Key Dates

After several years of public engagement and deliberation, Rockville's Mayor and Council voted unanimously on June 29 to adopt the Zoning Ordinance and zoning map, comprehensive overhauling the city's zoning regulations and zoning map.

See this News Item for links to the adopted Zoning Ordinance and map, as well as the final motions, which included several minor amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

Final versions of the Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map were published to Engage Rockville. The Final Staff Drafts reflect:

• Mayor and Council direction
• Technical corrections and minor policy updates

See this News Item for links to the Final Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and map, as well as a document outlining the changes made in the Final Staff Drafts.

On May 11, the Mayor and Council hosted their final work session on the Revised Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map. The work session included Mayor and Council discussion on Revised Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance Articles 9-13:

9. Nonconformities

10. Signs

11. Historic Preservation

12. Plats & Subdivision

13. Enforcement

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting is available to watch on-demand here. The work session starts 2 hours into the meeting. 

On May 11, the Mayor and Council hosted public hearings and a work session on the Revised Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map. Because the ZOR and CMA are two separate legislative items, individual public hearings for each item were held. 

The work session included Mayor and Council discussion on Revised Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance Articles 6-8:

6. Uses & Use Standards

7. Zone Standards

8. General Development Requirements

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting is available to watch on-demand here. The public hearings start 25 minutes, as well as 2 hours and 3 minutes into the meeting. The work session starts 2 hours and 33 minutes into the meeting. 

On May 4, the Mayor and Council hosted public hearings and a work session on the Revised Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map. Because the ZOR and CMA are two separate legislative items, individual public hearings for each item were held. 

The work session included Mayor and Council discussion on Revised Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance Articles 1-5:

1.  General Provisions
2.  Definitions, Interpretations, & Measurement
3.  Administration
4.  Development Applications, Permits, & Procedures
5.  Zones & Zoning Map

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting is available to watch on-demand here. The public hearing for the Zoning Ordinance starts 1 hour and 13 minutes into the meeting. The public hearing for the Comprehensive Map Amendment starts 1 hour and 22 minutes into the meeting. The worksession starts 2 hours and 4 minutes into the meeting. 

Revised Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map were published to Engage Rockville. The Revised Staff Drafts reflect:

• Mayor and Council direction on Planning Commission recommendations
• Technical corrections and minor policy updates
• Plain language revisions

See this News Item for links to the Revised Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and map, as well as a document outlining the changes made in the Revised Staff Drafts.

On April 13, the Mayor and Council hosted their first public hearings and work session on the Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map. Because the ZOR and CMA are two separate legislative items, individual public hearings for each item were held.  

The work session included Mayor and Council's discussion and direction on Planning Commission recommendations for the Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map. Following this work session, a Revised Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map reflecting Council's direction were published to Engage Rockville.

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here. The public hearing for the Zoning Ordinance starts 1 hour and 28 minutes into the meeting. The public hearing for the Comprehensive Map Amendment starts 1 hour and 46 minutes into the meeting. The worksession starts 3 hours and 36 minutes into the meeting.

On February 25, the Planning Commission formalized their recommendation to the Mayor and Council on the Staff Draft Zoning Map and zoning map. 

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here. The agenda item starts at the beginning of the meeting.

On February 11, the Planning Commission will hosted their fourth work session and fourth public hearing on the Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map. Topics discussed during the work session included: 

• Zones.
• Zoning map amendments.
• Development standards.
• Sign regulations.
• Validity periods.
• Transitional provisions.
• Follow-up from the Jan. 28 meeting

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here. The public hearing starts at the beginning of the meeting. The worksession starts 35 minutes into the meeting.

On February 4, the Planning Commission hosted their third public hearing and third work session on the staff draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map. Topics discussed during the work session included: 

• Language
• Purpose statements
• Development review processes
• Follow-up from the Jan. 28 meeting

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here. The public hearing starts at the beginning of the meeting. The worksession starts 31 minutes into the meeting.

On January 28, the Planning Commission hosted their second public hearing and second work session on the Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map. Topics discussed during the work session included: 

• Fencing, including deer mesh.
• Use standards. 
• Nonconformities. 
• Development standards.
• Update: Pending State Legislation.

