MarylandSB 01972026 Regular SessionSenate

Land Use - Comprehensive and General Plans - Alteration of Elements

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Local Government - GenerallyAdministrative AgenciesAgriculture -see also- Agritourism; Cannabis Prd; Farm; etc.Air PollutionAirportsAnimals -see also- Birds; Dogs; Domestic An; Horses; LivestkAnnotated Code of MarylandApplicants and ApplicationsBicyclesBoats and ShipsBoundariesCensusChartered Counties -see also- AACo; BCo; CecilCo; etc.Civil Rights and Social EquityClimate ResiliencyCommerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc.Committees and CommissionsCommunity DevelopmentCommunity Facilities and ServicesCommutersConservation -see also- Soil ConservationCorrectional Institutions -see also- Patuxent InstitutionData -see also- Census; DemographicsDemographics -see also- Census; DataEducation -see also- ContEd; DrvEd; HigherEd; etc.Emergency Medical Services -see also- Ambul; RescSqdEmergencies -see also- PandemicsEnvironment, Department of theEnvironmental HealthEnvironmental Matters -see also- Conserv; Nat Resrce; PollutFire ProtectionFish and Fishing -see also- Aquaculture; FishNets&DevFlood ControlForests and Parks -see also- MdNatlCapPkPlnCm; Plants; etc.Health -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.HighwaysHistorical Matters -see also- Archives; Monumts; Museum; etcHospitals -see also- Clinics; State HospitalsHousing and Community Development, Department ofHousing -see also- Apartments; Condos; Mobile & Manuf HomesHuman Infrastructure -see also- WLEIndustry and ManufacturingIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Labor, Department ofLaw Enforcement -see also- SRO; Sheriffs; State PoliceLegislative Services, Department ofLibraries -see also- ArchivesLocal Government MandatesLow-IncomeMaps and ChartsMass Transit -see also- Buses; RailroadsMunicipal Corporations -see also- Annap; BaltNatural Resources -see also- Coal; For&Pks; Rivers; etc.Natural Resources, Department ofPedestriansPlaces of Worship -see also- ReligionPlanning, Department ofPlans and ProposalsPrivate Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary SchPublic Buildings and Facilities -see also- Stadiums; St HsePublic Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary SchRacial Matters -see also- Ethnic Affairs; MinoritiesRailroadsReportsRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)Rules and RegulationsSalaries and Compensation -see also- Overtime; Reimb. RatesSmart Growth -see also- Zoning and PlanningSports and RecreationStandards and Best PracticesState Highway AdministrationStudentsThreatsTransportation, Department ofTransportation -see also- Aircraft; Airports; Boats; etcWastewaterWater -see also- Coastal Bays; Riv,Str,Lks; Wastewater; etc.Work, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.Zoning and Planning

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Analyzed Economic Effects

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City growth planning with counties

A city or town may join a county’s plan if both agree. When a plan covers a city, it must include a municipal growth section. That section maps future growth areas, needed land at planned densities, buffers, sensitive area protection, and needed services like water, sewer, schools, parks, and public safety. The state offers technical help to cities on request.

Clear goals and actions in plans

Local plans must state clear goals, policies, standards, and steps to act. Each plan part must use the best available data and other state and local plans. Plans must spell out how to carry out the ideas with rules, programs, and timelines. This makes local decisions more transparent and easier to track.

Equity planning for overburdened communities

Plans must include an equity section that centers the needs of overburdened and underserved communities. It uses data from the Commission on Environmental Justice and state agencies. Strategies can include boosting civic engagement, reducing health risks, and prioritizing improvements. The goal is fairer outcomes in land use and services.

Faster approvals in growth areas

Plans must encourage flexible development rules that allow innovation and cost‑saving site design while protecting the environment. In growth areas, plans must promote economic development and speed up permit and subdivision reviews. This can cut time and risk for projects where growth is planned.

Flexible plan format and phase‑in rules

County planning commissions choose how to organize their plan as long as they include all required elements. They may use separate chapters or spread topics across chapters and may add extra elements. The law applies prospectively and does not cover a county or city that started to amend or readopt its plan before October 1, 2026.

Land use map and facilities planning

The land section maps where homes, jobs, farms, parks, schools, and public buildings go. It must set growth patterns that match service capacity and protect natural and historic places. A community facilities plan must show long‑term locations and service areas for things like fire stations, libraries, parks, police, schools, and medical sites. Plans use state guides and the best Census‑based population and demographic data.

