reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-202 - Zoning Regulations -- Adoption; Purposes

    (a)    The legislative body shall adopt zoning regulations:        (1)    in accordance with the plan;        (2)    with reasonable consideration for, among other things, the character of the district or zone and its suitability for particular uses; and        (3)    with a view to conserving the value of property and encouraging orderly development and the most appropriate use of land.    (b)    The zoning regulations shall be designed to:        (1)    control street congestion;        (2)    promote health, public safety, and general welfare;        (3)    provide adequate light and air;        (4)    promote the conservation of natural resources;        (5)    prevent environmental pollution;        (6)    properly manage growth and development; and        (7)    promote or facilitate adequate transportation, water, sewerage, schools, recreation, parks, and other public facilities.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-203 - Zoning Regulations -- Procedure; Public Hearings

    (a)    A legislative body shall provide for the manner in which its zoning regulations and the boundaries of districts and zones shall be established, enforced, and amended.    (b)    (1)    A legislative body shall hold at least one public hearing on a proposed zoning regulation or boundary at which parties in interest and citizens have an opportunity to be heard.        (2)    (i)    The legislative body shall publish notice of the time and place of the public hearing, together with a summary of the proposed zoning regulation or boundary, in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the local jurisdiction once each week for 2 successive weeks.            (ii)    The legislative body shall publish the first notice of the hearing at least 14 days before the hearing.        (3)    The zoning regulation or boundary may not become effective until 10 days after the hearing or hearings.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-204 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-204 - Zoning Regulations -- Amendment, Repeal, and Reclassification

    (a)    Zoning regulations and boundaries may be amended or repealed.    (b)    (1)    If the purpose and effect of a proposed map amendment is to change a zoning classification, the legislative body shall make findings of fact that address:            (i)    population change;            (ii)    the availability of public facilities;            (iii)    present and future transportation patterns;            (iv)    compatibility with existing and proposed development for the area;            (v)    the recommendation of the planning commission; and            (vi)    the relationship of the proposed amendment to the local jurisdiction’s plan.        (2)    The legislative body may grant the amendment to change the zoning classification based on a finding that there was:            (i)    a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood where the property is located; or            (ii)    a mistake in the existing zoning classification.        (3)    The legislative body shall keep a complete record of a hearing on an application for reclassification and the votes of the members of the legislative body.        (4)    A legislative body may not allow the filing of an application for a reclassification of all or part of any land for which a reclassification has been denied by the legislative body on the merits in the 12 months before the date of the application.        (5)    The provisions of § 4–203(b) of this subtitle concerning public hearings and notice apply to applications for reclassification.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-205 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-205 - Administrative Adjustments

    (a)    A legislative body may authorize the planning director or another designee to grant an administrative adjustment from the following requirements in a zoning law enacted by the legislative body:        (1)    height;        (2)    setback;        (3)    bulk;        (4)    parking;        (5)    loading, dimensional, or area; or        (6)    similar requirements.    (b)    Before developing criteria and procedures for administrative adjustments under this section, the legislative body shall:        (1)    consult with the planning commission and the board of appeals; and        (2)    provide:            (i)    reasonable public notice of the proposed criteria and procedures;            (ii)    an opportunity for a public hearing; and            (iii)    an opportunity for public review and comment.    (c)    The criteria for an administrative adjustment shall include:        (1)    standards for actions on requests;        (2)    standards for the classes of development that are eligible for an administrative adjustment; and        (3)    the maximum variation from a zoning requirement that is allowed under an administrative adjustment.    (d)    Procedures for administrative adjustments may address:        (1)    applications;        (2)    notice to the public and to the parties in interest;        (3)    an opportunity for a public hearing;        (4)    an opportunity for the taking of testimony and evidence; and        (5)    decision making.    (e)    A decision on an application for an administrative adjustment shall include written findings of fact and conclusions of law.    (f)    By enacting a local law or adopting a procedure, a legislative body may authorize the appeal to the board of appeals of a decision to approve or deny an administrative adjustment.    (g)    Nothing in this section is intended to authorize a local jurisdiction to allow an administrative adjustment to State or local requirements that are intended to protect environmentally sensitive areas such as streams, slopes, wetlands, natural heritage areas, or critical areas.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-206 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-206 - Variances

