ELLICOTT CITY, MD – On behalf of Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Department of Planning & Zoning today filed a petition (ZRA-218) with the County Council Board Administrator seeking to revise existing zoning regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and aligning them with the broader goals of Howard County’s General Plan, HoCo By Design, the County’s Housing Opportunities Master Plan, and the State of Maryland’s recently adopted ADU law.
Howard County is leading the statewide effort to draft and propose amendments to its zoning regulations that will facilitate the integration of ADUs into existing neighborhoods.
These zoning amendments expand affordable housing choices across our county, particularly for the next generation of our workforce and older adults looking to downsize while staying in our community. Whether it is college students or recent graduates; essential service providers like teachers, nurses or childcare providers; family members; or retirees, ADUs will create a variety of smaller housing options throughout our community that will meet a diverse set of needs. By supporting the development of ADUs, we will strengthen our neighborhoods, promote equity, and create a more inclusive and resilient housing landscape for everyone.
Accessory dwelling units are smaller, independent homes located on the same property as a primary residence. The proposed amendments build directly on the recommendations outlined in HoCo By Design and the Housing Opportunities Master Plan, which calls for more diverse and affordable housing options across all neighborhoods. Expanding opportunities for ADUs supports this vision by creating smaller, lower-cost homes that meet residents where they are, whether they are young adults seeking their first home, community members with disabilities in need of flexible living arrangements, or older adults looking for ways to age in place and remain in their communities.
“These amendments streamline and improve ADU regulations to make development more flexible and accessible,” explains Department of Planning and Zoning Director, Lynda Eisenberg. “By allowing a wider range of unit types, relaxing lot size requirements while ensuring neighborhood character is preserved through established setback requirements, and removing owner-occupancy restrictions, we are creating practical pathways for expanding housing affordability across the county.”
HB 1466, passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2025, establishes a clear policy directive to promote and encourage the creation of ADUs as a means of addressing the diverse housing needs of Maryland residents. The legislation requires counties and municipalities to adopt local laws by October 1, 2026, authorizing the development of ADUs on qualifying properties, subject to specific requirements.
The proposed changes would make it easier to build different types of ADUs, like small, detached cottages, garage apartments, townhome basement units, or in-law suites. Expanding detached ADUs to all single-family residential housing types: detached, semi-detached, and attached, makes building and financing the dwellings more feasible and helps expand affordable housing options for the community.
The ADU Zoning Regulation Amendment will be reviewed at the Thursday, October 16th Planning Board meeting at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City. Information regarding the meeting can be found at the Planning Board’s website beginning October 2nd.