Zoning Board
Zoning Board Scheduling - Councilmanic Election Year
Pursuant to Howard County Code Section 16.211, in any year in which members of the County Council are elected, the incumbent Councilmembers shall not take final action on any zoning applications after the date of the primary election, as set by law, and until the newly elected County Council members have qualified and taken office. As the incumbent Councilmembers comprise the Zoning Board, this Code provision extends to those decisions as well. Final action has been determined to mean issuance of a signed written decision of the Zoning Board, not just a vote to approve or deny an application.
The primary election date this year is June 23, 2026. To provide sufficient time for any written decisions to be drafted and signed by the Board members prior to the deadline, the Zoning Board plans to conclude decision-making on cases toward the end of April.
The Board will attempt to finish as many cases as possible, but cases in their early stages may not conclude in time to meet these deadlines. Cases that have not yet begun the process are unlikely to conclude in time. Any cases that are not concluded within these deadlines could be deferred until the next County Council takes office in December and begins to schedule Zoning Board meetings in 2027.
About
The Council Members serve as the Zoning Board, which has the authority under County law for denying or granting an individual request for a piecemeal map amendment or approving or disapproving a development plan (County Code, § 16.200(a)). The role of the Hearing Examiner is to conduct evidentiary hearings and issue a report to the Zoning Board on matters under the jurisdiction of the Zoning Board, unless the Zoning Board elects to first hear the application.
The Zoning Board guides the future growth and development of the County in accordance with the General Plan. Every 10 years, State law (Land Use Article, Titles 1, 3, and 4 of the Annotated Code of Maryland) requires the County to adopt a General Plan that guides the coordinated development of the County. The purpose of the General Plan is to ensure the most beneficial and coherent relationships among the county's residential, nonresidential, and public areas, considering the suitability of each area for these uses, based on existing conditions, trends in population and modes of living, and future requirements, both within the County and in relationship to areas outside of the County.
The County Council has the authority under County law for comprehensive zoning and for amendments to the text of the Howard County zoning regulations.
Hiring Notice
Zoning Board Information
Expand All- David Yungmann, Chair
- Liz Walsh, Vice Chair
- Opel Jones
- Deb Jung
- Christiana Rigby
- A Petition to amend the Zoning Maps by rezoning a particular property (a piecemeal map amendment) is submitted by an owner of the property, the DPZ, or a member of the Zoning Board.
- After receiving a complete application, the DPZ produces a Technical Staff Report, which includes comments from County and State agencies, an evaluation and a recommendation on the proposal.
- The Planning Board then holds a public meeting on the Petition and makes a recommendation. Interested parties may comment on the proposal by testifying at the meeting.
- Once the Planning Board meeting is scheduled, the Zoning Board Chair must hold a consultation meeting with the Board Administrator.
- After the Planning Board Meeting, the Zoning Board shall hold a public Administrative Meeting. The Zoning Board shall vote to keep the Petition or vote to forward the Petition to the Hearing Examiner.
- After receiving the Planning Board recommendation and Technical Staff Report, a public hearing is held, at which the Petitioner and other interested parties may testify.
- After the public hearing, the Zoning Board or Hearing Examiner discuss and decide on the Petition at a Work Session. Work Sessions are open to the public, but no more public comment may be received.
- A written Decision and Order with the Zoning Board or Hearing Examiner's action is issued after the Work Session(s).
The Zoning Board or Hearing Examiner's decision is not final until the Decision and Order is signed. The Decision and Order may be appealed to the Howard County Circuit Court within 30 days after it is issued.
All Zoning Board hearings are held in the Banneker Room unless noted otherwise. For further information, please contact the Zoning Board Office at (410) 313-2395.
A Zoning Counsel is employed by the County Council on a part-time, contractual basis. The Zoning Counsel appears at all Zoning Board hearings concerning piecemeal zoning map amendments for the purposes of producing evidence and testimony in support of the comprehensive zoning classification of the property and to facilitate the compilation of a complete record. The Zoning Counsel may present evidence and witnesses, examine and cross-examine witnesses, and present argument, however, does not represent the County, is not a party to a case and does not have a right of appeal in connection with any case. The Zoning Counsel may advise citizens individually and is available to speak to any group regarding zoning procedures in Howard County, but cannot engage in the practice of law or render legal advice.
All Exhibits must be submitted to councilboard@howardcountymd.gov 24 hours before the hearing.
The link below provides instructions for the test meeting (not required, but helpful).
Upcoming Hearings and Meetings
ZB 1130M Corridor Square, LLC
Zoning Board Administrative Meeting
Zoning Board Administrative Meeting
Zoning Board Administrative Meeting
Zoning Board Cases
Click on the Case Number to view a specific case.
| Case Number | Year Filed | Petitioner | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZB 1130M | 2025 | Corridor Square, LLC | 7253 Washington Boulevard | SCHEDULED 2/25/2026 |
| ZB 1131M | 2025 |
The Palmetto Group, Inc. |
3829 Palmetto Court | ADMINISTRATIVE MEETING SCHEDULED 2/25/2026 |
| ZB 1132M | 2025 | Columbia Concepts, LLC | 8775 Cloudleap Court | ADMINISTRATIVE MEETING SCHEDULED 3/11/2026 |
| ZB 1133M | 2025 | The Howard Research and Development Corporation | 9121 S Commerce Center Dr | SCHEDULED 3/25/2026 |