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Council adopts amendment tightening rules for 'cottage home' developments; hearing set for Jan. 20
Summary
Councilmembers amended Bill 92-25 to require principal-arterial access and a 5-acre minimum for cottage-home developments in R‑1 and R‑2 zones; Amendment No. 2 passed unanimously and the bill as amended will be heard again Jan. 20, 2026.
Councilmember Pete Smith introduced Bill 92-25 on Jan. 5 as a tool to permit cottage-home developments intended to expand homeownership options in the county’s “missing-middle” market. Smith said the product targets an entry-price tier near $202,150 and could provide smaller-footprint ownership opportunities in appropriate locations.
At the public hearing, Abby Root of the League of Women Voters of Anne Arundel County urged support, noting cottage communities can provide smaller homes, shared common spaces and proximity to transit. Another resident raised a question about investor purchases; the sponsor acknowledged the bill as written does not restrict who may buy homes in such developments.
Councilmember Amanda Fiedler introduced Amendment No. 2, which reduces allowable density in certain zones, requires access to a principal arterial road for cottage-home developments in R‑1 and R‑2, and establishes a minimum parcel size (5 acres) for those zones. Fiedler said the acreage provision may be revisited; other members supported the principle of limiting these projects to appropriate locations. The amendment was seconded and adopted 7–0. The Council scheduled Bill 92-25 as amended for further hearing on Jan. 20, 2026 when sponsors and administration plan to present additional amendments and safety measures.
Next steps: sponsors and administration to continue working on targeted amendments and present the bill at the Jan. 20 hearing with updated language and any additional fiscal or planning analysis.
