Zoning
Zoning Details
Zoning is like the rulebook for how land is used and buildings are designed in a community. It decides things like how many buildings can be in one area, prevents incompatible uses next to each other, and allows more people to live in one place. However, it does not control specific brands of businesses, force certain businesses to move in, limit the number of cars in a neighborhood, or dictate architectural styles.
When people want to build or use land, their plans are checked to make sure they follow the Zoning Ordinance – the law that says what can be built and where. The zoning review phase of the development review process considers the reasonable use and unique features of each property to encourage responsible development.
Zoning applications are submitted for changing zoning maps, allowing special uses, granting exceptions, issuing permits, certifying existing uses, and allowing deviations. Applications are reviewed for adherence to the Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations. The review often considers the reasonable use and unique physical characteristics of a property to facilitate responsible development.
Types of Zoning Applications
Certification of Nonconforming Use (CNC)
A process to certify land uses and/or structures in existence that do not meet the current requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.
Certification of Nonconforming Use (CNC)Chesapeake Bay Critical Area – Conservation Plan (CBCA)
A plan, superimposed over the underlying zones, to minimize adverse impacts on water quality and protect fish, wildlife, and plant habitats in and around the Chesapeake Bay.
View Chesapeake Bay planDeparture (MND/MJD)
A tool to obtain relief from the strict application of the Landscape Manual, sign regulations, or the design of parking and loading facilities and the number of parking and loading spaces required.
Departures (MND/MJD)Planned Development
An application to create project-specific zone regulations that encourage innovative land planning and site design concepts that achieve a high quality of development.
Planned DevelopmentRevision of Site Plan (ROSP)
A site plan to show any new or altered site features or structures and associated uses to ensure compatibility with a previous-approved Special Exception.
Revision of Site Plan (ROSP)Special Exception (SPE)
A tool to obtain relief from Zoning requirements that permit certain uses that would not otherwise be permitted in a particular zone.
Special Exception (SPE)Special Permit (SP)
A review process for certain uses that have greater impacts in various Zoning districts such as U-L-I and M-U-TC.
Special Permit (SP)Zoning Map Amendment (ZMA)
A change to a conventional zone by the District Council. The District Council must determine that there has either been a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood or that a mistake was made either in the original zoning or the most recent sectional map amendment.
Zoning Map Amendment (ZMA)Permit within Proposed Right of Way (ROW)
In some cases, an applicant may request a permit for the construction of a structure such as a sign, gas station canopy, parking lot, or site work within a planned future right-of-way, with the understanding that the right-of-way may eventually be built or expanded into the area. This process provides a review of these structures and determines if they are appropriate based on established standards.
Permit Within Proposed Right of WayZoning Ordinance Interpretation (ZOI)
Zoning Ordinance Interpretation (ZOI) is a new process to provide formal written interpretations of any provision of the Zoning Ordinance. Interpretations may be of either the ordinance text, zone boundary, compliance with conditions of approval, whether an unlisted use is comparable to a listed use (i.e., should it be allowed or prohibited in a zone), or other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. ZOIs may be initiated by any person having a contractual interest in land in the County.
Zoning Ordinance Interpretation (ZOI)Other Tools
Variance
A tool to obtain relief from the strict application of the Zoning Ordinance where conformance would result in unusual practical difficulties or undue hardship for the owner of the property.
VarianceChesapeake Bay Critical Area (CBCA) – Rezoning
Used to establish or amend the County’s Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Overlay to protect the sensitive environmental resources of the Chesapeake Bay while also respecting the rights of landowners.
CBCA – RezoningResources
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