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.*** 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. NEW CRITICAL AREA BUFFER REGULATIONS PENDING!
The Critical Area Commission has posted a copy of draft tidewater buffer regulations on their website. This draft has been approved by the Critical Area Commission and is under legislative review.Click here to view and/or download the draft regulations. 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. 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.
Click here to view and/or download the notice.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.CRITICAL AREA LAW UPDATES!
The Critical Area Commission released an overview of last year's updates to the Maryland Critical Area Law.Click here to view and/or save a copy of the document.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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