Comprehensive Zoning

Comprehensive zoning is the process of updating the zoning map and zoning code to help achieve County and community goals.

In Maryland, zoning must be consistent with planned land use, therefore most of the proposed zoning changes are to align with the adopted Plan2040 Planned Land Use Map, which the County Council adopted in May 2021. There may also be updates initiated by property owners who apply to change their zoning, and there may be additional updates proposed by County staff and community stakeholders as part of the Region Plan process.

The County will conduct comprehensive zoning in tandem with Region Plans. Regions 2, 4, and 7 will undergo comprehensive zoning starting in 2023. Sign up to receive updates via email about the comprehensive zoning process.

For more information on the Region Planning process, see the Region Plans hubsites.

Zoning is a tool used to guide how land is developed or preserved. The zoning map classifies land in the County into zoning districts where different types of land uses, such as residential, commercial, and industrial, are allowed. The zoning code includes a set of bulk regulations, such as lot coverage, density, and building height, that help determine the form of development. 

The generalized Zoning Map gives a quick view of how the County has been zoned. For the zoning of individual properties you may check the MyAnneArundel App. For more information about comprehensive zoning, please refer to County Code ยง 18-2-106.

  1. The Office of Planning and Zoning will release a draft zoning map for public review. This map will include consistency changes that ensure that zoning aligns with planned land use, as well as some changes that may be initiated by OPZ staff and the Region Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committees.
  2. Applicants who are interested in a zoning change in Regions 2, 4, and 7, will submit information through the comprehensive zoning application on the Region hubsite. This information will include parcel maps, a justification for the zoning, and contact information, among other requirements. 
  3. The Office of Planning and Zoning will review applications and make recommendations for their approval or denial.
  4. Region Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committees will review applications and make recommendations for approval or denial.
  5. The Office of Planning and Zoning will update the map and release the Preliminary draft Region Plan, including the draft zoning map, for public review and comment. Staff will review public comments and update the preliminary draft plan and maps. 
  6. The Planning Advisory Board (PAB) will review the draft Region Plan, including the zoning map. The PAB will make recommendations on the plan and on zoning map changes. Staff will update the Planning Advisory Board draft plan and maps and prepare a final recommended draft plan and zoning map.
  7. The County Council will review the draft Region Plan, including the zoning map. Council has final authority to amend and adopt the draft Region Plan and zoning map.

The public will have multiple opportunities to review and comment on proposed updates. In addition to the generalized review windows outlined below, staff will hold drop-in sessions in each Region where the public can review and comment on the draft maps in person.
 

Zoning Process Graphic
  1. The Office of Planning and Zoning will complete a comprehensive review of the zoning map and make recommendations to provide consistency with the adopted planned land use map, as well as some changes that may be initiated by OPZ staff based on community feedback and to advance the goals and strategies of Plan2040.
  2. The Office of Planning and Zoning will solicit zoning change request applications through a tool on the Region 1, 3, and 9 Hub sites. This information will include parcel maps, a justification for the zoning, and contact information, among other requirements. 
  3. The Office of Planning and Zoning will review applications and make an initial recommendation for approval or denial for the Region Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committees (SACs) to review.
  4. The Office of Planning and Zoning will prepare a preliminary draft zoning map to share with the Region Plan SACs. The SACs will review the preliminary draft zoning map and provide recommendations on the proposed changes.
  5. The Office of Planning and Zoning will make recommended update and release the preliminary draft zoning map for public review and comment. Staff will review public comments, update and release a zoning map for the Planning Advisory Board (PAB) review and deliberation. 
  6. The PAB will review the draft Region Plan, along with the updated comprehensive zoning map. The PAB will make recommendations on the plan and on comprehensive zoning map changes. Staff will update the PAB draft plans and map and prepare final recommended draft plans and a zoning map.
  7. The County Council will review the final recommended draft Region Plans and the zoning map. The Council has final authority to amend and adopt the draft Region Plans and zoning map.

The public will have multiple opportunities to review and comment on proposed updates to zoning in Regions 1, 3, and 9. In addition to the generalized review windows outlined below, staff will hold drop-in sessions in each Region where the public can review and comment on the draft map in person.

Graphic

During Round 1, covering Regions 2, 4, and 7, property owners and representatives submitted zoning change applications closer to the end of the schedule for the region planning process. In Round 2, covering Regions 1, 3, and 9, zoning change applications are being accepted near the beginning of the process. OPZ identified this change from Round 1 to allow for additional time to comprehensively review and analyze the zoning maps earlier in the process. This is accomplished by moving the property owner application period closer to the beginning of the process. The change also contributes to a reduction of the overall schedule for Round 2 Region Plans, from 36 months to 24 months. Only properties located in Regions 1, 3, and 9 are eligible to request a zoning change at this time; property owners in the remaining three Regions (5, 6, and 8) will have an opportunity to apply for changes when those Region Plans reach this step of the process in Fall 2024.

Comprehensive zoning typically occurs after a comprehensive planning process such as the General Development Plan or smaller area master plans. Anne Arundel County adopted its first zoning map in 1952. The County has conducted comprehensive zoning four times since then:

  • First Comprehensive Zoning: 1972 - 1976
  • Second Comprehensive Zoning: 1985 - 1989
  • Third Comprehensive Zoning: 2000 - 2007 (as part of Small Area Plans)
  • Fourth Comprehensive Zoning: 2011

See the Comprehensive Zoning FAQ for answers to questions related to comprehensive zoning. If you have further questions, email LRP-OPZ@aacounty.org.