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County planning staff warns of state bills that could constrain local zoning control
Summary
Planning staff briefed commissioners on several governor-backed Maryland bills — including the Starter & Silver Homes Act (HB239/SB36), the 'builder housing option' bill (HB778), and the Maryland Housing Certainty Act (HB548/SB325) — saying the measures could significantly affect local control over density, lot splits and permit tolling; the Board of County Commissioners has sent letters of opposition and staff will monitor amendments and fiscal notes.
Calvert County planning staff updated the commission on a set of Maryland General Assembly bills that county officials say could alter local land-use authority.
Jason Brinkley, Director of Planning & Zoning, highlighted five bills staff has been tracking and singled out three with potentially significant local impact. He described HB239 (cross-filed as SB36), referred to in testimony as the Starter & Silver Homes Act of 2026, as a…
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