    (a)    By local law, a legislative body may specify in a zoning law the allowable modifications that may be made by a variance.    (b)    The modifications in a variance:        (1)    may be only of density, bulk, dimensional, or area requirements of the zoning law;        (2)    may be only allowed where, owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not because of any action taken by the applicant, a literal enforcement of the zoning law would result in unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty as specified in the zoning law; and        (3)    may not be contrary to the public interest.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-207 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-207 - Adaptive Reuse

    (a)    On application by a property owner, a legislative body may authorize how the uses allowed in a zoning classification are to be applied to a particular improved property by granting an adaptive reuse.    (b)    Before granting an adaptive reuse, the legislative body shall make specific findings, supported by facts in the record, that:        (1)    the change is consistent with the plan for the local jurisdiction;        (2)    the change is in the public interest and provides a positive benefit to the community; and        (3)    literal enforcement of the zoning classification would deprive the owner of all reasonable economically viable use of the property.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-208 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-208 - Exceptions -- Maryland Accessibility Code

    A legislative body shall provide for exceptions to the zoning law when necessary to bring an existing parking lot into compliance with the requirements for parking spaces for individuals with disabilities and the van–accessible parking ratio requirement of the Maryland Accessibility Code adopted under § 12–202 of the Public Safety Article.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-209 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-209 - Hearing Examiners

    (a)    A legislative body may appoint full– and part–time hearing examiners that it considers necessary and appropriate.    (b)    (1)    A legislative body may delegate to a hearing examiner the power to conduct a public hearing under §§ 4–204 and 4–205 of this subtitle.        (2)    A hearing shall be conducted under rules the legislative body adopts.    (c)    A hearing examiner shall recuse himself or herself from participating in a matter in which the hearing examiner may have a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest.    (d)    A legislative body shall determine the term of office, required qualifications, and compensation of a hearing examiner employed by the local jurisdiction.    (e)    A hearing examiner shall issue a written recommendation in the time, manner, and form required by the legislative body.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-210 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-210 - Permits and Variances - Solar Panels

    (a)    In this section, “critical area” includes the areas designated as the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area under § 8–1807 of the Natural Resources Article.    (b)    This section does not apply in the critical area.    (c)    For the purposes of issuing a permit or variance relating to zoning, construction, or stormwater for a project to install a solar panel, any calculation relating to the impervious surface of the project required by the State or local governing authority issuing the permit or variance may include only the foundation or base supporting the solar panel.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-211 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-211 - Energy Generating Systems

    (a)    In this section, “energy generating system” means an energy generating system:        (1)    for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity is required by State law; or        (2)    (i)    for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity is not required by State law; and            (ii)    that is not considered to be an accessory use under the zoning law of the local jurisdiction where the system is located.    (b)    If the primary reason for a proposed amendment to change a zoning classification on a parcel of land is the existence of an energy generating system on that parcel of land or on a parcel of land that is adjacent to or in close proximity to that parcel of land, a legislative body may not grant an amendment to change the zoning classification based on a finding that there was:        (1)    a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood where the property is located; or        (2)    a mistake in the existing zoning classification.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-212 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-212 - Agritourism

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “agritourism” means an activity conducted on a farm that is offered to a member of the general public or to invited guests for the purpose of education, recreation, or active involvement in the farm operation.    (2)    “Agritourism” includes:        (i)    farm tours;        (ii)    hayrides;        (iii)    corn mazes;        (iv)    seasonal petting farms;        (v)    farm museums;        (vi)    guest farms;        (vii)    pumpkin patches;        (viii)    “pick your own” or “cut your own” produce;        (ix)    classes related to agricultural products or skills; and        (x)    picnic and party facilities offered in conjunction with any agritourism activity.    (b)    A local jurisdiction may adopt the definition of “agritourism” as defined in this section by local ordinance, resolution, law, or rule.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-213 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-213 - Alcohol Production Defined

