What's Hot: $1.4 Million: The Price for a House in DC Hit a New High in April | A $10,000 Incentive & the Final Chance to Buy at The Parks’ First Condominium
The Details of a Bill That Would Transform Single-Family Zoning in Maryland
Maryland House Delegate Vaughn Stewart formally introduced the Modest Home Choices Act of 2020 on Thursday, a bill which, as previewed last month in CityLab, would allow middle housing to be constructed on lots currently zoned for single homes. The bill would amend the state code to require certain census tracts allow construction of triplexes on residential-zoned lots that currently support only detached single-family homes.
The census tracts subject to this bill fit one of three definitions:
story continues below
loading...story continues above
- A "high opportunity" tract, where the median household income is at least twice the area median income;
- A "jobs-rich" residential tract, where there are at least 5,000 jobs per square mile;
- A "transit-rich" residential tract, where parcels are all within one mile of an existing train station or within a quarter-mile of a "high-quality bus corridor" where a bus runs on an average interval of ten minutes during weekday rush hour.
In the latter two categories, the median household income must also be equal to or greater than the area median income. Individual jurisdictions would be able to regulate how middle housing is designed or configured on single-family lots, as long as those regulations don't present a deterrent to the development.
If passed and signed into law, the bill would take effect this October, and jurisdictions would be required to adopt regulations in accordance with the bill by October 2022. Jurisdictions would be able to seek an extension if it is found that their water, sewer, or transportation services are "significantly deficient". The state's Department of Housing and Community Development would also have to create a "model middle housing ordinance" by April 2021.
The bill is one in a suite of bills Delegate Stewart is putting forth as part of his "Homes for All" package, which also includes strengthened tenant protections and a proposal for social housing. Relatedly, a statewide upzoning bill got the chop in Virginia last month.
See other articles related to: upzoning, missing middle housing, missing middle, middle housing, maryland general assembly, maryland, exclusionary zoning
This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/the-details-of-a-bill-that-would-transform-zoning-maryland/16436
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever

DC's homebuyer assistance programs can be a bit complex. This edition of First-Timer ... read »

The most detailed rendering yet has been unveiled for the 310-unit redevelopment of t... read »

A look around DC to find the most equity-rich neighborhoods.... read »

Developments both big and small are continuing to churn throughout the Anacostia area... read »

The National Capital Planning Commission will consider approval of the final master p... read »
- First-Timer Primer: DC's Home Buyer Assistance Programs
- Rendering Revealed for One of the Largest New Residential Developments in Friendship Heights
- Where Are People House-Rich in DC?
- The 17 Developments in the Works Between Anacostia and Buena Vista
- The Massive Development at DC's Armed Forces Home Looks to Get Key Approval in June
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Visit guides.urbanturf.com or start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro