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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.

Contact Us
Planning & Zoning

3430 Court House Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
United States

410-313-2350
Email Us

Department Overview

Please be advised that the Department of Planning and Zoning will close at 11:30am on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 for an Departmental Employee Retreat and will return to normal operations on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 8:00am.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

For questions, please call 410-313-2350 or email planning@howardcountymd.gov

 

 

Howard County's Planning and Zoning scenes

Recent News

* Howard County has launched the Gateway Master Plan effort. Join us on September 18 at the Gateway Master Plan Options Public Meeting to hear about the plan options for the redevelopment of Gateway and give your input. Click here for more information.

* Adequate Public Facilities Review Committee new web page is live! 

* NACo Award: The Nation Association of Counties has recognized the County's General Plan, HoCo By Design, as Best in Category! Read more here.  

* An Affordable Housing Working Group, tasked with recommending goals and criteria for a targeted incentive program for affordable and accessible housing in the County, has convened. Click here to learn more. 

* New Policy Memorandum regarding Forest Conservation. Click here to read them.

What's New

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Use the County's Interactive Map to find your Zoning District.
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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.
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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.
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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

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Events

Events
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News

Find the latest news updates.

News
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
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

Team

Lynda Eisenberg, Director, Department of Planning and Zoning
Lynda Eisenberg
Director, Department of Planning and Zoning
Mary Kendall headshot
Mary Kendall
Deputy Director, Department of Planning and Zoning
Jessica Bellah
Jessica Bellah
Deputy Director, Department of Planning & Zoning

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