Community Planning and Development Services Department

The City of Rockville’s Community Planning and Development Services Department oversees planning, property development, and construction activities to ensure the city’s vision is achieved. The community expresses this vision through the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance, and other development regulations. The department is one of the most public-oriented city departments and fields a large amount of phone calls and walk-ins requesting general zoning or permitting information, historic research, property information, and building and fire code interpretations.

Customer Bill of Rights

City of Rockville customers have the right to expect services that are:

Understandable, accurate, and fair.
Accountable, responsive, and collaborative.
Predictable, consistent, and timely.

Customers have the right to:

Receive prompt, courteous service from a staff member.
Receive the name and contact information of the staff member providing assistance.
Obtain a summary of all required processes and fees for their project.
A solution-oriented approach to code requirements, plans, and projects.
Obtain a second opinion from any staff member’s supervisor and if necessary, the director, to resolve any concerns.
Provide feedback to express appreciation, concerns, or suggestions.
Receive a response by the next business day when leaving a phone message or contacting a staff member via email.

For staff to provide the highest level of service, customers must be accountable and responsible for:

Complete and accurate submittals and all relative information for the project.
Notifying staff of any changes to plans or projects in a timely manner.
Asking questions of staff when code requirements or communications are unclear.
Maintaining a collaborative, courteous, and respectful environment.

Divisions

View Department Organizational Chart

The Comprehensive Planning Division works with the Rockville community to develop plans and studies that make Rockville’s neighborhoods and commercial areas great places to live, work, and visit. The division prepares the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which includes neighborhood plans, planning policy elements, sector plans, and other special studies under the direction of the Planning Commission and the Mayor and Council.

The Development Review Division coordinates review of development applications and determines compliance with the comprehensive and neighborhood plans, the Zoning Ordinance, the Forest and Tree Preservation Ordinance, and other city codes and regulations.

The division also works with other city departments and external agencies during the development review process to ensure compliance with all relevant codes. For most development projects, the project manager guides the project through the review and approval process and provides recommendations to the approving authority.

The Development Services Division serves as a one-stop shop for all applications processed by the Community Planning and Development Services Department. Staff receive, analyze, and coordinate applications for residential and commercial development throughout Rockville. The division also assists customers with application questions, provides project updates, and troubleshoots issues. In addition, staff manage the city’s permitting and inspection software to ensure efficient and accurate processing.

The Fire Marshal’s Office was established in 1997 to provide a higher level of service to Rockville residents and businesses. The office is responsible for enforcing fire codes during construction and throughout occupancy to ensure a safe environment for residents, visitors, and firefighters. Its services include issuing fire protection permits, conducting fire inspections, and providing fire safety education and outreach.

The City of Rockville has taken steps to preserve and promote its heritage after the 1965 decision of the Mayor and Council to create the Historic District Commission. The city’s local historic districts are reviewed by the Historic District Commission under the Zoning Ordinance. In addition, the city also has National Register Historic Districts that are implemented through our partners, the National Park Service and Maryland Historical Trust.

The Historic Preservation Division maintains historic site tours, offers guidance for property owners making alterations to historic properties, and provides resources for historic tax credits.

The Inspection Services Division enforces state-mandated codes and ordinances through the issuance of permits and contractor licenses, plan review, and the inspection of all phases of residential and commercial construction. The division is responsible for:

Processing building and construction permit applications.
Reviewing construction plans for code compliance issues and maintaining contractor licenses.
Performing inspections of buildings and related construction or renovations.
Performing inspections of fire and life safety systems.
Providing administration of Chapter 5 (Building and Property Maintenance Regulations) and Chapter 9 (Fire Code).

The Planning and Research Division serves as a source for strategic data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and generates forecasts on city population and employment that serve planning needs at all government levels. The division also conducts analysis of census data, monitors trends in economic and demographic conditions, and provides other data-driven analysis in support of city-wide policies and goals.

The Zoning Division maintains the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, and oversees the application and enforcement of zoning and land use regulations to guide development and land use in the city.

The chief of zoning is authorized to issue administrative and variance approvals for certain types of land use applications, interpret provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, and issue zoning confirmations and zoning interpretations. 

The division also prepares amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, manages consultant work related to large Zoning Ordinance amendments, determines compliance with the city’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, and provides staff support to the Planning Commission and Board of Appeals.