Welcome to Dorchester County Planning and Zoning
Dorchester County Planning & Zoning, and its permits, inspections and licensing responsibilities, implements a variety of regulatory and land-use planning functions at the local level. The Department is responsible for the enforcement of the following regulations and codes: Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Building Code, Plumbing Code, Electrical Code, HVAC Code, Property Maintenance Code, Minimum Livability Code, Uniform Numbering System, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Protection Program, Forest Conservation Act Program, and Floodplain Management Protection Program. The Department is also responsible for the administration and management of the following planning and land preservation programs: The Dorchester County Comprehensive Plan, Agricultural Land Preservation Program, Rural Legacy Programs, Census Data Distribution, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The Departments also provide staffing and technical assistance to the Planning Commission and Board of Appeals. Boards & Commissions The Dorchester County Board of Appeals meets at 7:00 pm on the third (full week) Thursday of each month in room 110 of the County Office Building. The Dorchester County Planning Commission meets at 12:00 pm on the first Wednesday of each month in room 110 of the County Office Building. Information Dorchester County Planning & Zoning 501 Court Lane ***NOTE: you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view the documents offered below. Click here to download Adobe Reader.*** ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING LICENSE APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE
The current electrical and plumbing license applications are now available here.Click here to view and/or download the electrical license application. Click here to view and/or download the plumbing license application. FOREST CONSERVATION UPDATE
Fees for Forest Conservation plans, delineations, and declarations have been updated. Also, there are two forestry bills pending which would become effective October 1st, 2009. Additionally, the Declaration of Intent forms and Planting Plan Maintenance and Management Agreement have been updated.
Click here to view and/or download the notice on regulations.Click here to view and/or download the notice on updated forms.Click here and scroll down to view and/or download the forms. EXTENSION OF PERMITS
During the 2009 legislative session, Senate Bill 958 and House Bill 921 were adopted which require the extension of approval of certain development permits issued by the State and local governments. Any building permit that we have issued that was due to expire on or after January 1, 2008 has been automatically extended to June 30, 2010.
NEW CRITICAL AREA BUFFER REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE MARCH 8, 2010!
The Critical Area Commission has created new regulations regarding the tidewater buffer. These regulations became effective on Monday, March 8th, 2010.Click here to view and/or download the Planning and Zoning Office's notice. Click here to view and/or download the Dorchester County Critical Area Planting Standards guide. Click here to view the new forms which apply to planting requirements. Click here to view and/or download the most recent complete version of the regulations. Click here to view and/or download a guide for the regulations. WATER RESOURCES ELEMENT FINAL DRAFT: UPDATE!
The final draft of the Water Resources Element (WRE) of the Dorchester County Comprehensive Plan is now available for review.Click here to view and/or download the Water Resources Element document. Click here to view and/or download the WRE Appendix. PLANNING COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT FINAL COPY
At its last meeting, the Planning Commission approved a final copy of its Annual Report.Click here to view and/or download the Planning Commission Annual Report. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2009: HOME BUILDER GUARANTY FUND INFORMATION!
Information regarding changes to state law that affect home builders.Click here to access this information.LITTLE BLACKWATER RIVER WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFT!
The Little Blackwater River Watershed Management Plan is temporarily unavailable as revisions are made.PERMIT APPLICATION CHECKLIST ONLINE!
Use this checklist to ensure you have all necessary materials to apply for a building permit.Click here to access this information.PLANNING COMMISSION AND BOARD OF APPEALS AGENDAS, MINUTES ONLINE!
Agendas for upcoming Planning Commission and Board of Appeals hearings, as well as minutes from the past six months, are now online.Click here to access this information.IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORSHome improvement contractors must have a Maryland Home Improvement License to perform certain types of work. These types of work are listed in this announcement. Click here to download or view the document.
If you experience problems while using this webpage, please contact the Dorchester County Office of Planning and Zoning web affairs branch.
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