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Havre de Grace council opposes Maryland Housing Certainty Act in unanimous vote
Summary
The council adopted a resolution (6‑0) opposing House Bill 548 / Senate Bill 325, saying the measures would limit local zoning flexibility; staff summarized the bill's vesting, zoning, and fee‑collection provisions.
The Havre de Grace mayor and city council on Tuesday adopted a calendar resolution formally opposing the Maryland Housing Certainty Act (House Bill 548 and companion Senate Bill 325), expressing concern that the legislation would limit local authority over zoning and alter fee collection practices.
Council president moved the resolution, saying the bills would restrict local zoning autonomy. The council’s legislative aide summarized the three principal effects staff identified: once an application is submitted a project would be vested for five years; local governments could not change zoning laws in a way that affects a filed application; and the bills would shift the city’s ability to collect residential building permit fees to the certificate of occupancy (UNL), delaying fee collection until project completion.
After questions about historical permitting timelines and budget implications, councilmembers voted by roll call, 6‑0, to adopt the resolution (recorded as Calendar Resolution 2026‑03). The council instructed its legislative aide to transmit the adopted resolution to the appropriate state legislative contacts.
