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Council introduces zoning changes to allow accessory dwelling units by right, limits local size to 50%
Summary
To comply with a 2025 state law, Wicomico County introduced zoning amendments allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single‑family districts; the county said state law allows up to 75% of the primary dwelling but the county proposes a 50% local cap. Council set a public hearing for Aug. 18.
Wicomico County Councilors voted to introduce an amendment to the county zoning code on July 21 to adopt accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules required by Maryland Senate Bill 891. The measure would add a definition of ADU consistent with state law, make ADUs a permitted use in zoning districts that allow single-family dwellings, and provide development standards including setback and parking provisions.
Planning Director Tracy Taylor explained changes required by the state and said the county adopted most of the state-prescribed language while retaining some locally calibrated standards. "The state law says that the accessory dwelling unit can be up to 75% of the primary dwelling unit. We elected to keep it at 50%," Taylor said. The planning commission had recommended the changes and the county will hold a public hearing on Aug. 18 at 10 a.m.
Other points: the county will not count an ADU toward density limits in a zoning district; only one ADU is permitted per primary structure; the bill preserves an existing local parking waiver process to avoid triggering a countywide parking study; and health-department requirements for septic and land-evaluation reports remain a practical constraint for many parcels. Council voted unanimously to introduce the bill.
