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
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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.
* 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.
I Want To.
Find My Zoning District
Use the County's Interactive Map to find your Zoning District.
Learn About Development
Search current projects and get notified about future projects.
File a Complaint
File a complaint or report a code violation to the County.
Search an Address
Find information about a property in Howard County.
Online Resources
Zoning Verification
Request a zoning verification letter.
Zoning Regulation Relief
Apply for relief from a zoning regulation.
Permitted Use Confirmation
Confirm that a use is permitted on your property.
Property Site Plan
View or download a site plan for your property.
Agricultural Preservation
Learn more about the Agricultural Land Preservation Program.
Historic Property Information
Apply for a tax credit for or make changes to your historic property.
Zoning FAQ
Find answers to your zoning questions.
Land Development FAQ
Find answers to your property development questions.
Additional Information
Current Initiatives/Reports
- Gateway Master Plan
- General Plan Update
- 2023 Downtown Columbia Monitoring Report
- 2023 Downtown Columbia Monitoring Report StoryMap
- Forest Conservation Manual Update
- Ellicott City Courthouse
Quick Links
- Search for Development Plans/Presubmission Meetings/Sign Code
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Subscribe to our newsletter
Receive the latest news about DPZ's planning initiatives and programs.
Events
Hearing Examiner
Howard County Listening Session with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights/Sesión de Escucha del Condado de Howard
Public Meeting on Old Scaggsville Road Complete Streets Improvement Project
Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board
News
Find the latest news updates.
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Howard County Establishes Adequate Public Facilities Act Review Committee
Press Release 08/9/2024
Howard County Collaborates with Ellicott City Partnership to Launch Façade Improvement Grants for Main Street Businesses
Press Release 07/26/2024
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Establishes Affordable Housing Working Group
Press Release 06/6/2024
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Establishes Gateway Master Plan Advisory Committee
Press Release 03/8/2024
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Secures Second Easement Under Trailblazing Conservation Program
Press Release 03/5/2024
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Launches Transformational Gateway Master Plan
Press Release 01/9/2024
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Announces Completion of Five-Year Downtown Columbia Redevelopment Monitoring Report
Press Release 01/4/2024
Howard County Earns Prestigious Maryland Sustainable Growth Award for Landmark Land Preservation Program
Press Release 01/3/2024
Howard County Makes Significant Strides to Help Farmers with Land Preservation
Press Release 12/13/2023
HoCo By Design, Howard County’s General Plan, Signed by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball
Press Release 10/19/2023
Howard County Executive Ball Announces Applications Now Being Accepted for Transformational Route 1 Tax Credit Program
Press Release 10/16/2023
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Requests Proposals for Long Reach Village Center Property
Press Release 07/27/2023
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Announces New Departmental Appointments
Press Release 06/9/2023
Howard County Planning Board Unanimously Endorses “HoCo By Design” General Plan Update
Press Release 03/15/2023
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Seeks Members for Design Advisory Panel
Press Release 01/9/2023
Howard County Releases Draft “HoCo By Design” General Plan Update
Press Release 12/1/2022
County Executive Calvin Ball Seeks Applicants for New Landmark Land Preservation Program, in Partnership with Howard County Conservancy
Press Release 11/2/2022
Howard County Executive Ball Announces Applications Now Being Accepted for Route 1 Tax Credit Program
Press Release 09/6/2022
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Seeks Applicants for Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board
Press Release 08/19/2022
Howard County Executive Ball Seeks Members for Planning Board
Press Release 04/6/2022
Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan Earns Competitive Award for Innovative Excellence
Press Release 10/22/2021
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Seeks Applicants for Historic Preservation Commission
Press Release 07/29/2021
Howard County Will Host Public Meeting on Historic Courthouse Redevelopment
Press Release 07/1/2021
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Hosts Environment Town Hall
Press Release 04/30/2021
Howard County Announces Re-Zoning for Historic Courthouse, Request for Information on Future Use
Press Release 03/8/2021
Howard County Announces Request for Proposals for Columbia Flier Building Property
Team
Lynda Eisenberg
Director, Department of Planning and Zoning
Mary Kendall
Deputy Director, Department of Planning and Zoning
Jessica Bellah
Deputy Director, Department of Planning & Zoning
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