About
ProjectDox is an online tool that streamlines the process of plan submission, review, approval, and tracking. It enables collaboration between agencies, allowing them to review and mark up plans, share comments, and identify potential conflicts. With automatic task notifications and plan routing, ProjectDox aims to improve efficiency and reduce review cycle time.
Visit ProjectDox
Use ProjectDox to submit development and subdivision plans, redline existing plans, or submit a zoning or waiver petition.
What's New?
On June 28th, Howard County performed a major upgrade to its ProjectDox software and implemented new plan submission standards for applicants.
The following are notable changes that have been implemented:
- Applicants now submit development plan applications from within ProjectDox. Applications are no longer available on the Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ’s) website. User guides for how to submit new plans are available below in the “Getting Started” section.
- Subdivision and Land Development Alternative Compliance applications are now submitted from within ProjectDox.
- Redlines are now submitted from within ProjectDox.
- All petition submissions for Zoning, such as Variances, Nonconforming Uses, and Zoning Map Amendments, are now submitted from within ProjectDox.
- Drawings submitted for all DPZ submissions must be in PDF format. DPZ will no longer accept DWG and other formats that are not PDF. PDFs should be flattened to help make uploading and storage more efficient. Reports, checklists, and other non-drawing items will still be accepted in their native formats.
- The Applicant’s response to changemarks and comments in ProjectDox must be completed by the dedicated Review tab and Resubmission task window. The ability to reply within drawings has been disabled and submissions of comments/responses as their own file are no longer accepted. This change has been implemented to help streamline the review process and keep responses in a consistent location in every plan. This will also preserve all review comments and replies within the Review tab for easy reporting and archiving of completed plan reviews.
- Anyone needing help with submissions can visit DPZ’s front desk (located on the 1st floor of the George Howard Building) and have a member of DPZ assist with online submissions at the front desk kiosk.
- Planning and Zoning is unable to accept documents signed with the Adobe E-Signature software as it is not compatible with our processes.
Plan Applications
To access applications for submission, please visit the ProjectDox website. Applications can be made using the Services section in ProjectDox.
For pertinent information regarding the submission materials, please review the below user guides and checklists for the applicable plan type.
- End User Guide
- A comprehensive guide for all things ProjectDox. For "View Only" users (users who are only accessing projects to view files and information, not perform tasks) see page 13 for the section on "Project View- Entering a Project"
- User Requirements
- The technical specifications for users in order to access ProjectDox and to view files
- Applicant Quick Guide
- This guide focuses on the Applicant experience and details how to upload files, complete tasks, and respond to review comments
- Coordinator Quick Guide
- This guide is for Intake Coordinators performing plan creation and management tasks
- Plan Reviewer First Review Quick Guide
- This guide helps Department Reviewers to perform their initial (first) review, including adding changemarks and using the Reviews tab, during the plan review cycle
- Plan Reviewer Subsequent Review Quick Guide
- This guide is for Department Reviewers performing subsequent reviews after the first review cycle and deals with issues like versioning, overlaying files, and viewing changemarks from prior review cycles
Development Plan Checklists
ProjectDox Processing Requirements
ProjectDox System Requirements
- Submissions MUST be in PDF format
- Paper space should include all notes, tables, charts, images, sketches, etc.
- Model space should only contain existing & proposed features
- Fonts should be AUTOCAD Standards
- Paper space sheet should be in a separate CAD file
- Scale in paper space should be between 1" = 10' to 1" = 50'
- Paper space should be printable on 24" x 36" sheet for ECP's, Road Construction Drawings/Supplemental Plans, Water and Sewer Plans and SDP's, and on a 18" x 24" sheet for plats
File Naming Convention
- Plan sheets must have specific sheet numbers with two digits & names (ex: C-01_CoverSheet; C-02_Sediment Control, etc.)
- Reports/Exhibits should have specific file numbers and names. (ex: SDP-09-001_SWMReport; SDP-90-001_PhotoExhibit,etc.)
- Estimates should maintain the file name given when downloading from the checklist.
- For files to version in ProjectDox the naming convention of the files must not change over any subsequent submission. During a resubmission, ProjectDox will provide video instructions on how to correctly version files.
