Authority For Local Planning - Article 66B

The State of Maryland entrusts local jurisdictions with land use planning authority. Article 66B of the Maryland Annotated Code delegates planning and land use regulatory authority to all noncharter counties and all incorporated municipalities outside of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, as well as specifically identified towns within these two jurisdictions (Barnesville, Brookeville, Gaithersburg, Laytonsville, Poolesville, Rockville, Washington Grove, and Laurel).

This statute enables local government to guide growth and development; outlines the responsibilities, roles, and functions of the planning commission; and sets the “ground rules” for operations. Many sections of Article 66B apply to all jurisdictions in the State that exercise planning and zoning powers. Article 25A delegates planning and land use powers to six charter counties (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Talbot, and Wicomico). Article 28 applies to Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and to all incorporated towns within those two counties not covered by Article 66B.

For the full text of the law see Michie's Legal Resources

Click here for a printable PDF of Article 66B

Planning Commission Education Course

The Smart and Sustainable Growth Act of 2009 passed in the 2009 session of the Maryland General Assembly requires local jurisdiction’s (county or municipal) Planning Commission/Board and Board of Appeals members to complete an education course on or before July 1, 2010. The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) has developed this online course as a result of this new law.

For more information on the course please click here.