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Pocomoke City holds first reading of zoning-text amendment to extend nonconforming-use period
Summary
At first reading April 20, Pocomoke City Council considered Ordinance 2026-09 to amend section 230-15 to extend the time a nonconforming use may remain from six months to 12 months; the planning commission recommended the change and a public hearing is set for May 18, 2026.
The Pocomoke City Council on April 20 conducted the first reading of Ordinance 2026-09, a zoning-text amendment that would change section 230-15 subsection B1 to allow a non-conforming use to persist for 12 months (instead of the current six months) before the use terminates.
The ordinance text states the mayor and council received feedback and observed that the existing six-month limit placed hardship on property owners. The council noted that neighboring jurisdictions including Worcester County, Snow Hill and Berlin have a 12-month period for nonconforming uses. The planning and zoning commission gave a favorable recommendation on March 26, 2026.
The proposed amendment would replace the word 'six' with '12' in SS230-15B1 so the code would read that a nonconforming use that ceases for 12 months or more shall not be returned to nonconforming use. A public hearing on the ordinance was scheduled for May 18, 2026; copies of the proposed ordinance will be available at City Hall.
Because this item was a first reading, no final vote was taken at the April 20 meeting; the council announced the public hearing date and materials availability and will consider final passage at a later meeting.
