Comprehensive Plans

Welcome to Maryland Comprehensive Plans Online

This website is a service of the Maryland Department of Planning to help the residents better understand the comprehensive planning process. Each of us is an important stakeholder who helps shape the landscape of our neighborhoods, cities, towns and State. As development pressure increases and irreplaceable resource lands are lost, it is vital that Maryland grows smarter and more sustainably through a more collaborative and informed public process.

We hope that you become familiar with your comprehensive plan, attend posted public hearings and weigh in on local planning and development decisions affecting you and your community. Your active participation is a critical component of the local planning process.

The Maryland Department of Planning’s Review of Comprehensive Plans

As the land use planning and policy arm of the State, the Maryland Department of Planning promotes growth that fosters vibrant, livable communities, preserves and protects the environment, and makes efficient use of State resources. We work closely with Maryland's counties and municipalities in visioning and guiding where and how future development, revitalization and preservation will occur.

The Department, on behalf of the State, reviews comprehensive plans for consistency with the State's Smart Growth and growth management laws, specifically, Land Use Article, Economic Growth Resource Protection and Planning Act of 1992, the 1997 Priority Funding Areas Act, and the requirements of HB 1141 and HB 2 from the 2006 Maryland General Assembly.

• Land Use Article
• Economic Growth Resource Protection and Planning Act of 1992
• The 1997 Priority Funding Areas Act
• Requirements of the 2006 Planning Legislation: HB 1141, Land Use-Local Government Planning, and HB2, the Agricultural Stewardship Act

Our review and comment on local plans are provided to counties and municipalities as guidance to insure local plans reflect the best possible land management policies and practices. The Department's comments are posted on this website prior to the draft plan's scheduled public hearing. The public is invited to participate in crafting the vision, goals and priorities for their community.

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