![[photo, County Government Center, One West Market St., Snow Hill, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/wo/images/buildings/1198-1-08949c.jpg)
County Government Center, One West Market St., Snow Hill, Maryland, June 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
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).
Seven divisions carry out the Department's work: Administrative; Building; Customer Service; Data Research; Liquor License Control; Technical Services; and Zoning. The Department also is responsible for the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
BUILDING DIVISION
Seven members constitute the Board. They are appointed to four-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 12-501 through 12-508).
HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM
The Board determines applicable codes and requirements for property maintenance within the County, and hears appeals of such Property Maintenance Standards.
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to three-year terms, seven members constitute the Board (County Code, Building Regulation Article, sec. 3-104).
LIQUOR LICENSE CONTROL DIVISION
In Worcester County, the Board's three members are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent to four-year terms (Code Alcoholic Beverages Article, secs. 33-101 through 33-209).
ZONING DIVISION
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Board of Zoning Appeals consists of three members and one alternate who serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406).
In February 2023, the Department of Tourism and Economic Development moved from 100 Pearl Street to 107 West Green Street in Snow Hill, Maryland.
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BUILDING CODE APPEALS BOARD
The Building Code Appeals Board hears and decides upon appeals of the provisions of the International Building Code and International Residential Code for one-family and two-family dwellings.
HOUSING REVIEW BOARD
In 2003, the Housing Review Board was formed by the Board of County Commissioners.
BOARD OF [LIQUOR] LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
The Board of License Commissioners regulates the retail sale of alcoholic beverages in Worcester County (Code Alcoholic Beverages Article, secs. 33-101 through 33-209).
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 where it is alleged there is any error in any zoning order, requirement, decision, or Determination. It also interprets district boundaries on official zoning maps. Upon appeal, in specific cases, the Board may authorize such variances as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty.
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Tourism and Economic Development originated as two separate agencies: the Department of Economic Development and the Tourism Office. They combined in July 2020 to form the Department of Tourism and Economic Development.
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