Why Citizens Should Be Involved in Zoning Decisions
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). 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.
For more information refer to A Citizen's Guide to Zoning in Rockville.
View the Rockville Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Zoning Map View the Current Version of the Zoning Ordinance by Section: | Text of Ordinance | | Table of Contents | | | Article 1 | General Information | | Article 2 | Zoning Map | | Article 3 | Definitions; Terms of Measurements and Calculations | | Article 4 | Approving Authorities | | Article 5 | Application and Notification Generally | | Article 6 | Procedures for Map and Text Amendments, Variances, Special Exceptions and Administrative Actions | | Article 7 | Procedures for Site Plans and Project Plans, Special Exceptions, and Other Permits | | Article 8 | Transitional Provisions, Nonconformities, Nonconforming Alteration Approval
| | Article 9 | Accessory Uses; Accessory Buildings and Structures; Encroachments; Temporary Uses; Home-Based Business Enterprises; Wireless Communication Facilities | | Article 10 | Single Dwelling Unit Residential Zones | | Article 11 | Residential Medium Density Zones | | Article 12 | Industrial Zones | | Article 13 | Mixed-Use Zones | | Article 14 | Special Zones | | Article 15 | Special Exceptions | | Article 16 | Parking and Loading | | Article 17 | Public Use Space, Landscaping and Screening, Utility Placement and Screening, Lighting, Sidewalks, and Shadows | | Article 18 | Signs | | Article 19 | Enforcement | | Article 20 | Adequate Public Facilities | | Article 21 | Plats and Subdivision Regulations |
Zoning Text Amendments
Zoning text amendments are changes to portions of the zoning ordinance to address specific issues. The zoning ordinance is updated periodically to incorporate these changes in the official text. The following text amendments have been incorporated into the current version of the zoning ordinance, as amended to December 13, 2010. - TXT2010-00224 - Revisions to Public Use Space Requirements
Adopted February 8, 2010 by Ordinance 2-10 - included in the current ordinance.
- TXT2010-00225 - Revisions to Definition of Buildable Lot | Staff Report
Require minimum street frontage in the single unit detached and mixed-use zones; allow fences taller than 48" in the PD zones. Filed March 16, 2010. Planning Commission review and recommendation May 12, 2010. Mayor and Council public hearing June 7, 2010. Ordinance adopted September 13, 2010.
- TXT2010-00226 - Revisions to the Public Use Space requirements in the mixed-use zones | Staff Report
Filed March 24, 2010. Planning Commission review and recommendation May 12, 2010. Mayor and Council public hearing June 7, 2010. Ordinance adopted September 20, 2010.
- TXT2010-00227 - Extend the implementation period for approved development projects to June 30, 2012. | Ordinance Adopted June 21, 2010.
- TXT2010-00228 - To allow expansion of parking in connection with a nonconforming funeral home in a Single Unit Residential Zone. Filed June 30, 2010. The Mayor and Council public hearing was held Monday, October 25. Staff Report. Ordinance adopted December 13, 2010.
- TXT2011-00229 - To exempt properties subject to an annexation agreement from the APFO requirements. Filed January 18, 2011. Withdrawn by applicant November 7, 2011.
- TXT2011-00230 - To make certain revisions to the definitions, site plan review process, land uses, and other corrections and clarifications. Authorized for filing by the Mayor and Council on February 14, 2011. Staff Report. Planning Commission Recommendation. Ordinance adopted June 6, 2011.
- TXT2012-00231 - To clarify the definition of "family". Authorized for filing by the Mayor and Council on September 19, 2011. Staff Report | Planning Commission Recommendation | Ordinance adopted January 30, 2012.
- TXT2012-00232 - To amend provisions for signs in certain Planned Development zones.
Filed November 3, 2011. Staff Report.
- TXT2012-00233 - To delete allowance for expanded parking for nonconforming use. Authorized for filing by the Mayor and Council on January 9, 2012. Staff Report | Planning Commission Recommendation Mayor and Council public hearing March 26, 2012.
- TXT2012-00234 - To allow greater flexibility in administering sign permits. Authorized for filing by the Mayor and Council on April 2, 2012. Staff Report | Planning Commission Recommendation
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 |