Electronic Signature Process:
All development plans that are signed, except final subdivision plats, are processed electronically through the ProjectDox workflow. Once the project is technically complete or approvable and the developers agreement and/or declaration of covenants process is complete (if applicable), the applicant can upload the original plan to ProjectDox for County signatures. The upload must meet the following standards.
- 24” x 36” with ½” border along all edges of the plan.
- Plans must be in PDF format. PDFs should be flattened to help make uploading and storage more efficient.
- Electronic plans requiring seals and signatures of State licensed individuals must meet the overall criteria for digital signatures provided in the Code of Maryland Regulations 09.23.03.09 and be verified or 3rd party verifiable.
Mylar Signature Process:
Final Subdivision Plats are processed by submission of a physical Mylar for wet seal and signatures. The final plat must meet the following standards.
- 18" x 24" with ½” border along all edges of the plat.
- No information or numbers shall be placed within the borders, except the assigned County file number. When more than 1 sheet is required, a sheet index chart shall be provided on sheet 1. All sheets in the set will be numbered as in this example (i.e.: Sheet 1 of 5, etc.).
- Be made of durable, reproducible mylar material. No sepia paper, tracing paper, etc., will be accepted.
- Not be pieced, spliced, have "stick-ons" or "press-type" lettering.
- On all sheets, have original seal and signature of the Maryland registered professional engineer/surveyor/architect(s) authorized by appropriate section of Annotated Code of Maryland to prepare the specified plan.
- Have on the appropriate sheets of the plan the original signature(s) of owner/developer/engineer and any required certificates.
- All required signatures and seals on the original drawings shall be in permanent ink. Water soluble felt tip pens and similar instruments shall not be used.
Signature Forms for Applications
Environmental Concept Plan
Simplified Environmental Concept Plan: The Simplified Environmental Concept Plan process is for projects that do not require a plat or site development plan. The Simplified ECP should be submitted as a .pdf file. The plan should generally meet the criteria listed in the ECP Checklist and shall contain sediment and erosion control, forest conservation, and stormwater management. This plan should be emailed to Jeff Pickett in the Development Engineering Division using the button below.
Sketch Plan
Preliminary Plan
Preliminary Equivalent Sketch Plan
Preliminary Water & Sewer Plans
Final Subdivision Plan & Plat
Site Development Plan
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Water and Sewer Final Plan Checklist (if final water & sewer is with SDP)
Forest Conservation Forms
Alternative Compliance Petition
To request alternative compliance to the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations.
Engineering Design Manual Waivers are processed by paper application to the Development Engineering Division. Please visit the Alternative Compliance webpage for more information.
Zoning Petitions
Beginning June 28, 2024, the Department of Planning & Zoning will be accepting all Zoning Petitions through its Project Dox (PDox) online plan submission system. The petition information requirements and the hearings procedures will remain the same.
For these zoning petitions, there will be a two-step process:
- The first step involves entering the petition application information into the ProjectDox webpage.
- After the project data has been entered into the online form, you will be notified through email to complete the second step and upload the necessary documents to complete the petition application.
Depending on the petition type, uploads may include a Petition Plan, Owners Authorization, Supplemental Information, Affidavit of Posting, and Affidavits of Contributions. All uploads must be in PDF format and uploaded into the applicable folder. For any required or supplemental material that are uploaded, three (3) hard copies of the required or supplemental material must be submitted.
Please select the link below to access the Petition Submittal Guide for each petition type.
Zoning Petition Submission Requirements
Who To Contact
If you require assistance with ProjectDox or have questions about the plan and permit review process, please contact:
Subdivision & Development Plans | Alternative Compliance
Julia Sauer - 410-313-4342
Water & Sewer Plans | Redlines
Jeff Pickett - 410-313-3363
Zoning Petitions
Peter Conrad - 410-313-4352
Building Permits
Debbie Whalen - 410-313-3943
Moriah Jayjock- 410-313-3944
ProjectDox Software
James Wilkerson - 410-313-4362
Lisa Kenney - 410-313-4373
