Housing (Zoning)

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1137: Residential-in-Commercial-Zone Laws - Study (Bring Back Main Street Act)

HB 1137 (the "Bring Back Main Street Act") requires Maryland counties to permit multifamily developments (buildings with 5+ residential units sharing walls) and mixed-use developments (primarily residential with non-residential space limited to under 50% of total floor area, confined to first floors) on certain properties. It prohibits counties from imposing restrictions on these developments, such as limiting building height or density, while allowing counties to require a minimum of 15% of floor space in mixed-use projects to be dedicated to retail uses and to mandate on-site parking. The bill directly affects counties (by changing their zoning authority), developers seeking to build these projects, and property owners on affected parcels. It updates Maryland’s land use code to streamline approval for these development types, aiming to support community revitalization.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires counties to permit multifamily/mixed-use developments, prohibiting density/height restrictions to increase housing supply and advance affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 99: Municipalities - Annexed Land - Land Use and Density

HB 99 modifies Maryland's rules for how municipalities can develop land after annexing it from counties. For 5 years following annexation, municipalities would no longer need county approval to develop annexed land for uses or densities (up to 50% higher) that align with the county's existing comprehensive plan recommendations. However, municipalities would still require county approval to exceed those recommended land uses or densities. This bill directly affects Maryland municipalities and counties by altering the balance of planning authority after annexation, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables 50% higher density development without county approval, facilitating housing supply and aligning with comprehensive plans.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 337: School Construction and Housing - School Zones and Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances

HB 337 requires Maryland county school boards to annually submit detailed reports on school zones, student residency locations (without personal identifiers), and school capacity to state planning agencies starting July 1, 2026. It prohibits local "adequate public facilities ordinances" from delaying subdivision or site development plan approvals but allows them to delay final building permits. This directly affects county school boards, housing developers, and local planning departments by standardizing school zone data sharing and clarifying when school capacity rules can impact housing projects. The bill aims to streamline housing development while ensuring school capacity data informs planning.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits local 'adequate public facilities ordinances' from delaying housing subdivision approvals, facilitating faster development without weakening housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 239: Land Use - Zoning - Limitations (Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026)

HB 239, the "Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026," prohibits Maryland local governments from enforcing zoning rules that restrict lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, or architectural features for certain single-family homes. It specifically prevents bans on "starter homes" (smaller, affordable single-family homes) and "silver homes" (housing designed for older adults) in zones where they are currently prohibited, and allows subdivisions of certain lots to create these housing types. The bill directly affects counties and municipalities by limiting their authority over zoning for these home types, requiring them to permit such developments in applicable areas. Key provisions include repealing existing zoning restrictions and adding new requirements to state law that mandate local jurisdictions to allow these housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes zoning barriers for affordable starter homes and senior housing, enabling increased development of accessible housing types per its explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 691: State Government - Procedures - Permitting Efficiency for Housing Development Projects

HB 691 requires Maryland state agencies that issue housing construction permits to create streamlined permitting processes. Key provisions include allowing multiple permits to be handled simultaneously where possible, establishing predictable sequencing for approvals, and creating clear pathways for faster reviews. The State Housing Ombudsman must ensure consistency across different agencies’ processes and facilitate coordination with local governments. This bill directly affects state agencies, local governments (through potential delegation of permit tasks), and developers seeking housing construction permits, with implementation required by October 2026 and a reporting deadline for the Ombudsman in December 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines housing permitting to accelerate development, increasing housing supply and reducing approval delays for projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development Zoning

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 325: Land Use - Permitting - Development Rights (Maryland Housing Certainty Act)

SB 325, the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, requires local governments and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to base housing development approvals solely on land use rules in effect when a developer submits a complete application. It grants developers "vested rights" protecting approved projects from future rule changes for a set period and prohibits collecting development taxes or impact fees before construction is finished. The bill directly affects housing developers seeking permits and local regulatory agencies managing land use. It creates a new "Maryland Housing Certainty Act" section in state law to formalize these protections and fee restrictions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill facilitates housing development by granting developers vested rights and prohibiting pre-construction fees, directly advancing housing development as per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Taxes Zoning

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 389: Land Use - Transit-Oriented Development - Alterations (Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act)

SB 389, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates transit-oriented development (TOD) areas near rail stations with hourly weekday service (8 a.m.-6 p.m.) as enterprise zones - bypassing normal limits on such designations. It requires Maryland’s development corporation to prioritize loans for projects redeveloping state-owned land near rail stations and delays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects. The bill also adds project labor agreements as a scoring factor for TOD funding and adjusts local land-use regulations to support transit-focused development. Directly affecting developers, local governments, and communities near transit hubs, it aims to accelerate housing and infrastructure near rail corridors.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDelays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects, providing tax incentive to promote transit-oriented development90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDesignates TOD areas as enterprise zones, prioritizes loans for state land redevelopment, and delays fees for residential projects - all advancing housing development near transit.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires project labor agreements for transit development projects, ensuring fair wages and union standards in construction labor.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDesignates TOD areas near rail stations, prioritizes transit-oriented projects, delays fees for housing near transit - directly advancing public transit infrastructure and sustainable transportation access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning Public Transit Rail

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 243: Land Use - Comprehensive and General Plans - Alteration of Elements

HB 243 modifies Maryland's requirements for local governments' comprehensive and general plans. It adds new mandatory elements like Resilience, Place, and Ecology while replacing older terms (e.g., "Water Resources" becomes "Equity"). The bill requires charter counties and other local jurisdictions to include these updated elements in their plans, detailing goals for economic, social, and environmental development. State agencies must also provide data and guidance to help local governments meet these new standards. This affects how local governments structure long-term planning for land use, housing, transportation, and community facilities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds mandatory 'Ecology' element to local plans, requiring environmental development goals. Replaces 'Water Resources' with 'Equity' but explicitly mandates ecology focus for environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 'Equity' as a core element in land use plans, requiring inclusive housing development strategies that align with affordable housing and anti-discrimination policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 36: Land Use - Zoning - Limitations (Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026)

SB 36 (Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026) prohibits local governments in Maryland from enforcing zoning restrictions on lot size, setbacks, design rules, or subdivision rules for specific housing types. It directly affects counties and cities by overriding their local zoning laws to allow "starter homes" (for first-time buyers) and "silver homes" (for seniors) as single-family homes or attached townhouses on individual lots. The bill requires local jurisdictions to permit these housing types in zones where they are currently restricted, removing barriers to building smaller or more affordable single-family properties. This changes local zoning authority by mandating that communities cannot ban these specific housing options in certain areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for starter/silver homes, directly increasing affordable housing options for first-time buyers and seniors through housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 267: Land Use - Residential Housing - Oversight and Approval (Building Affordably in My Back Yard Act)

SB 267, the "Building Affordably in My Back Yard Act," aims to increase residential housing development by changing oversight, regulation, and tax policies. It requires property owners to certify contact information to the housing department, empowers local governments to streamline approvals for housing projects, and sets housing production targets. The bill allows counties to reduce certain taxes or fees for affordable housing projects while increasing them for non-affordable developments, and permits local tax adjustments for different property types. These changes directly affect property owners, local governments, and housing developers across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allows tax/fee reductions for affordable housing projects, providing targeted tax relief aligned with supporting lower-income housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases affordable housing via tax incentives for affordable projects, streamlines approvals, and sets housing production targets to advance development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes Zoning

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