DRAFT 2023
ARTICLE 1. TITLE, PURPOSE, AND APPLICABILITY 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-7
TITLE AND STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION PURPOSE APPLICABILITY TRANSITION RULES ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES EXEMPTION SEPARABILITY
1-1 TITLE AND STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION A. This Article, together with the Official Zoning Map adopted under it, is cited as the “Zoning Ordinance of Calvert County.” This Ordinance may be referred to as the “Zoning Ordinance” or the “Ordinance.” B. The Maryland General Assembly, in the Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, has established as policy of the State that the orderly development and use of land and structures requires comprehensive regulation through the implementation of planning and zoning control, and that planning and zoning controls are implemented by local government in order to, among other purposes, secure the public safety, health, and welfare, and promote the conservation of natural resources. 1-2 PURPOSE This Ordinance is intended to serve the following purposes: A. To execute the powers authorized to Calvert County by Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code. B. To ensure that the vision set forth in Calvert County’s Comprehensive Plan is implemented by land use regulations consistent with the goals set forth. C. To promote and protect public health, safety, and welfare for current and future generations. D. To preserve and enhance neighborhoods. E.
To preserve, protect, and promote the County’s employment base.
F.
To protect the County’s natural and cultural resources.
G. To provide oversight and planning to sustain the vibrancyhealthy growth of the County’s Town Centers. 1-3 APPLICABILITY A. Territorial Application This Ordinance applies to all the lands, uses, and improvements within the territorial limits of Calvert County, except for the incorporated territory of any municipality in the County. B. General Application In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Ordinance are held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion and protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. C. Required Conformance Any part or whole of a structure shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, andor enlarged in conformance with the requirements of this Ordinance. Any structure or land shall be used and occupied in conformance with the requirements of this Ordinance. D. Determination of Rights Attendant to a Parcel For the purpose of determining rights attendant to a parcel of land by virtue of the property being a discrete parcel, any determination as to the description of the parcel shall go back no further than the parcel as it existed in a deed under which the grantee in the deed held title to real property as of June 29, 1967. ED. Relation to Private Agreements Calvert County Zoning Ordinance
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