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here. The public hearing starts at the beginning of the meeting. The worksession starts 37 minutes into the meeting.

On January 14, the Planning Commission hosted their first public hearing and first work session on the Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map. Topics discussed during the work session included: 

• Historic preservation.
• Comprehensive Map Amendment: Planning Area 12 (Tower Oaks) and Planning Area 10 (Montrose and North Farm).
• Parking, including minimums, maximums and by-right adjustments. 
• Pedestrian and bicycle facilities. 
• Amenity space.

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here. The public hearing starts at the beginning of the meeting. The worksession starts 44 minutes into the meeting.

Community Planning and Development Services staff hosted a public meeting to guide community members through how to view the draft Zoning Ordinance, view the draft Comprehensive Map Amendment map and demonstrate how to provide comments to the city throughout the adoption process.  

This is an identical orientation to the one held on December 4. A recording of the January 7 Orientation session can be viewed here. The slide deck from the meeting can be viewed here. 

Following the Mayor and Council's "authorization to file" on December 1, the Planning Commission was briefed on the Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and Staff Draft Zoning Map on December 10. During this meeting, the Planning Commission also identified which topics they'd like to schedule for further discussion at future worksessions in early 2026. 

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here. The briefing starts 19 minutes into the meeting. 

The Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and zoning map were published to Engage Rockville. See this News Item for links to the Revised Staff Draft Zoning Ordinance and map, as well as a document outlining the changes made in the Revised Staff Drafts.

Community Planning and Development Services staff hosted a public meeting to guide community members through how to view the draft Zoning Ordinance, view the draft Comprehensive Map Amendment map and demonstrate how to provide comments to the city throughout the adoption process.  

This is an identical orientation to the one being held on January 7. A recording of the December 4 Orientation session can be viewed here. The slide deck from the meeting can be viewed here. 

During the October 8 Planning Commission meeting, the body will discuss a variety of miscellaneous topics that have yet to be discussed by the Planning Commission, including historic preservation, subdivision, nonconformities, and signs. This follows similar discussion by the Mayor and Council taking place on September 29. Please note that this meeting was previously scheduled to take place on September 24.  

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here. The worksession starts 29 minutes into the meeting.

A recording of the meeting is available to watch on demand here. The slide deck from the meeting can be viewed here. 

During the August 13 Planning Commission meeting, the body will discuss the parking and use standards being contemplated as a part of the ZOR. This meeting was previously scheduled for July 23. 

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here.

As a part of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite (ZOR) and Comprehensive Map Amendment (CMA) project, city staff hosted meetings about the Comprehensive Map Amendment on June 24 and June 26. 

At the meeting, city staff shared an updated project timeline, provided draft standards for proposed new zones and updated the community on the latest guidance and direction from the Mayor and Council regarding staff’s proposal for a comprehensive rezoning in alignment with the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

These meetings were open to the public, but were heavily geared towards the owners of properties that are proposed for rezoning and owners of properties in the vicinity of those proposed for rezoning. The properties proposed for rezoning in the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan can be viewed on this map. 

The slides presented at the meeting can be found here. A recording of the meeting is available to view on-demand here. 

As a part of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite (ZOR) and Comprehensive Map Amendment (CMA) project, city staff hosted meetings on the Comprehensive Map Amendment on June 24 and June 26. 

At the meeting, city staff shared an updated project timeline, provided draft standards for proposed new zones and updated the community on the latest guidance and direction from the Mayor and Council regarding staff’s proposal for a comprehensive rezoning in alignment with the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

These meetings were open to the public, but were heavily geared towards the owners of properties that are proposed for rezoning and owners of properties in the vicinity of those proposed for rezoning. The properties proposed for rezoning in the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan can be viewed on this map. 

The slides for the meeting can be found here. A recording of the meeting is available to view on-demand here. 

The Planning Commission discussed elements of the ZOR, specifically the development review process, in coordination with the city’s FAST (faster, accountable, smarter, transparent) Phase 2 initiative, at their meeting on June 11. 

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be viewed here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here. 

