Planning & Zoning
3430 Court House Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
United States
About
Once each decade, Howard County updates its General Plan, a long-range, visionary document that guides land use, growth, and development decisions.
On October 11, 2023, the Howard County Council passed the HoCo By Design plan. The approved Plan provides an equitable, predictable, sustainable, and achievable roadmap for Howard County’s future land use and environmental protection.
Following that, County Executive Calvin Ball signed HoCo By Design, approving the growth and development framework for the next two decades in the County. Over the coming weeks, the County's Department of Planning and Zoning, Council, and Office of Law will work together to incorporate all amendments adopted by the Council and finalize the Plan.
PlanHoward 2030
Title
The Plan
Content
PlanHoward 2030 is an update of the 2000 Howard County General Plan. The County's General Plan has historically been revised approximately every ten years (1960, 1971, 1982, 1990, 2000). Regular updates are necessary for guiding decisions related to development, land preservation, changing demographic and employment trends, neighborhood sustainability, capital projects, County services and other key issues.
Title
Amendments
Content
The Downtown Columbia Plan Amended is an amendment to PlanHoward 2030 and creates a 30-year master plan for the revitalization and redevelopment of Downtown Columbia. Specific land use, transportation, environmental, community conversation and housing policies are presented.
The Amendments Matrix documents amendments to PlanHoward 2030.
Title
Monitoring Reports
Content
Monitoring reports provide agency progress updates on PlanHoward 2030 implementation actions.
2019 Mid-Term Monitoring Report
General Plan 2000
Title
The Plan
Content
General Plan 2000 served as Howard County's comprehensive plan prior to PlanHoward 2030. The General Plan 2000 Policies Map supplements the written plan.
Title
Amendments
Content
The Downtown Columbia Plan is an amendment to the Howard County General Plan and creates a 30-year master plan for the revitalization and redevelopment of Downtown Columbia. Specific land use, transportation, environmental, community conversation and housing policies are presented.
The Howard County Water Resources Element (WRE) serves as an amendment to General Plan 2000 that adds Policies and Actions intended to ensure that the County has adequate water resource capacities to meet future growth needs through 2030.
The General Plan 2000 Amendments Matrix documents amendments to General Plan 2000.
Title
Monitoring Reports
Content
Monitoring reports describe the County's achievements on various indicators outlined in the 2000 General Plan:
1990 General Plan
Title
The Plan
Content
The 1990 General Plan served as Howard County's comprehensive plan prior to the 2000 update.