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Development and Zoning

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 and land use regulations.

Zoning Code Amendments

Zoning Ordinance text amendments are changes to sections 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:

  • TXT2024-00266
  • Authorized for filing by Mayor and Council Jan. 8, 2024
  • Planning Commission staff report of March 13, 2024
  • Mayor and Council public hearing tentatively scheduled for July 8, 2024
  • TXT2024-00265
  • Authorized for filing by Mayor and Council Sept. 18, 2023
  • Planning Commission briefing scheduled for Dec. 13, 2023
  • Mayor and Council public hearing to be scheduled
  • TXT2024-00264
  • Authorized for filing by Mayor and Council March 27, 2023
  • Planning Commission briefing to be scheduled
  • Mayor and Council public hearing to be scheduled
  • Authorized for filing by Mayor and Council Jan. 23, 2023
  • Ordinance adopted Oct. 9, 2023; effective April 9, 2024
  • Authorized for filing by Mayor and Council May 22, 2023
  • Planning Commission staff report of July 12, 2023
  • Mayor and Council public hearing to be scheduled
  • Authorized for filing by Mayor and Council July 11, 2022
  • Ordinance adopted Oct. 9, 2023; effective immediately
  • TXT2021-00259
  • Filed by applicant March 31, 2021
  • Denied by Mayor and Council Dec. 5, 2022
  • Resolution adopted on Dec. 5, 2022
  • Authorized for filing by Mayor and Council June 8, 2020
  • Ordinance adopted Feb. 1, 2021; effective immediately
  • TXT2019-00255
  • Filed April 9, 2019; reauthorized by Mayor and Council Jan. 23, 2023
  • Planning Commission staff report of June 14, 2023
  • Mayor and Council public hearing to be scheduled
  • TXT2014-00236
  • Authorized for filing by the Mayor and Council on Sept. 16, 2013
  • Planning Commission staff report
  • Planning Commission review and recommendation
  • Mayor and Council public hearing held on Dec. 9, 2013
  • Ordinance adopted April 21, 2014
  • TXT2013-00235
  • Authorized for filing by the Mayor and Council on Nov. 5, 2012
  • Planning Commission staff report
  • Planning Commission review and recommendation
  • Mayor and Council public hearing held on Jan. 14, 2013
  • Ordinance adopted Feb. 11, 2013
  • TXT2012-00234
  • Authorized for filing by the Mayor and Council on April 2, 2012
  • Planning Commission staff report
  • Planning Commission review and recommendation
  • Mayor and Council public hearing held on June 11, 2012
  • Ordinance adopted July 30, 2012
  • TXT2012-00233
  • Authorized for filing by the Mayor and Council on Jan. 9, 2012
  • Planning Commission staff report
  • Planning Commission review and recommendation
  • Mayor and Council public hearing held on March 26, 2012
  • Ordinance adopted May 7, 2012

Revisions to the definitions, site plan review process, land uses, and other corrections and clarifications.

  • TXT2011-00229
  • Consideration to exempt properties subject to an annexation agreement from the APFO requirements
  • Filed Jan. 18, 2011
  • Withdrawn by applicant Nov. 7, 2011

Requires minimum street frontage in the single unit detached and mixed-use zones; allows fences taller than 48″ in the planned development zones.

Zoning Code Interpretations

Section 25.06.04 of the Rockville City Code empowers the chief of zoning to interpret the Zoning Ordinance when there is a need for clarity in the application and administration of zoning and land use regulations, either generally or as applied to a specific property. To this end, the chief of zoning issues written determinations and advice memorializing such interpretations to provide guidance on the policies and practices staff follows in applying specific zoning regulations. Determinations are appealable to the Board of Appeals within 30 days from the official letter of notification of the decision.

pdfEstablished Front Yard Setbacks (July 11, 1995) pdfAccessory Swimming Pools (March 27, 2009) pdfHome-Based Business Enterprises (March 27, 2009) pdfParking Structure Setbacks (March 27, 2009) pdfEncroachments for Accessibility (March 27, 2009) pdfNonconformities in General (Jan. 7, 2010) pdfNonconforming Accessory Structure on a Corner Lot (March 7, 2012) pdfEmergency Generators (Aug. 15, 2014) pdfMedical Cannabis Use Classification (Sept. 1, 2015) pdfLandscaped Buffer (Sept. 22, 2020) pdfRetail Uses in the MXT Zone (Nov. 21, 2022) pdfEast Rockville Design Guidelines Clarifications (July 8, 2023)

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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