Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and Comprehensive Map Amendment

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Zoning Ordinance and Map Adopted
The Mayor and Council voted unanimously to adopt the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and Comprehensive Map Amendment during their June 29, 2026 meeting. View the adopted Zoning Ordinance here. View the adopted zoning map here.

After several years of public engagement and deliberation, Rockville's Mayor and Council voted unanimously on June 29, 2026, to adopt a comprehensive overhaul of the city's zoning ordinance and zoning map.

The new zoning ordinance and map, which took effect August 1, 2026, establish a modern framework for how development, housing, parking, and growth will occur in Rockville for years to come. Among the legislation’s most significant policy changes are:

  • Significantly increases allowable building heights in transit-oriented areas.
  • Expands opportunities for a broader range of housing types, including “missing middle” housing such as multiplexes and cottage courts.
  • Eliminates or reduces minimum parking requirements in transit-oriented areas, along with adding new parking maximums.
  • Allows a wider range of business types in appropriate locations.
  • Streamlines development review and subdivision processes.
  • Reorganizes the ordinance and introduces high-quality graphics to enhance useability.

This comprehensive update was completed between Fall 2023 and Summer 2026. Prior to 2026, the city’s zoning ordinance was last rewritten in 2009. In the intervening years, there has continued to be a shift in land use practices and living arrangements, and the current zoning ordinance has not been flexible enough to accommodate these changes.

The Zoning Ordinance Rewrite followed the adoption of the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan in 2021 and implements the goals and policies of that plan, along with associated city plans and policies. Updating zoning rules support policies to improve quality of life, prepare for new and innovative businesses and construction methods, and address the future demands of the city. 

What is the Zoning Ordinance?

The city’s zoning ordinance is a set of laws and regulations found in Chapter 25 of the City Code. Zoning regulates what structures and land are used for, where a structure may be located on a lot, and how big structures can be. It also regulates other elements of site development, such as forest and tree preservation, accessory structures, parking, and the processes by which new development can be approved. Zoning laws and regulations are also the main way that the land use recommendations from the city’s comprehensive plan are implemented.

Land within the city is divided into different zoning districts (or “zones”), each of which has its own requirements. This way, use and development regulations are tailored to different parts of the city. The city’s zoning map shows how zones are currently applied in the city.

For additional information on the basics of zoning, check out Rockville Zoning 101.

Goals of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite

  • Achieve land use policy outcomes identified in the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

  • Accomplish goals from the FAST initiative as incorporated into Rockville 2040 — making the development review and permitting process Faster, Accountable, Smarter and Transparent.

  • Ensure compliance with current federal and state regulations.

  • Incorporate the city’s commitment to equity, resilience and sustainability, as described in the 2021 Mayor and Council social justice resolution and the 2022 Climate Action Plan.

  • Incorporate the best practices of planning and zoning, including housing variety and clear and objective standards.

  • Ensure writing and organization is clear, accessible, and easy to use.

What is included in the scope of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and Comprehensive Map Amendment?

The Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and Comprehensive Map Amendment touched on regulations including those related to:

  • Land use and urban design

  • Development review processes & procedures

  • Historic preservation

  • Housing

  • Transportation

  • And many others!


Zoning Ordinance and Map Adopted
The Mayor and Council voted unanimously to adopt the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and Comprehensive Map Amendment during their June 29, 2026 meeting. View the adopted Zoning Ordinance here. View the adopted zoning map here.

After several years of public engagement and deliberation, Rockville's Mayor and Council voted unanimously on June 29, 2026, to adopt a comprehensive overhaul of the city's zoning ordinance and zoning map.

The new zoning ordinance and map, which took effect August 1, 2026, establish a modern framework for how development, housing, parking, and growth will occur in Rockville for years to come. Among the legislation’s most significant policy changes are:

  • Significantly increases allowable building heights in transit-oriented areas.
  • Expands opportunities for a broader range of housing types, including “missing middle” housing such as multiplexes and cottage courts.
  • Eliminates or reduces minimum parking requirements in transit-oriented areas, along with adding new parking maximums.
  • Allows a wider range of business types in appropriate locations.
  • Streamlines development review and subdivision processes.
  • Reorganizes the ordinance and introduces high-quality graphics to enhance useability.

This comprehensive update was completed between Fall 2023 and Summer 2026. Prior to 2026, the city’s zoning ordinance was last rewritten in 2009. In the intervening years, there has continued to be a shift in land use practices and living arrangements, and the current zoning ordinance has not been flexible enough to accommodate these changes.

The Zoning Ordinance Rewrite followed the adoption of the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan in 2021 and implements the goals and policies of that plan, along with associated city plans and policies. Updating zoning rules support policies to improve quality of life, prepare for new and innovative businesses and construction methods, and address the future demands of the city. 

What is the Zoning Ordinance?

The city’s zoning ordinance is a set of laws and regulations found in Chapter 25 of the City Code. Zoning regulates what structures and land are used for, where a structure may be located on a lot, and how big structures can be. It also regulates other elements of site development, such as forest and tree preservation, accessory structures, parking, and the processes by which new development can be approved. Zoning laws and regulations are also the main way that the land use recommendations from the city’s comprehensive plan are implemented.

Land within the city is divided into different zoning districts (or “zones”), each of which has its own requirements. This way, use and development regulations are tailored to different parts of the city. The city’s zoning map shows how zones are currently applied in the city.

For additional information on the basics of zoning, check out Rockville Zoning 101.

Goals of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite

  • Achieve land use policy outcomes identified in the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

  • Accomplish goals from the FAST initiative as incorporated into Rockville 2040 — making the development review and permitting process Faster, Accountable, Smarter and Transparent.

  • Ensure compliance with current federal and state regulations.

  • Incorporate the city’s commitment to equity, resilience and sustainability, as described in the 2021 Mayor and Council social justice resolution and the 2022 Climate Action Plan.

  • Incorporate the best practices of planning and zoning, including housing variety and clear and objective standards.

  • Ensure writing and organization is clear, accessible, and easy to use.

What is included in the scope of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and Comprehensive Map Amendment?

The Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and Comprehensive Map Amendment touched on regulations including those related to:

  • Land use and urban design

  • Development review processes & procedures

  • Historic preservation

  • Housing

  • Transportation

  • And many others!


  • Upcoming Public Workshops

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    The Zoning team will be hosting two public workshops to inform the Rockville community about the ongoing Zoning Ordinance Rewrite & Comprehensive Map Amendment process. At these meetings, 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. These meetings are open to the public and all Rockville stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

    The city will be hosting two identical workshops. There is no need to attend both meetings - attend the meeting the best suits your schedule.

    • Thursday, October 17 at 7 p.m. - this meeting will be held virtually via Webex. Advanced registration is required. Register at this link.
    • Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. - this meeting will be held in person in the Mayor and Council Chambers at Rockville City Hall.

    The Zoning team will be hosting two public workshops to inform the Rockville community about the ongoing Zoning Ordinance Rewrite & Comprehensive Map Amendment process. At these meetings, 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. These meetings are open to the public and all Rockville stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

    The city will be hosting two identical workshops. There is no need to attend both meetings - attend the meeting the best suits your schedule.

    • Thursday, October 17 at 7 p.m. - this meeting will be held virtually via Webex. Advanced registration is required. Register at this link.
    • Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. - this meeting will be held in person in the Mayor and Council Chambers at Rockville City Hall.
Page last updated: 16 Sep 2026, 01:57 PM