logo
Development and Zoning

Zoning and Land Use Regulations

The Zoning Ordinance is adopted under Chapter 25 of the Rockville City Code. The Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map are intended to protect the community’s health, safety and welfare while achieving high-quality development.

Zoning serves to create and maintain the character of the city by regulating the allowable uses and development standards for each piece of land in the city, including:

  • the types of land uses that can be located in different areas of the city.
  • the allowable density of development.
  • the size and height of the buildings.
  • parking and landscape requirements.
  • the layout of buildings and the site.

Get involved by attending public meetings for the Mayor and Council, Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, and Board of Appeals.

Zoning Code Amendments and Interpretations

Zoning for specific properties and neighborhoods can change to meet the needs of the community through formal text and map amendment applications, as well as the master plan process. Interpretations of the Zoning Ordinance clarify the application and administration of zoning regulations.

Types of Developments Allowed in Rockville

Properties in Rockville are classified into different zones, each of which allowing specific types of development and land uses. These zones are organized into broad categories, including residential, industrial, mixed-use, and special zones. In addition to these base zones, the city also has overlay zones that apply additional regulations or protections to properties with designated areas.

The city has 12 residential zones that allow for a diversity of housing types.

  • Large lot single-unit residential zones
    The large lot single-unit residential zones include the R-400, R-200, and R-150 zones. These zones are intended primarily for single-unit residential uses on large lots and some institutional uses.
  • Small lot single-unit residential zones
    The small lot single-unit residential zones include the R-90, R-75, R-60, and R-40 zones. These zones are intended primarily for single-unit residential uses on smaller lots than those in the large lot single-unit residential zones.
  • Medium Density Residential zones
    The Medium Density Residential zones include the RMD-Infill, RMD-10, RMD-15, and RMD-25 zones. The RMD-Infill zone is intended to provide for medium-density residential uses with a range of housing types on infill lots. The RMD-10 and RMD-15 zones are intended to provide for medium-density residential uses with a range of housing types, typically townhouse, multiplex, and apartment dwellings. The RMD-25 zone is intended to provide for medium-density residential uses, typically townhouse and apartment dwellings, up to 25 dwelling units per acre.
  • Residential High Density zone
    The RHD zone is intended to provide for high-density residential uses, typically apartment dwellings, up to 100 dwelling units per acre.

The city’s two industrial zones allow for light or heavy industrial and business uses.

  • Light Industrial zone
    The I-L zone is intended to provide for limited light manufacturing, warehousing, and wholesaling facilities necessary to serve residents of the city and surrounding areas, and to provide general retailing facilities for certain commodities appropriate in an industrial zone.
  • Heavy Industrial zone
    The I-H zone is intended to provide for a wide range of industrial and related uses which may need various types of access, and which, because of the nature of their operation, may or may not be compatible near other land uses. Note: This zone is not currently applied within the city, but in the future it could accommodate heavy industrial land annexed into the city from Montgomery County.

The city has 10 mixed-use zones which allow for a range of commercial, office, and residential uses.

  • Transit-oriented, high-density mixed use zones
    The transit-oriented, high-density mixed use zones include the MXTD-235, MXTD-200, and MXTD-85 zones. “MXTD” stands for Mixed-Use Transit District, and each of the associated numbers indicates the allowable base height of buildings within the zone. These zones are intended to provide for high-density development of retail, office, and residential uses in areas near Metro stations. These zones are characterized by their transit-oriented location, walkability, and urban development patterns. These zones are the highest intensity and include areas such as Town Center and the Twinbrook and Shady Grove Metro stations.
  • Corridor-oriented, medium- to high-density mixed use zones
    The corridor-oriented, medium- to high-density mixed use zones include the MXCD (Mixed-Use Corridor District) and MXCT (Mixed-Use Corridor Transition) zones. The MXCD zone is intended to provide for areas along major highway corridors outside of the MXTD zone areas. It allows for flexibility in siting medium-density development of retail, office, auto-oriented, and residential uses. The MXCT zone is intended to provide for medium-density development of residential and office uses, as well as neighborhood-serving retail and service uses, and to serve as a transition between areas zoned for medium- to high-intensity development and areas of residential development or parks within residentially zoned areas. These zones include major highway corridors such as Rockville Pike.
  • Neighborhood-oriented, medium- to low-density mixed use zones
    The neighborhood-oriented, medium- to low-density mixed use zones include the MXNC (Mixed-Use Neighborhood Commercial), MXT (Mixed-Use Transition), and MXC (Mixed-Use Commercial) zones. The MXNC zone is intended to provide primarily for local, low-to-moderate density retail and service uses in areas near single-unit detached residential uses. This zone also allows for low-to-moderate density residential uses and limited office uses. It is not intended to provide for major employment. The MXT zone is intended to provide for low-density multi-unit, attached, and townhouse residential development, and other neighborhood-serving uses in areas located between moderate or high-density development and single-unit detached residential neighborhoods. The MXC zone is intended to provide primarily for local, low-density retail and service uses in areas near single-unit detached residential uses. This zone also allows for low-density residential uses and limited office uses. It is not intended to provide for major employment.
  • Business- and employment-oriented mixed use zones
    The business- and employment-oriented mixed use zones include the MXE (Mixed-Use Employment) and MXB (Mixed-Use Business) zones. The MXE zone is intended to provide for areas that are either currently developed or are recommended for development primarily for office, light industrial, industrial park, and similar employment-generating uses, while also allowing for medium- to high-density development of retail, and residential uses. The MXB zone is intended to provide primarily for retail sales, neighborhood services, home maintenance services, and compatible residential development in areas convenient to both higher-density commercial zones and single-unit detached residential uses. This zone allows for a range of densities and permits retail, service, office, and residential uses.

The city has two types of special zones: the Park zone and the Planned Development zones.

  • Park zone
    Park zones apply to city-owned park property and limit development to specific recreational uses, cemeteries, caretaker’s dwellings, and similar uses.
  • Planned Development zones 
    Planned Development zones include large-scale development projects approved under special provisions of the Zoning Ordinance in effect prior to 2009. An example of a planned development zone is the King Farm development on Route 355, south of Shady Grove Road. Development in these zones is administered under the resolutions approving the original projects.

The city has three overlay zones: the Historic District Overlay zone, the Lincoln Park Neighborhood Conservation District Overlay zone, and the Cluster Development Overlay zone.

  • Historic District Overlay zone
    The Historic District Overlay zone is designed to protect historic property in the city as determined by the Historic District Commission. Modification or development of property in this overlay zone requires additional levels of approval, such as approval by the Historic District Commission. An example of property within the Historic District Overlay zone is the Old West End neighborhood along West Montgomery Avenue.
  • Lincoln Park Neighborhood Conservation District Overlay zone
    The Lincoln Park Neighborhood Conservation District Overlay zone is designed to protect the unique character of the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
  • Cluster Development Overlay zone
    The Cluster Development Overlay zone includes eight subdivisions approved under special provisions of the previous Zoning Ordinance in effect prior to 2009. A number of neighborhoods west of I-270 are located within the Cluster Development Overlay zone, including Orchard Ridge and Saddlebrook. Developments in this overlay zone have reduced setbacks and lot standards.

Jump To

Contact

Jim Wasilak
Community Planning and Development Services Department
Zoning Division
240-314-8211
zoning@rockvillemd.gov

Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Address
Rockville City Hall
111 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Resources