Zoning Update Project Introduction
WHAT is the Charles County Zoning Code Update?
As part of the implementation of the 2016 Charles County Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 297 of the County Code of Ordinances and Resolutions) is being updated.
WHAT is zoning?
Zoning is a set of laws that govern how private land can be used and what types of buildings may be built. For example, a zoning code may tell you how tall your house may be, whether or not you may use your property as a day-care center, or how big of a sign may be installed outside of your business. Check out the videos on this page to learn more about how zoning codes can shape our community.
WHY is Charles County updating its zoning code?
The code should reflect the comprehensive plan goals.
Charles County adopted a comprehensive plan in 2016 and is preparing to update that comprehensive plan in the near future. This zoning code update project aims to calibrate the zoning code regulations to help realize the land use goals described in the 2016 comprehensive plan.
The code is difficult to use.
Charles County’s Zoning Code can be difficult to navigate, read, interpret, and administer. This update aims to increase usability with consolidation of regulations, clarifying ambiguous terms, streamlining procedures, illustrating regulations with graphics, and using tables to display numeric standards.
The code is due for modernization.
Charles County’s Zoning Code was adopted in 1992. That over 30 years ago! And in those decades, Charles County has experienced a lot of change. The county grew from around 101,000 people in 1990 to approximately 170,000 people in 2022. Technology, business, agriculture, and commuting patterns have evolved with global economic trends. New land uses have emerged, such as agritourism, micro-breweries, and short-term rentals (i.e., AirBnBs and VRBOs). Additionally, state and federal policies have changed, including case law related to signs and free-speech protections. This update aims to modernize the code and provide strategic future-proofing for new technologies, macro-economic trends, and a changing climate.
WHAT is going to happen to my neighborhood?
No decisions have yet been made, as it is still early in the zoning code update process. However, many existing neighborhoods will retain their current character. The 2016 comprehensive plan calls out certain areas to absorb future population growth, including the Waldorf Urban Redevelopment Corridor and the Transit Corridor, in order to consolidate development to areas that are serviced by sewer, water, schools, commercial districts, to ensure efficient provision of public services, and to preserve agricultural, woodland, wetland, and coastal resources in other areas of the county.
WHEN will the new zoning code take effect?
The project is planned to begin the adoption process in July 2025. This adoption process may take several months and consists of public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.
HOW do I get engaged in this process?
You can start by learning more about the process by checking out some educational materials, such as the videos presented on this page. There will be opportunities moving forward to provide input. Public input on a zoning code update is best done after standards have been drafted. Additionally, sign up for email updates by providing your email address at the bottom of this page.
Materials for Learning
This video, produced by the Urban Institute, provides a quick primer on zoning and why it’s important.
Note: To caption this video in Spanish, click the “CC” symbol at the bottom of the video area to toggle Closed Captioning on. Then, click on the gear symbol, then on “Subtitles”, then on “Auto-translate”, then scroll and click on “Spanish”.
This video, produced by City Beautiful, provides a longer introduction to zoning. In the video, City Beautiful covers zoning maps, typical zones, the history of discrimination through zoning, mixed-use zoning, and the importance of zoning updates.
Note that this video is based in Oakland, CA, not Charles County, MD.
Note: To caption this video in Spanish, click the “CC” symbol at the bottom of the video area to toggle Closed Captioning on. Then, click on the gear symbol, then on “Subtitles”, then on “Auto-translate”, then scroll and click on “Spanish”.
This video, produced by the Center for Humane Studies, goes into more detail on the relationship between zoning and sustainability, economic development, and racism. Single-family zoning is discussed as a mechanism by which housing is made more scarce and, therefore, more expensive. The video also explores blight and urban renewal trends in the 1950s and the history of modernist trends of car-oriented development, single-family neighborhoods, and urban sprawl. Finally, the video introduces Jane Jacobs and people-centric urban design, mixed-use zoning, and Jacobs’ theory of “eyes on the street.”
Note: To caption this video in Spanish, click the “CC” symbol at the bottom of the video area to toggle Closed Captioning on. Then, click on the gear symbol, then on “Subtitles”, then on “Auto-translate”, then scroll and click on “Spanish”.