Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 1-201
Redline — January 1, 2020 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2026
As of January 1, 2020
In addition to the requirements of § 3–201(a) and (b) of this article, a planning commission shall implement the following visions through the comprehensive plan described in Title 3 of this article:
(1) quality of life and sustainability: a high quality of life is achieved through universal stewardship of the land, water, and air resulting in sustainable communities and protection of the environment;
(a) (1) The planning principles under subsection (b) of this section are collectively intended to create sustainable communities and to protect the environment in order to foster a high quality of life for all residents of the State.
(2) public participation: citizens are active partners in the planning and implementation of community initiatives and are sensitive to their responsibilities in achieving community goals;
(2) To accomplish the goals under paragraph (1) of this subsection, residents should be active partners in the planning and implementation of community initiatives and sensitive to their responsibilities as stewards in balancing and achieving community goals.
(3) growth areas: growth is concentrated in existing population and business centers, growth areas adjacent to these centers, or strategically selected new centers;
(4) community design: compact, mixed–use, walkable design consistent with existing community character and located near available or planned transit options is encouraged to ensure efficient use of land and transportation resources and preservation and enhancement of natural systems, open spaces, recreational areas, and historical, cultural, and archaeological resources;
(5) infrastructure: growth areas have the water resources and infrastructure to accommodate population and business expansion in an orderly, efficient, and environmentally sustainable manner;
(6) transportation: a well–maintained, multimodal transportation system facilitates the safe, convenient, affordable, and efficient movement of people, goods, and services within and between population and business centers;
(7) housing: a range of housing densities, types, and sizes provides residential options for citizens of all ages and incomes;
(8) economic development: economic development and natural resource–based businesses that promote employment opportunities for all income levels within the capacity of the State’s natural resources, public services, and public facilities are encouraged;
(9) environmental protection: land and water resources, including the Chesapeake and coastal bays, are carefully managed to restore and maintain healthy air and water, natural systems, and living resources;
(10) resource conservation: waterways, forests, agricultural areas, open space, natural systems, and scenic areas are conserved;
(11) stewardship: government, business entities, and residents are responsible for the creation of sustainable communities by collaborating to balance efficient growth with resource protection; and
(12) implementation: strategies, policies, programs, and funding for growth and development, resource conservation, infrastructure, and transportation are integrated across the local, regional, State, and interstate levels to achieve these visions.
(b) In addition to the requirements of § 3–201(a) and (b) of this article, a planning commission shall implement the following planning principles through the comprehensive plan described in Title 3 of this article:
(1) land: optimize productivity of working landscapes, including farms and forests, and fisheries, and prioritize development within population centers that are in proximity to existing infrastructure and facilities;
(2) transportation: prioritize transportation networks that create energy efficient, affordable, and reliable access to jobs, housing, and services;
(3) housing: enable a mix of quality housing types and affordability options to accommodate all who want to live in the State;
(4) economy: allow for adaptive reuse, mixed–use, and context appropriate new development that responds to changing markets and innovations;
(5) equity: engage all sectors of the community in plan development to ensure diverse voices are heard and the needs of underserved populations are prioritized;
(6) resilience: integrate resiliency measures that will minimize the impacts of rapid and unexpected natural– and human–caused threats on communities;
(7) place: provide for public spaces that encourage social interaction and value cultural, historical, and natural resources; and
(8) ecology: protect and restore sensitive ecological systems and conserve natural resources, including forests, agricultural areas, and waterways.
Official source: Maryland General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Maryland statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.