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Revised Zoning Ordinance &
Comprehensive Zoning Map
Effective March 16, 2009

See also: Planning and Zoning

     

Adopted Zoning Ordinance Adopted Zoning Maps |  Adopted Map Ordinance

Zoning codes regulate what takes place on privately, and sometimes publicly, owned lands through controls on three elements: use, shape and bulk. Use regulations control the location of residential, commercial and industrial development in separate sections of the city or in designated mixed-use developments. Shape, refers to where to locate objects on a lot. Bulk requirements regulate the size of the buildings on a lot (height, width and floor area).

For more information refer to A Citizen’s Guide to Zoning in Rockville.

Why Citizens Should Be Involved in Zoning Decisions

Zoning creates the character of a city by regulating the types of buildings and the kinds of uses allowable in high-access areas of the city, like Town Center and Rockville Pike. The sense of place created in these areas is developed through zoning regulations which determine how high the buildings can be, what types of landscaping and other street features are present between the buildings, whether there is window shopping or sidewalk cafes available at the street level and whether offices or condos are available in the upper stories. In addition, zoning assures that there is adequate parking so visitors can use these businesses.

Zoning not only affects commercial and office districts of a city, but residential uses as well.  Zoning controls where citizens can build things and what can be built in a private yard. For instance, zoning limits where fences can be placed, how big garages can be built, what a house’s roof looks like, and whether residents can have a pool.

View the Rockville Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Zoning Map

View Zoning Ordinance by Section:

Text of Ordinance
Table of Contents
 Article 1General Information
Article 2Zoning Map
Article 3Definitions; Terms of Measurements and Calculations
Article 4Approving Authorities
Article 5Application and Notification Generally
Article 6Procedures for Map and Text Amendments, Variances, Special Exceptions and Administrative Actions
Article 7Procedures for Site Plans and Project Plans, Special Exceptions, and Other Permits
Article 8Transitional Provisions, Nonconformities, Nonconforming Alteration Approval
Article 9Accessory Uses; Accessory Buildings and Structures; Encroachments; Temporary Uses; Home-Based Business Enterprises; Wireless Communication Facilities
Article 10Single Dwelling Unit Residential Zones
Article 11Residential Medium Density Zones
Article 12Industrial Zones
Article 13Mixed-Use Zones
Article 14Special Zones
Article 15Special Exceptions
Article 16Parking and Loading
Article 17Public Use Space, Landscaping and Screening, Utility Placement and Screening, Lighting, Sidewalks, and Shadows
Article 18Signs
Article 19Enforcement
Article 20Adequate Public Facilities
Article 21Plats and Subdivision Regulations

Zoning Text Amendments

Learn More

Contact Us
Department of Community Planning and Development Services
City of Rockville
111 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The office is located on the second floor of the Rockville City Hall building.
Phone: 240-314-8200
Fax: 240-314-8210
E-mail: cpds@rockvillemd.gov