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These statutes require Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties to prepare a six-year capital improvements program (§§118-112–117). They stipulate that annual capital budgets may only include projects listed in the approved CIP.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Maryland’s planning enabling statute requires comprehensive plans to include a sensitive areas element to protect these spaces from adverse impacts of development (§3-104). The state’s Departments of the Environment and Natural Resources review the element to ensure that the plan aligns with state programs and goals.

Anne Arundel County's 2009 General Development Plan includes a conservation element, as required by this statute.

Planning and Zoning Enabling Laws

Maryland requires some counties, cities, towns, and villages to prepare comprehensive plans. And it authorizes some counties, cities, towns, and villages  to adopt zoning regulations.

Transfer of Development Rights

Maryland’s planning enabling statute authorizes counties and municipalities to establish transfer of development rights programs to preserve natural resources and facilitate orderly growth and development (§7-201). It also authorizes transfer of development rights in priority funding areas to help local governments acquire land for public facilities (§7-202).