The Planning Commission is anticipated to discuss the ZOR three separate times this summer, with the first being on May 28. This meeting focused on new zones, changes to existing zones, height transitions in the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite, as well as the rezonings proposed to be implemented through the Comprehensive Map Amendment. 

The brief book, including staff report, for the meeting can be found here. A recording of the meeting is available to view on-demand here. 

On January 27, 2025, the Mayor and Council held a work session on the Comprehensive Map Amendment portion of the project, specifically focusing on the rezonings recommended in the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan. During this work session, staff presented the Focus Areas that the Comprehensive Plan recommends for rezoning along with staff’s proposed zoning (staff’s proposed rezoning is intended to implement the Comprehensive Plan recommendations), and asked Mayor and Council for direction.

Since the engagement that occurred for the project in the fall, staff’s proposed rezoning for one Focus Area has changed:

• Planning Area 10, Focus Area 1 (Montrose and North Farm): Staff proposes creating a new, higher-density residential zone, limited to residential uses, and applying this zone to the majority of the Focus Area, which includes all of Rollins Park and Congressional Towers. This will implement the Comprehensive Plan recommendation that “A new, higher-density residential zone, limited to residential uses, is appropriate for the remainder of the site to permit new investment and upgrades, though it should not result in residential displacement.”

All other proposed rezonings remain the same.

The brief book for the meeting, which includes the staff report, can be found here. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on-demand here. 

This meeting was one in a series of three meetings held the evening of November 12; the afternoon of November 13; and the morning of November 14; for owners of property recommended for rezoning within the Comprehensive Plan & owners of property within 100' of a Comprehensive Plan recommended rezoning. At these virtual meetings, the project team provided information on the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite & Comprehensive Map Amendment, with a particular focus on the specific rezonings recommended by the Comprehensive Plan. The end of the meeting included time for Q&A. These meetings have the same agenda and presentation, but the questions asked during Q&A may differ.

The slides for the meeting can be found here. A recording of the workshop can be viewed on-demand here.

This meeting was one in a series of three meetings held the evening of November 12; the afternoon of November 13; and the morning of November 14; for owners of property recommended for rezoning within the Comprehensive Plan & owners of property within 100' of a Comprehensive Plan recommended rezoning. At these virtual meetings, the project team provided information on the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite & Comprehensive Map Amendment, with a particular focus on the specific rezonings recommended by the Comprehensive Plan. The end of the meeting included time for Q&A. These meetings have the same agenda and presentation, but the questions asked during Q&A may differ.

The slides for the meeting can be found here. A recording of the workshop can be viewed on-demand here.

This meeting was one in a series of three meetings held the evening of November 12; the afternoon of November 13; and the morning of November 14; for owners of property recommended for rezoning within the Comprehensive Plan & owners of property within 100' of a Comprehensive Plan recommended rezoning. At these virtual meetings, the project team provided information on the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite & Comprehensive Map Amendment, with a particular focus on the specific rezonings recommended by the Comprehensive Plan. The end of the meeting included time for Q&A. These meetings have the same agenda and presentation, but the questions asked during Q&A may differ.

The slides for the meeting can be found here. A recording of the workshop can be viewed on-demand here.

Learn more about the ongoing Zoning Ordinance Rewrite by attending a public workshop. At this meeting the team will introduce the project and provide background, lay out the project timeline, share project milestones to date, introduce the Engage Rockville page for the project and host a Q&A. This meeting will take place in the Mayor and Council Chambers at Rockville City Hall. The meeting will start promptly at 7 p.m.

This meeting has the same agenda and presentation as the virtual public workshop scheduled for October 17 - attend the meeting the best fits your schedule, but there is no need to attend both meeting dates. 

A public workshop was held to help residents learn more about the ongoing Zoning Ordinance Rewrite. At this virtual meeting, the team introduced the project and provided background, laid out the project timeline, shared project milestones to date, introduced the Engage Rockville page for the project and hosted a Q&A. 

This meeting has the same agenda and presentation as the in person public workshop scheduled for October 22 - attend the meeting the best fits your schedule, but there is no need to attend both meeting dates. 

The slides for the meeting can be found here. A recording of the workshop can be viewed on-demand here.

Planning Commission Agenda Packet

Watch a recording of the meeting here.