About
The first contact most people have with the Department of Planning and Zoning is at the Public Service Counter. From here our staff answer questions from homeowners, developers, tradespeople, and others seeking information about Howard County's planning, zoning, and development activities.
Building Permit Processing
Although the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits issues building permits, the Planning and Zoning Department is a reviewing agency responsible for review and approval of various aspects of residential and commercial permit applications.
All commercial building permit applications require submission of the Zoning Supplemental Information Sheet. The permit applicant must complete this sheet and have it signed by Planning and Zoning staff prior to applying for the permit at the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.
For more information on the permit process, please visit the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits website.
For the status of a Permit in Process, please refer to the Inspection & Permits Online Permitting Service. To respond to comments please contact the reviewer directly or contact (410) 313-2350.
Zoning and Interactive Maps
The Department of Planning and Zoning maintains current Official Zoning Maps at the Public Service Counter, an online Zoning Map and a GIS Interactive Map.
Property Records
Property data are available through the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation Real Property Search. Record Plats are available through the Maryland State Archives.