Purchased Conservation Easement Program.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Announces Conservation of Third Easement Through Innovative Conservation Program
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Howard County Department of Planning & Zoning Releases Gateway Master Plan Public Draft for Review
Press Release
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Howard County Department of Planning & Zoning to Launch Route 1 & Route 40 Design Manual Updates
Press Release
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Howard County Establishes New Town Task Force to Inform Columbia’s Future Zoning Framework
Press Release
Gateway Master Plan logo in small
Howard County Introduces Groundbreaking Vision for Columbia Gateway Innovation District
Press Release
Gateway Master Plan logo in medium
Howard County to Unveil Pioneering Vision for Columbia Gateway Innovation District
Press Release
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Howard County Requests Proposals for New Town Task Force Facilitator
Press Release
Gateway Master Plan logo in small
Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning to Host Public Meeting to Present Options for Gateway’s Future Redevelopment
Press Release
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Howard County Establishes Adequate Public Facilities Act Review Committee
Press Release
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Howard County Collaborates with Ellicott City Partnership to Launch Façade Improvement Grants for Main Street Businesses
Press Release
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Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Establishes Affordable Housing Working Group
Press Release
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

Team

Portrait of Lynda Eisenberg
Lynda Eisenberg
Director, Department of Planning and Zoning
Mary Kendall headshot
Mary Kendall
Deputy Director, Department of Planning and Zoning
Deputy Director, Chad Edmondson
Chad Edmondson
Deputy Director, Department of Planning & Zoning

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