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “alcohol production” means an activity that is:            (i)    carried out by a license holder, as defined in § 1–101 of the Alcoholic Beverages Article; and            (ii)    related to the manufacture, packaging, storage, promotion, or sale of alcoholic beverages.        (2)    “Alcohol production” includes the use of an area to:            (i)    provide tastings of alcoholic beverages; or            (ii)    accommodate the license holder’s customers.    (b)    A local jurisdiction may adopt the definition of “alcohol production” as defined in this section by local ordinance, resolution, law, or rule.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-214 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 2 - Designation and Adoption|Section 4-214 - Agricultural Alcohol Production Defined

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “agricultural alcohol production” means an activity that:            (i)    is carried out by a license holder, as defined in § 1–101 of the Alcoholic Beverages Article;            (ii)    occurs on agricultural land; and            (iii)    is related to the manufacture, packaging, storage, promotion, or sale of alcoholic beverages that use ingredients produced on the agricultural land or any associated agricultural land.        (2)    “Agricultural alcohol production” includes the use of an area to:            (i)    provide tastings of alcoholic beverages; or            (ii)    accommodate the license holder’s customers.    (b)    A local jurisdiction may adopt the definition of “agricultural alcohol production” as defined in this section by local ordinance, resolution, law, or rule.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 3 - Board of Appeals|Section 4-301 - Required

    (a)    A legislative body shall provide for the appointment of a board of appeals.    (b)    The legislative body may not serve as the board of appeals.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 3 - Board of Appeals|Section 4-302 - Membership

    (a)    A board of appeals consists of at least three members.    (b)    A member of a board of appeals shall be appointed by the local executive and confirmed by the legislative body.    (c)    The term of office of a member of a board of appeals is 3 years.    (d)    (1)    A member of a board of appeals may be removed by the local executive for:            (i)    incompetence;            (ii)    misconduct; or            (iii)    in the same manner as for a member of a State board or commission:                1.    failure to attend meetings under § 8–501 of the State Government Article; or                2.    conviction of a crime in accordance with § 8–502 of the State Government Article.        (2)    The local executive shall provide to the member:            (i)    a written statement of charges stating the grounds for removal; and            (ii)    an opportunity for a public hearing to contest the charges.    (e)    The appointing authority shall appoint a new member to fill the unexpired term of any member who leaves a board of appeals.    (f)    (1)    A legislative body shall designate one or more alternate members for the board of appeals who may sit on the board when another member of the board is absent or recused.        (2)    When an alternate member is absent or recused, the legislative body may designate a temporary alternate.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 3 - Board of Appeals|Section 4-303 - Meetings; Compensation

    (a)    (1)    The meetings of a board of appeals shall be held at the call of the chair and at other times determined by the board.        (2)    The chair of a board of appeals or the acting chair may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses.        (3)    All meetings of a board of appeals shall be open to the public.    (b)    A member of a board of appeals may receive compensation that the legislative body considers appropriate.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 3 - Board of Appeals|Section 4-304 - Miscellaneous Duties

    (a)    A board of appeals shall adopt rules in accordance with any local law adopted under this division.    (b)    A member of a board of appeals shall recuse himself or herself from participating in a matter in which the member may have a conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict of interest.    (c)    (1)    (i)    A board of appeals shall make a recording of all proceedings with a contemporaneous written record showing the vote of each member on each question or the member’s absence or failure to vote.            (ii)    1.    A board of appeals shall immediately file the recording of its proceedings in the office of the board.                2.    The recording shall be a public record.        (2)    If a recording or a transcript of a recording is not prepared in the normal course of the board’s proceedings, the party who requests a copy of the recording or its transcript shall pay the cost of preparing the recording or transcript.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-305 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 3 - Board of Appeals|Section 4-305 - Powers -- Appeals; Special Exceptions; Variances

