COVID-19 Business Processes

Department Business Processes During COVID

The Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) has returned to in-person service delivery. However, some staff continue to work off-site on a limited basis. 

Division Of Land Development

Plan review will continue through the electronic submission process (PDox). The following new protocols have been established to continue operations at reduced on-site staffing levels:

Electronic Signature Process: To accelerate and modernize processing of plans, DPZ is excited to begin accepting plan submissions for Electronic Signatures.  The development review process will remain the same up to the Technically Complete (TC) stage.  Plan submissions will be uploaded electronically through ProjectDox (PDox) and routed to all Agency reviewers electronically for signatures. This process anticipates a 3 week turn around for all signatures from date of submission.  DPZ anticipates, in some cases, a savings of 4-6 weeks from the current physical signature process.  For more information go to Other Processes and Procedures section on the Development Process and Procedures page.

Appointments: Applicants may request in-person or intake appointments by contacting Melissa Maloney at mmaloney@howardcountymd.gov.  Materials can also be scanned and emailed to DPZ using the link below, or submitted via drop box as described below. DPZ will collect drop box items daily and will process them from 8:30am-11am.

Paper and Mylar Submissions: Residential walk-thru permits, and all physical plan submissions can be mailed to the Howard County Planning and Zoning, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043 or dropped into the bin labeled ‘DLD’ in the George Howard Building lobby. Applicants may request an in-person paper and mylar submission appointment by emailing Melissa Maloney at mmaloney@howardcountymd.gov.   

Payments: The Cashier’s Office is now open to the public for payment of fees.  Applicants may also mail in payment, drop off payment checks in the metal drop box located outside the George Howard Building, or place it in the DLD drop box. Please secure payment in an envelope and send them attention to Department of Planning and Zoning. Receipt forms can be filled out digitally and once the check is received, DPZ staff will deposit it with the cashier. A copy of the receipt will be emailed at the applicant’s request.   

Notification Signs: Signs notifying the community about a project in for review must be paid for in advance and can be picked up at the front desk of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043.  

Development Engineering Division

It has been determined that traffic counts have normalized for the AM and PM peak hours on county roads.  Traffic Counts for Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) Road Test evaluations should be performed in accordance with requirements within Chapter 4 of Design Manual Volume III.

Contact Info: 

Planners will be available via email and phone to help answer questions.

• For general inquiries or to speak with the planner or engineer of the day, please call 410-313-2350 or email us using the link below.
• For information related to agricultural preservation, historic preservation, historic preservation applications, or for a demolition form, call 410-313-2350 or email us using the link below.
• Contact information for individual programs can be found on the website, as well as applications, forms and fees.