Subdivision Application Types
Subdivision Application Types Details
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 Resource Inventory Plan (NRI) Application
A NRI is a detailed inventory of the existing physical and environmental conditions on a site and used in the land-use and site development planning process, which must consider impacts on a site’s natural and cultural resources.
Learn moreNatural 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 MoreType 2 Tree Conservation Plan (TCP2)
A TCP2 shows the final grading proposed on a site and the approved locations for structures, utilities, easements, stormwater management, and the limits of disturbance. TCP2s also provide details of woodland conservation and tree protection.
Learn moreSubtitle 25 Division 2 Variance Application
Applicants can request a variance from certain provisions of Subtitle 25, provided all of the required findings in Section 25-119(d) can be met, and is not less stringent than the requirements of the applicable provisions of COMAR.
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.
Certificate of Adequacy (ADQ)
A new process that confirms necessary infrastructure is built at the same time or prior to the proposed development. The request is submitted concurrently with the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision application.
Certificate of Adequacy (ADQ)Conservation Sketch Plan (SKH)
A plan used to inventory and prioritize site features for conservation for a tract of land. Site features may include but are not limited to scenic, historic, environmental, and agricultural characteristics.
Conservation Sketch Plan (SKH)Final Plat (FPS)
A final subdivision of a tract of land (in accordance with an approved preliminary plan), including all necessary engineering data to locate every street, lot, block and boundary line on the ground.
Final Plat (FPS)Preliminary Plan of Subdivision (PPS)
A subdivision plan that displays the proposed division into lots, blocks, streets, alleys or other designated areas within a proposed subdivision.
Preliminary Plan (PPS)
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)Variation
A tool to obtain relief from strict compliance with the Subdivision Regulations where conformance would result in extraordinary hardship or practice difficulties.
VariationVacation Petition
An area of a recorded plat of subdivision that may be vacated (abandoned) upon petition by the owner of the property.
Vacation Petition (VPT)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.
Alternative Compliance (ACL)
A compatible development alternative that supports the purposes of the U-L-I zone.
Alternative Compliance (ACL)Comprehensive Design Plan (CDP)**
A development plan that shows the general location, distribution, and size of proposed structures.
Comprehensive Design Plan (CDP)Conceptual Site Plan (CSP)
A development plan that displays basic relationships among the proposed uses and illustrates approximate location of structures, parking areas, streets, site access, and other major physical features.
Conceptual Site Plan (CSP)Departure (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)Detailed Site Plan (DSP)
A development plan that shows the exact proposed location and design of all buildings, structures, streets, parking lots, open spaces, landscaping, grading and other physical features within a development site.
Detailed Site Plan (DET)Specific Design Plan (SDP)
A development plan that includes proposed exact locations of lots, buildings, streets, etc. for a site plan. Architectural plans, building elevations, and detailed landscaping plans are also included.
Specific Design Plan (SDP)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.
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
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.
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area – Conservation PlanChesapeake 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 – RezoningDeparture (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(PD)
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 Development ZonesRevision of Site Plan
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)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.
VarianceZoning 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.
**Applications that only apply to review under the previous Ordinance or Legacy Zones.
