Zoning Administration

Upon petition by the property owner, the Department of Planning and Zoning may grant an adjustment from the provisions of the bulk regulations in an amount not to exceed 20% of a stated bulk requirement. This authority  does not apply to those portions of the bulk regulations which control density or minimum lot size.

The Department of Planning and Zoning may also adjust a district map line to follow a lot line, road, river or other clear boundary if certain findings can be made.

Procedures for an Administrative Adjustment:

The Department of Planning and Zoning holds a public hearing for an Administrative Adjustment petition in accordance with Section 100.0.H of the Zoning Regulations. The decision of the Department is appealable to the Howard County Board of Appeals in bulk regulation adjustment cases and to the Zoning Board in district map line adjustment cases. All appeals to the Board of Appeals or the Zoning Board are heard on a de novo basis. You can find the Rules of Procedures for DPZ Administrative Adjustments here.

*Administrative Adjustment to the Bulk Regulations – as of June 28, 2024, Administrative Adjustment petition applicants must use the PDox Web Tool. For help with PDox, please start at the DPZ PDox website.

Section 130.0 outlines the powers of the Hearing Authority.  Among these powers, the Hearing Authority is permitted to grant variances from parking requirements and bulk regulations. Petitions for Residential and Commercial variances are first submitted to the Department of Planning and Zoning for processing and scheduling of a hearing.

*Non-Residential Variance Petition - as of June 28, 2024, Non-Residential Variance petition applicants must use the PDox Web Tool. For help with PDox, please start at the DPZ PDox website.

*Residential District Variance Petition - as of June 28, 2024, Residential District Variance petition applicants must use the PDox Web Tool. For help with PDox, please start at the DPZ PDox website.

Upon petition by the property owner, the Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning may authorize a temporary use of land in any district. A temporary use may be authorized for a period not exceeding 90 days. Up to four extensions of the temporary use may be granted by the Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning for periods not exceeding 90 days each, up to a maximum total limit of one year. You can find the Rules of Procedures for DPZ Temporary Use Petitions here.

*Temporary Use Permit Application - as of June 28, 2024, Temporary Use petition applicants must use the PDox Web Tool. For help with PDox, please start at the DPZ PDox website.

Uses that are generally appropriate and compatible in a specified zoning district can be authorized as a Conditional Use by the Hearing Authority. Conditional Uses are subject to Section 131.0 of the Zoning Regulations as well as any additional conditions imposed by the Hearing Authority upon approval of the proposed Conditional Use.

Conditional Use Process

Presubmission Community Meeting Instructions

Presubmission Community Meeting

*Conditional Use Petition - as of June 28, 2024, Conditional Use petition applicants must use the PDox Web Tool. For help with PDox, please start at the DPZ PDox website.

Nonconforming Uses, or uses that existed lawfully prior to the current Zoning Regulations but are no longer permitted, are addressed in Section 129.0 of the Zoning Regulations.

The Department of Planning and Zoning may conduct a public hearing and confirm the existence of a nonconforming use based on review of a Petition by the property owner. You can find the Rules of Procedures for DPZ Nonconforming Use Petitions here.

*Nonconforming Use Confirmation Petition - as of June 28, 2024, Nonconforming Use petition applicants must use the PDox Web Tool. For help with PDox, please start at the DPZ PDox website.

Certain nonconforming uses, including contractor or storage yards and uses which are principally associated with motor vehicles, construction equipment or farm equipment, now located in the Continuing Light Industrial (CLI) Overlay District, may be eligible for conversion to a permitted use.  The criteria for eligibility are found on the Non-Conforming Use CLI Application.

The Hearing Authority may confirm and authorize the extension or enlargement of a nonconforming use or the alteration of outdoor use areas of a structure containing a nonconforming use, with or without conditions, based on upon a Petition by the property owner.

*Hearing Authority Non-Conforming Use Petition - as of June 28, 2024, Non-Conforming Use petition applicants must use the PDox Web Tool. For help with PDox, please start at the DPZ PDox website.

The Department of Planning and Zoning is required to conduct Public Hearings in accordance with Section 100.0.H of the Zoning Regulations. At least 15 days prior to the hearing for Division hearings, or at least 30 days prior to the hearing for Hearing Examiner hearings; the property which is the subject of the hearing shall be posted with the date, time and place of the hearing. All hearings are scheduled and held as hybrid meetings (Attend in person at the George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City or virtually via Webex).

For Hearing Examiner hearings, a link to attend virtually will be available on the Hearing Examiner web page prior to the hearing date at: Hearing-Examiner

For Division hearings, a link to attend virtually will be available on the Zoning Administration web page prior to the hearing date at: Zoning Administration

The Department of Planning and Zoning prepares and maintains an official record of the proceedings for each petition, including exhibits presented at the hearing. Click to view a list of upcoming hearings.