The Maryland Department of Planning's (MDP) 2018 Land Use Map is a statewide dataset illustrating the general location and residential density of developed lands, including residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and other urban areas. This map was compiled using parcel polygons and tax assessment data from early 2020 and integrated with the Chesapeake Bay Program's 2017/18 Land Use Land Cover (CBP LULC) data (2022 Edition). It incorporates feedback and localized data from county and municipal jurisdictions while adhering to statewide classification definitions. Released as a beta version, this map aligns with 2018 National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery and serves as a reference for general planning purposes.

To learn more information about Land Use products, visit the Statewide Land Use Update StoryMap and the Land Use Map Viewer.

Priority Funding Areas (PFAs) are strategic locations identified by local governments in Maryland where the state prioritizes investments to support future economic growth and development. GAM assists in reviewing PFA designations requests and maintains the statewide PFA spatial dataset.

To view more information about Priority Funding Areas, visit the MDP Priority Funding Areas Application.

In Maryland, each local jurisdiction is responsible for its own zoning, with the exception of certain municipalities that do not exercise planning and zoning authority. This creates hundreds of unique zoning categories throughout the state making it difficult to see the big picture of zoning in Maryland. To aid regional and state-level planning purposes, MDP classified zoning districts under three main groups—Rural, Residential, and Other—which are further broken down into 11 distinct Generalized Zoning Categories. These categories are based on the criteria, intent, and allowable density of local districts.

The 2025 update aggregated county-level zoning map updates, text amendments, zoning overhauls, and municipal annexations. To learn more about Maryland Generalized Zoning, visit the Generalized Zoning Comparison tool and Generalized Zoning Update StoryMap.

The ENOUGH Grant Program is a Maryland state initiative providing funding for anti-poverty initiatives in urban, suburban, and rural communities statewide.

The Geospatial Data and Analysis (GDA) team created two web mapping applications to support the Governor's Office for Children (GOC) by helping applicants identify and define geographic areas that meet the ENOUGH Grant Program's specific requirements.

To view the web map application GAM assisted the GOC on, please visit the ENOUGH Grant Program: Community Eligibility Map.

GDA conducts an annual Protected Lands update by collecting and aggregating local preservation data from all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City into a standardized GIS format. By aligning county-submitted data with data standards established Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) and the Chesapeake Bay Program, GAM provides a comprehensive statewide dataset essential for tracking progress toward Maryland's conservation goals. Our data is hosted on iMap and includes local protected lands, Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), and Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) data.

To view more information about Protected Lands data, visit the Statewide Local Protected Lands Application and the Statewide Local Protected Lands Update StoryMap.

The Maryland Protected Lands Dashboard displays tabular information on progress toward the Statewide 30% by 2030 Land Conservation Goal, Total Preserved Acres, Protected Lands Acres by Category, and other information.

Maryland's Rural Legacy Program provides funding to preserve large, contiguous tracts of land and to enhance natural resources, agricultural, forestry and environmental protection while supporting a sustainable land base for natural resource-based industries. The GAM unit supports the annual review of funding applications by analyzing land stability within Rural Legacy Areas. Land stability can affect land preservation efforts. Specifically, GAM assesses fragmentation due to subdivision activity, vulnerability to development under zoning and related regulations, and threat from development pressure.

Our sewer service area dataset compiles county-submitted Sewer Plan updates and amendments, maps them, and generalizes the service areas into the following categories: Existing, Planned, Future Service, No Planned Service. It is updated on an as-needed basis and used in various departmental analyses including Tier Map analyses, PFA law, and the Bay Restoration Fund analysis and report.

To view our sewer service data please visit Finder Online.

MDP is a statutory member of the Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee (BRFAC). Each calendar year, MDP contributes to the BRF Annual Report. GAM conducts an analysis on the impact that Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) -upgraded Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) may have on growth in the municipalities and counties in which the facility is located. Growth is measured before and after ENR updates within existing sewer service area boundaries and Priority Funding Areas. These findings help assess changes in growth patterns, the capacity of the upgraded facility to meet the demands of current and future users, and possible changes in development patterns that could be influenced by upgrades.

Transit Station Area Profile Tool (TSAPT)

The Transit Station Area Profile Tool (TSAPT) is an interactive application designed to provide planners and the public with statewide data for Maryland's rail transit stations, supporting informed decision-making for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). TOD is a land-use strategy that creates dense, walkable, mixed-use communities centered around high-quality public transportation. This approach maximizes access to transit, reduces reliance on personal vehicles, and fosters economic growth by integrating housing, jobs, and retail within a convenient distance of station hubs.

The tool summarizes land use, generalized zoning, and ridership data, along with detailed Station Area Profiles (demographic, socioeconomic, market-based information) sourced from Esri's Business Analyst, within tiered buffers (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 mile) around each station. This comprehensive dataset helps users assess existing conditions and identify development opportunities.

TOD in Maryland Hub

MDP staff are supporting a multi-agency update to the Transit-Oriented Development in Maryland web page. This update will align the planning resource with the state of Maryland's new priorities including using transit-oriented development (TOD) to create affordable housing and promote sustainable growth. Transit-Oriented Development in Maryland clarifies state agency roles and provides links to relevant geospatial data and applications. This collaborative effort features content from the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Commerce, the Department of General Services, and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation.

Transit-Oriented Development as a Redevelopment Tool StoryMap

The "Transit-Oriented Development as a Redevelopment Tool" StoryMap showcases Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) grant-funded projects near rail transit. It also serves as a planning resource to encourage local jurisdictions to pursue affordable housing and mixed-use development opportunities in these areas.

This StoryMap is one product of the continued collaboration between MDP, MDOT, and DHCD, who partner on affordable housing initiatives and policies.

Planning Tools for Transit-Oriented Development

The Maryland Department of Planning has created a comprehensive online planning and implementation resource called Planning Tools for Transit-Oriented Development to support state and local transit-oriented development (TOD) efforts. The online resource provides tools for planners, elected officials, real estate professionals and the public interested in advancing TOD in their jurisdictions.