I am writing to highlight recently filed state legislation that would significantly limit, or potentially eliminate, key powers of local zoning authorities in Maryland, including the Town of Oxford.
The following bills propose changes to the Land Use Article that would pre-empt local land use authority:
Senate Bill 036
“Land Use – Zoning – Limitations (Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026)”
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0036?ys=2026RS
Sponsored by the Chair of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee (by request of the Department of Housing and Community Development).
Status: In the Senate; hearing scheduled for February 17 at 1:00 p.m.
The bill would prohibit local jurisdictions from adopting or enforcing certain zoning provisions related to lot size, dimensions, setbacks, lot coverage, and architectural design elements for certain single-family homes. It would also prohibit local jurisdictions from restricting certain housing types and subdivisions in specific zones.
This bill was introduced by request of the Governor.
House Bill 0239 (cross-filed with SB 036)
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0239?ys=2026RS
House Bill 0548
“Land Use – Permitting Development Rights (Maryland Housing Certainty Act)”
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0548?ys=2026RS
Senate Bill 036 and House Bill 0239 are written to preempt local zoning regulations. I urge readers to review the draft legislation carefully to understand how these changes could affect local control over land use decisions.
If you have concerns or questions, please contact your representatives and the Governor:
Delegate Christopher T. Adams
District 37B (Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot & Wicomico Counties)
Room 405, Lowe House Office Building
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3343
1-800-492-7122 ext. 3343
[email protected]
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/Details/adams01
Senator John F. (Johnny) Mautz IV
District 37 (Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot & Wicomico Counties)
Room 402, James Senate Office Building
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3590
1-800-492-7122 ext. 3590
[email protected]
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/Details/mautz02
District Office: 8695 Commerce Drive, Easton, MD 21601
(410) 829-2524
Governor Wes Moore
(410) 974-3901
Thank you for helping inform the community about legislation that could significantly impact local zoning authority and decision-making.
Rebecca Ellison
Oxford
Mary Smith says
Oxford is pointing its frustration in the wrong direction. The state is reacting to counties that have kept housing supply artificially tight for years. Talbot’s rural zoning is among the most restrictive in Maryland, yet towns are the ones being told to absorb growth. That imbalance is what invites Annapolis to step in.
If Oxford wants to defend local control, it should press Talbot County to modernize its land use rules. Let property owners use the density rights they already hold. Allow modest clustered housing on rural acreage instead of forcing subdivision and wiping out remaining rights. Clustering still preserves most of the farmland. Address the bottleneck at the county level and the argument for state preemption weakens considerably.