Legislation Details

Reference No. CB-063-2026    Draft No. 1
Type: Council Bill Status: Held in Committee
Meeting Body Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee
Meeting Date 6/9/2026
Introduced Date Public Hearing Date
Effective date:    
Title: AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING USE REGULATIONS - RESIDENTIAL INFILL for the purpose of promoting higher density residential development by permitting infill two-family and townhouse dwellings in the Residential, Rural (RR) Zone inside the Capital Beltway; providing for use standards for infill dwellings in the RR Zone; amending intensity and dimensional standards for infill dwellings within the RR Zone; setting forth minimum and maximum parking standards for infill dwellings within the RR Zone.
Proposers/Sponsors: Wanika Fisher
Code sections: 27-4202 - , 27-5101 - , 27-5102 -
Attachments: 1. B2026063, 2. CB-063-2026 Summary, 3. LDR-80-2026 Planning Board Recommendation, 4. LDR-80-2026 TSR Supplemental Memo, 5. LDR-80-2026 Technical Staff Report, 6. LDR-80-2026_Map 20 assamblage lots, 7. LDR-80-2026_Map 20 plus acres lots, 8. PGCPB Transmittal Pink Sheet for LDR-080-2026, 9. email Transmittal of draft legislative amendments, 10. CB-063-2026 DR-1 PAFI Residential Infill Act_Final
Contact: Eric Irving, Legislative Attorney
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
7/2/20261 Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee Held in CommitteePass Action details Meeting details Video Video
6/9/20261 County Council presented and referred  Action details Meeting details Video Video
5/8/20261 M-NCPPC Planning Board Support proposed legislative amendment with amendments  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/22/20261 M-NCPPC Technical Staff Oppose proposed legislative amendment with amendments  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/8/20261 Clerk of the Council transmitted  Action details Meeting details Not available

Title

AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING USE REGULATIONS - RESIDENTIAL INFILL for the purpose of promoting higher density residential development by permitting infill two-family and townhouse dwellings in the Residential, Rural (RR) Zone inside the Capital Beltway; providing for use standards for infill dwellings in the RR Zone; amending intensity and dimensional standards for infill dwellings within the RR Zone; setting forth minimum and maximum parking standards for infill dwellings within the RR Zone.

 

Background

This bill expands the allowable residential uses in the Residential, Rural (RR) Zone to permit high density dwellings under limited circumstances. Subtitle 27 of the County Code permits only single-family detached dwellings by right in the RR Zone, a zone characterized by larger lot sizes (min. 20K sq ft) and lower allowable density (2.17 dwelling units per acre). This bill amends the use table to allow two-family and townhomes on lots in the RR Zone, provided that the lot is located both inside the Capital Beltway and within a half mile of transit service or 500 feet of higher density residential zones. To accommodate these higher density uses, this bill also amends the intensity and dimensional standards of the RR Zone, eliminating the minimum lot size and increasing both allowable density and maximum lot coverage. Finally, the bill requires detailed site plan review of these higher density uses, requiring applicants to demonstrate compatibility with the surrounding area, set aside area for green/open space and provide for at least one public benefit.