Montgomery County Planning Department

The Department aims to improve quality of life by conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for current and future generations. The Planning Department creates great communities by developing master plans, reviewing applications for development and analyzing various types of information to help public officials plan for Montgomery County's future. Each community within Montgomery County has a master plan that creates a comprehensive view of land use trends and future development. (Some jurisdictions within Montgomery County—such as the cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg and some smaller taxing districts such as Poolesville—have independent planning and zoning authority over land within their boundaries. Contact those jurisdictions directly for information about properties within their borders.) The 140-member Planning Department works under Director Rollin Stanley [PDF], and brings regulatory cases, master plans, functional plans and many other initiatives to the Montgomery County Planning Board. Planning Department staff provides recommendations, information, analysis and services to the Montgomery County Planning Board, the County Council, the County Executive, other government agencies and the general public. The Department functions within the context of a budget and work program annually recommended by the County Executive and approved by the County Council.