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HB 1167 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Montgomery County - Municipal Authority to Regulate Structures - Alterations MC/PG 116-25

HB 1167 modifies Montgomery County's authority to regulate residential structures by removing a restriction that previously limited building requirements to single-family homes only. The bill allows municipalities to apply their building rules - covering elements like fences, parking, structure dimensions, and lot coverage - to *all* residential structures (including multifamily housing) on land zoned for residential use, as long as the rules serve public health/safety or land preservation. Municipalities must still hold public hearings and provide waiver procedures before adopting such rules. This change takes effect October 1, 2025, and directly affects Montgomery County communities and their housing development regulations.
Issues: ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves restriction limiting building rules to single-family homes, enabling municipalities to apply regulations to multifamily housing, thus facilitating housing development.95% confidence
Sub-Topics: Property Development
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 6, 2025 Signed May 20, 2025
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What changed between versions

First - Montgomery County - Municipal Authority to Regulate Structures - Alterations MC/PG 116-25 → Third - Montgomery County - Municipal Authority to Regulate Structures - Alterations MC/PG 116-25 · 4 edits
MODERATE
HB 1167 was advanced from first to third reading with amendments that expand Montgomery County's authority to regulate residential structures. The bill now allows municipalities to regulate buildings with four or fewer dwelling units (including duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses) regardless of land zoning, whereas it previously only applied to single-family residential structures. This change broadens the scope of local building regulation to cover small multifamily housing types.
Scope change
Expanded from single-family residential structures to include buildings with four or fewer dwelling units regardless of land zoning
SCOPE

Extended regulatory authority to buildings with four or fewer dwelling units including duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, cottage clusters, and townhouses

ELIGIBILITY

Removed zoning restrictions that previously limited regulation to land zoned for predominantly single-family residential use

REQUIREMENT

Added specific building types to the list of structures that can be regulated under the new authority

TIMELINE

Bill progressed from first reading to third reading with favorable committee report and adoption by the House

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 20, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 780
executive
Apr 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 9, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (135-1-4)
house of delegates
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.