Eighteen members constitute the Commission. Of these, seven are appointed to three-year terms by the County Council; four are municipal representatives; and seven serve ex officio.
![[photo, Planning and Zoning Department, 215 Bay St., Easton, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/ta/images/buildings/1198-1-09789b.jpg)
Planning & Zoning Department, 215 Bay St., Easton, Maryland, May 2019. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Building codes are administered and enforced by the Planning and Zoning Department. The purpose of the codes is to set standards to safeguard life or limb, health, and public welfare. The codes apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of buildings or structures, or any appurtenances connected or attached to them in the County (County Charter, sec. 403; County Code, secs. 28-1 through 28-5).
Matters relating to planning and zoning are governed by both State and County laws. The Maryland Forest Conservation Act, for example, requires all county governments to adopt local forest conservation programs (Chapter 255, Acts of 1991; Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-1601 through 5-1613).
Under the Department is the Zoning Administration. The Department also is aided by the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board, the Agricultural Reconciliation Committee, the Historic Preservation Commission, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Board of [Zoning] Appeals.
Appointed by the County Council, the five members of the Advisory Board serve five-year terms (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1; County Code, secs. 5-1 through 5-8).
AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
Appointed to four-year terms by the County Council, the Committee consists of seven members (County Code, secs. 128-1 through 128-6).
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Appointed by the County Council, the Commission is composed of seven members who serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 8-101 through 8-501; County Code, secs. 190-36 through 190-51).
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
The Commission consists of five members appointed to five-year terms by the County Council (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304; County Charter, sec. 404).
SOLAR ARRAY COMMITTEE
HOUSING PROGRAM
ZONING ADMINISTRATION
Appointed by the County Council, the Board consists of five members and three alternates who serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406; County Charter, secs. 501-505; County Code, secs. 20-1 through 20-23, 190-1 through 190-123).
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AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
Created in 1981, the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board advises the County Council on the establishment of agricultural districts and the approval of purchases of easements within the County by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.
The Agricultural Reconciliation Committee arbitrates and mediates disputes involving agricultural operations conducted on agricultural lands. The Committee issues opinions on whether such operations conform with generally accepted agricultural management practices.
The Historic Preservation Commission works to preserve structures in the County which have historic value together with their appurtenances and environmental settings. Commission efforts seek to safeguard the heritage of the County by preserving the areas therein which reflect elements of its cultural, social, economic, political, architectural or archaeological history; foster rural and civic beauty; promote the preservation and the use (where permitted and appropriate) of historic districts for the education, welfare, and pleasure of the residents of the County; and strengthen the local economy. The Commission also maintains and updates an inventory of historic resources; and recommends programs and legislation to the County Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission to encourage historic preservation in the County.
The Planning and Zoning Commission makes recommendations to the County Planning Officer and the County Council relating to the Comprehensive Plan, zoning maps, and rules and regulations relating to zoning. The Commission has final decision-making authority over major subdivisions and commercial and industrial site plan review.
Appointed by the County Council in June 2016, the Solar Array Committee was organized in response to the County Council's temporary moratorium on the permitting of solar array energy systems that occupy an area of two or more acres.
Under the Planning and Zoning Department, the Housing Program oversees Emergency Housing Resources, Fair Housing, Foreclosure Prevention, Homebuyers Resources, Homeowners Resources, and Renters Resources. Additionally, the Program provides information on evictions, foreclosures, and utility shut-offs.
BOARD OF [ZONING] APPEALS
The Board of [Zoning] Appeals holds public hearings to hear requests for variances, conditional uses, and appeals relating to the County Code. The Board hears and decides appeals concerned with zoning matters, exclusive of rezoning; orders relating to licenses and permits; orders relating to building, subdivision, plumbing and electrical statutes or codes; and executive, administrative or adjudicatory orders. The Board may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and
require the production of evidence.
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