The new Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations go into effect April 1, 2022. For a period of two years (until March 31, 2024), Applicants have the option to submit under the requirements of either the new or prior Ordinance. [Note: Review under the prior 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 (April 1, 2022) may be reviewed and decided according to the provisions of prior Ordinance.

Alternative Compliance

An alternative landscape plan to fulfill requirements in accordance with the Landscape Manual.

Alternative Development Technique*

A compatible development alternative that supports the purposes of the U-L-I zone.

Certified Nonconforming Use

A process to certify land uses and/or structures in existence that do not meet the current requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.

Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Conservation Plan

A site plan required prior to the issuance of any subdivision, grading or building permit within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Overlay Zones.

Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Rezoning

A site plan required prior to the issuance of any subdivision, grading or building permit within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Overlay Zones.

Comprehensive Design Plan*

A development plan that shows the general location, distribution, and size of proposed structures.

Conceptual Site Plan*

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.

Conservation Sketch Plan

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.

Departure

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.

Detailed Site Plan

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.

Final Plat

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.

Planning Development

A Planned Development creates project-specific zone regulations that encourage innovative land planning and site design concepts that achieve a high quality of development.

Preliminary Plan

A subdivision plan that displays the proposed division into lots, blocks, streets, alleys or other designated areas within a proposed subdivision.

Revision 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.

Special Exception

A tool to obtain relief from Zoning requirements that permit certain uses that would not otherwise be permitted in a particular zone.

Special Permit*

A review process for certain uses that have greater impacts in various Zoning districts such as U-L-I and M-U-TC.

Specific Design Plan*

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.

Vacation Petition

An area of a recorded plat of subdivision that may be vacated (abandoned) upon petition by the owner of the property.

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.

Variation

A tool to obtain relief from strict compliance with the Subdivision Regulations where conformance would result in extraordinary hardship or practice difficulties.

Zoning 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.

*Applications that only apply to review under the previous Ordinance or Legacy Zones.