    A board of appeals may:        (1)    hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative officer or unit under this division or of any local law adopted under this division;        (2)    hear and decide special exceptions to the terms of a local law on which the board is required to pass under the local law; and        (3)    authorize on appeal in specific cases a variance from the terms of a local law.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 3 - Board of Appeals|Section 4-306 - Appeal -- Procedures

    (a)    An appeal to the board of appeals may be filed by:        (1)    a person aggrieved by a decision of the administrative officer or unit; or        (2)    an officer or unit of the jurisdiction affected by a decision of the administrative officer or unit.    (b)    A person shall file an appeal within a reasonable time  provided by the rules of the board of appeals by filing with the administrative officer or unit from whose action the appeal is taken and with the board of appeals a notice of appeal specifying the grounds of the appeal.    (c)    The administrative officer or unit from whose action the appeal is taken shall transmit promptly to the board all papers constituting the record of the action appealed.    (d)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an appeal to a board of appeals stays all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed.        (2)    If an administrative officer or unit certifies to the board of appeals facts stated in the certificate that indicate to the administrative officer or unit that a stay would cause imminent peril to life or property, the board of appeals or the circuit court may stay the proceedings:            (i)    only for good cause shown; and            (ii)    through issuing a restraining order after notice is given to the administrative officer or unit.    (e)    (1)    A board of appeals shall:            (i)    establish a reasonable time for the hearing of an appeal;            (ii)    give public notice of the existence of the appeal and of the hearing;            (iii)    give due notice to the parties in interest and to other persons entitled to notice under local law or the rules of the board of appeals; and            (iv)    decide the appeal within a reasonable time.        (2)    At a hearing, a party may:            (i)    appear in person; or            (ii)    be represented by an agent or attorney.    (f)    (1)    A board of appeals may, in conformity with this division:            (i)    wholly or partly reverse the order, requirement, or decision that is the subject of the appeal;            (ii)    wholly or partly affirm the order, requirement, or decision that is the subject of the appeal;            (iii)    modify the order, requirement, or decision that is the subject of the appeal; or            (iv)    issue a new order, requirement,  or decision.        (2)    The board of appeals shall have all the powers of the administrative officer or unit from whose action the appeal is taken.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-401 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 4 - Judicial Review|Section 4-401 - Procedure

    (a)    Any of the following persons may file a request for judicial review of a decision of a board of appeals or a zoning action of a legislative body by the circuit court of the county:        (1)    a person aggrieved by the decision or action;        (2)    a taxpayer; or        (3)    an officer or unit of the local jurisdiction.    (b)    The judicial review shall be in accordance with Title 7, Chapter 200 of the Maryland Rules.    (c)    This section does not change the existing standards for judicial review of a zoning action.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-402 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 4 - Judicial Review|Section 4-402 - Manner of Review; Additional Evidence

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the circuit court shall review the decision of a board of appeals or a hearing examiner under this subtitle on the record transmitted by the board of appeals or hearing examiner, and not de novo.    (b)    (1)    If, after a hearing, the circuit court determines that testimony is needed for the proper disposition of the matter, the court may take evidence or appoint a special magistrate to:            (i)    take the required evidence; and            (ii)    report the evidence to the court with the special magistrate’s findings of fact and conclusions of law.        (2)    The special magistrate’s evidence, findings, and conclusions shall constitute a part of the proceedings on which the court shall make its determination.
MD. Land Use Code Ann. §  4-403 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Land Use|Division I - Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning|Title 4 - Zoning|Subtitle 4 - Judicial Review|Section 4-403 - Costs

    The circuit court may not allow an award of costs against the board of appeals unless it appears to the court that the board, in making the decision that is the subject of the judicial review, acted:        (1)    with gross negligence;        (2)    in bad faith; or        (3)    with malice.