ELLICOTT CITY, MD – The Howard County Planning Board voted unanimously (5-0) to endorse key zoning code amendments designed to advance local agribusiness and agritourism opportunities and ensure that agriculture remains an economic driver in the County’s thriving economy. In their recommendations to the County Council, the Planning Board encouraged the elimination of proposed restrictions on shared use driveways and reduction of requirements that owners reside on agritourism properties. The Board also suggested extending the allowance of festival events from two to three days on holiday weekends. Together, the recommended revisions would offer even greater flexibility to the county’s farming community under this proposal.
Zoning Regulation Amendment (ZRA-217) furthers the goals of the County’s General Plan, HoCo By Design, which emphasizes the importance of supporting local farms and promoting agricultural innovation. These updates modernize the zoning code to reflect the realities of today’s farming industry while ensuring that agriculture remains central to Howard County’s character and economy.
Aligning our zoning code with the policy direction provided by HoCo By Design is an important step toward ensuring the long-term vitality of agriculture in Howard County. By updating our zoning framework, we’re giving farmers the flexibility they need to grow, diversify, and adapt in an industry facing both fiscal and environmental challenges.
The approved amendment introduces greater flexibility in land-use rules, helping farmers stay competitive and resilient. They create new opportunities for small-scale agritourism, incidental outdoor stays, and farm-based bed-and-breakfasts, providing additional revenue streams beyond traditional farm production. These updates also enable Howard County to remain competitive with other Maryland counties that already provide similar agritourism opportunities. It will allow farms throughout the County to expand beyond traditional uses and explore new ventures that keep them competitive.
In today’s economic climate, where many face financial uncertainty, farmers live with that reality every day. We work year-round, often getting “paid” only at the end of what we hope is a successful growing season—and often less than the year before. ZRA-217 helps farmers explore new or alternative revenue streams, strengthens farm income and economic stability, and helps to create opportunities that ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Howard County.
“Agriculture is a cornerstone of Howard County, and the viability of the land and its farmers are essential to our sustainability,” shared Lynda Eisenberg, Director of Planning and Zoning. “By modernizing our existing policies, we are reaffirming our long-standing commitment to our farming community.”
This amendment promotes a more balanced and sustainable approach to farming as it expands farm-based business opportunities, advances agritourism throughout the County and broadens allowable uses on easement properties, thus diversifying income streams for farmers and supporting traditional farming in perpetuity.
“Agritourism is critical for the survival of this important industry. Creating new agriculture-based opportunities will support the next generation of agriculture as it competes for the exciting businesses that are already growing in the counties that surround us. I appreciate the efforts of so many leaders in the agriculture community and within county government over the past five years to remove barriers and expand opportunities for our farming families”, said David Yungmann, County Councilmember for District 5.
Local farmer Jonathan Dickey commented, “My family is early adopters of agricultural preservation property, and I support the revisions of ZRA-217. These amendments enable us to utilize our farming facilities more effectively and continue to preserve the County’s agricultural heritage. I believe that the revisions provide much-needed flexibility toward the ability of farmers to maintain their properties and profit from the hard work required while boosting other local businesses.”
“Agriculture Zoning Regulation Amendment 217 allows Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue to expand our mission and to bring more agritourism and revenue into Howard County by permitting us to maintain a Bed and Breakfast on our 300-acre farm,” shared Jamie McIntosh, Co-Founder of Gentle Giants. “This amendment corrects conflicts that currently exist in the Zoning Regulation, which create significant restrictions on our delivery of educational opportunities to distant patrons.”
The Planning Board’s endorsement of ZRA-217 moves Howard County one step closer to a more resilient and forward-looking agricultural landscape. These updates safeguard the county’s farming legacy, while equipping local producers to meet new challenges, attract investment, and continue to shape a thriving, sustainable agricultural economy for generations to come.
ZRA-217 will be submitted to the County Council for legislative adoption in the coming months.