Subdivision Application Types
The following application types include all the case types reviewed under the new and prior Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations.*
Environmental
To protect the natural environment during the land development process, applications are evaluated for impact on woodlands, wildlife habitats, green infrastructure, streams, floodplains, wetlands, unsafe soils, noise, and rare, threatened, and endangered species habitats. Staff also identify appropriate measures to mitigate the proposed impacts.
Natural Resources Inventory – Equivalency Letter Application (NRI-EL)
Certain applications qualify for a NRI-EL, including sites that either contain no regulated environmental features, as defined by Subtitle 24 and 27, or no regulated environmental features will be disturbed. Refer to the 2018 Environmental Technical Manual for full details on qualifying for a NRI-EL.
Learn MoreWoodland Conservation Ordinance Exemption Letter (WCO-Ex) Application
Letters of exemption from the Woodland Conservation Ordinance may be granted for certain properties or activities only if the property does not have a previously approved tree conservation plan. The conditions and requirements for exemptions are outlined in the Environmental Technical Manual.
Learn MoreExpedited Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD)
Created to expedite and incentivize transit-oriented development projects within the County, these site plan applications will be available online within 14 calendar days after the date of submittal.
Subdivision
Preliminary plans are reviewed to ensure that adequate public facilities are available, or will be available in the future, to serve the proposed development. Final plats, reservation plats, and vacation petitions include all pertinent engineering data necessary to locate every street, lot, block, and boundary on the ground.
Subdivision Ordinance Interpretation (SOI)
Subdivision Ordinance Interpretation (SOI) is a new process to provide formal written interpretations of any provision of the Subdivision Regulations. Interpretations may be of either the Subdivision Regulations text, Subdivision Standards, compliance with conditions of approval, or other provisions in the Subdivision Regulations. SOIs may be initiated by any person having a contractual interest in land in the County.
Subdivision Ordinance Interpretation (SOI)Urban Design
Applications take into consideration the area between and around site development to better organize physical space and community environments and are reviewed for compliance with the Landscape Manual.
Zoning
Applications are reviewed for adherence to the Zoning Ordinance. The review often takes into consideration the reasonable use and unique physical characteristics of an individual property to facilitate responsible development.
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area – Rezoning
A zoning map amendment used solely for establishing or amending 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.
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area – RezoningZoning Map Amendment
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 Way (ROW)Zoning 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)*The new Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations went into effect on April 1, 2022. For two years (until March 31, 2024), Applicants have the option to submit under the requirements of either the new or old Ordinance. [Note: Review under the old Ordinance requires a Pre-Application Conference and Statement of Justification to explain why the applicant has not chosen to develop under the provisions of the new Ordinance.]
Any application accepted prior to the effective date of the new Ordinance will be reviewed and decided in accordance with the provisions of the previous Ordinance. See the Transitional Provisions Quick Reference for more information.
**Applications that only apply to review under the previous Ordinance or Legacy Zones.