Local economy and jobs planning data

Plans must include an economy section that reviews the local economic base and labor force and names desired industries. It must connect population, land use, housing, transportation, and resources into a strategy. The state supplies economic and labor data to support this work.

Mineral and fisheries areas protected

Where geological data exists, plans must identify land to keep a steady mineral supply and plan for reuse after mining. The Environment Department reviews this for consistency before adoption. In tidal areas, plans must set aside working waterfront areas for loading, processing, docking, and mooring for commercial fishing. These steps support resource industries and keep access for watermen.

Plan better parks and public spaces

Plans must include a place section to create or improve public spaces like parks and plazas. It aims to build community, support health, protect heritage, and boost local economies. It uses state preservation and recreation plans and encourages local stewardship.

Protecting nature and water in plans

The ecology section protects natural resources, water and air quality, historic places, and farm and forest lands. It must address greenhouse gas emissions from added driving. Plans must include a sensitive areas section with goals, policies, and standards and consider wildlife movement and habitat links. State agencies provide forest and habitat data and review the sensitive areas content before adoption.

Standard local plans start Oct 2026

Beginning October 1, 2026, local governments must adopt a comprehensive plan that follows state rules. Plans must cover eight core parts: land, transportation, housing, economy, equity, resilience, place, and ecology. Counties choose the plan format but must meet the required content. This sets one clear statewide structure for local planning.

State planning guidance and data help

The Department of Planning provides guidelines and best practices for all required plan parts. Local planning commissions can ask the Department to coordinate help from state agencies. The state also helps provide available data and analysis. This support helps local governments build stronger, data‑driven plans.

Transportation plans for safer travel choices

Plans must design a safe, balanced system for people and goods and add more travel choices. They must coordinate with land use, include bike and pedestrian access, and estimate use of new projects. Plans follow state transportation plans, and the Transportation Department provides the best available data. This helps target roads, transit, freight, walking, and biking where they are most needed.

Plan for safe drinking water capacity

Starting October 1, 2026, the Water Resources section must show enough drinking water for current and future growth. It must also show suitable waters and land for stormwater and wastewater needs. The section uses data from the Department of the Environment. On request, the Department gives technical help and reviews the water section for consistency with its programs.

Resilience planning for disasters and climate

Local plans must include a Resilience section. It finds local threats, sets long‑term strategies, and coordinates with state partners for preparedness and mutual aid. It uses the State Resilience Strategy and the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Planning Department provides population, economic, and housing data and helps get other agency data. Plans may map hazard‑prone areas and list protection, adaptation, and recovery actions.

Better public spaces and facilities planning

Local plans must include a Place section to plan new or improved public spaces that support health, culture, nature, and the local economy. Planning provides data to help. The plan may list key gathering spots and ways to build community. The community facilities section must show where public buildings and services go, like fire stations, libraries, parks, police stations, schools, and medical and social service facilities. The example list no longer names places of worship or hospitals.

City–county rules for growth planning

Starting October 1, 2026, a city or town must share its Municipal Growth section with the county before approval. The county has 30 days to comment. They must meet and confer within 30 days after comments close, and can use mediation if either asks. They may enter joint planning agreements.

Housing plans add sites and fairness

Housing sections must plan enough homes for current and future residents and work to remove substandard housing. Plans must identify sites for affordable, workforce, and low‑income housing. Low‑income housing means homes affordable to households making under 60% of area median income. For housing elements enacted or amended on or after January 1, 2023 (and in other sections, January 1, 2025), plans must include a fair housing assessment. The state provides housing data and technical help on request.

State data to power local plans

Beginning October 1, 2026, the Planning Department gives each local government the best available population, demographic, economic, and housing data from the Census and other sources. It also works to deliver extra data from state and federal partners to support Ecology planning.

Stronger environmental and sensitive areas planning

Local plans must include an Ecology section that protects natural and historic resources, farms, and water supplies, and considers greenhouse gases from added driving. Beginning October 1, 2026, plans must add a Sensitive Areas section with goals, policies, and standards to limit harm from development and note any extra local steps. Local governments must consider wildlife movement and habitat links. The state gives a forest inventory at least every five years and shares data on habitat and wildlife crossings. Before adoption, Environment and Natural Resources review the Sensitive Areas section for consistency with their programs.

Local economic strategy in every plan

Local plans must include an Economy section. It describes the local economic base, workforce, and target industries, and ties land use, housing, transport, and facilities into one strategy. The Planning Department, Commerce, and Labor share state economic and labor data. Counties may add sector studies, program reviews, regional asset checks, and redevelopment strategies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 134 • No: 41

House vote • 4/2/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 95 • No: 37 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/5/2026