City of Annapolis
Maryland · Est. 1649
Resident Services

Planning & development.

Shape the future of Annapolis. Look up zoning, view active projects, learn about the historic district, and weigh in on plans that affect your neighborhood.

Look up any address Get zoning, historic district status, flood zone, and active projects in one search.

Planning topics

Browse by subject

Zoning & Land Use

Find your zoning district, permitted uses, setbacks, and density requirements. View the official zoning map.

Historic Districts

Maryland's largest National Historic Landmark District. Standards, design guidelines, and the role of the Historic Preservation Commission.

Comprehensive Plan

The Annapolis Ahead 2040 comprehensive plan guides growth, land use, transportation, and quality of life for the next 20 years.

Resilience & Climate

Sea-level rise, flooding, and climate adaptation. The City Dock Resilience Project is among the largest of its kind on the East Coast.

Critical Areas & Shoreline

Chesapeake Bay Critical Area regulations protect the bay's environment. Special rules apply to properties within 1,000 feet of tidal waters.

Housing & Affordability

The Annapolis Affordable Housing Strategy supports inclusionary zoning, accessory dwelling units, and housing partnerships.

Active development projects

In review or under construction

32 active projects in Annapolis

  • SDP-2025-0142

    Eastport Yacht Club Expansion

    317 First Street, Eastport
    Marina expansion adding 18 slips and ADA-compliant pier improvements. Critical Area buffer review required.
    SubmittedJan 2026
    TypeSite plan
    HearingJun 12
    Hearing scheduled View case → Submit comment
  • CDR-2026-0089

    City Dock Resilience — Phase II

    City Dock waterfront
    Phase II construction including elevated promenade, public plaza, and flood protection infrastructure.
    SubmittedMar 2026
    TypeCapital project
    Cost$54M
    Approved · Under construction View project → Construction updates
  • HPC-2026-0234

    56 Maryland Avenue · Rear Addition

    56 Maryland Avenue, Historic District
    Rear addition to historic 1840s rowhouse. Materials and massing under HPC review.
    SubmittedApr 2026
    TypeHPC review
    HearingJun 4
    Hearing scheduled View case → Submit comment
  • PUD-2025-0034

    West Annapolis Mixed-Use Development

    1820 West Street
    62-unit mixed-use development with 14 affordable units, ground-floor retail, and structured parking.
    SubmittedSep 2025
    TypePUD
    Units62 (14 AH)
    In staff review View case → Submit comment
  • ZON-2025-0018

    Forest Drive Corridor Rezoning

    Forest Drive · multiple parcels
    Comprehensive rezoning study to support mixed-income housing and transit-oriented development along Forest Drive.
    SubmittedOct 2025
    TypeRezoning
    StatusPublic input phase
    Public input open View study → Submit comment
  • VAR-2026-0067

    21 Cornhill Street · Setback Variance

    21 Cornhill Street, Historic District
    Variance request for 2-foot side setback reduction to accommodate ADA-compliant entry ramp.
    SubmittedFeb 2026
    TypeVariance
    StatusDecision pending
    Under appeal View case →

Plans & studies

Long-range planning

Annapolis Ahead 2040 Comprehensive Plan

The city's 20-year roadmap covering land use, transportation, housing, environment, and economy. Adopted October 2021.

Adopted Oct 2021 · 286 pages · 6 elements
Read the plan →

City Dock Resilience Plan

Comprehensive plan for flood mitigation and waterfront enhancement at the historic City Dock.

Updated 2024
View plan →

Climate Action Plan

Greenhouse gas reduction targets, adaptation strategies, and sustainability commitments through 2035.

Adopted 2023
View plan →

Affordable Housing Strategy

Roadmap for expanding affordable housing supply, including inclusionary zoning policies.

Adopted 2022
View strategy →

Bike & Pedestrian Master Plan

Multimodal transportation plan emphasizing safe walking, biking, and trail connections.

Updated 2024
View plan →

All plans & studies

183 documents in our planning library. Search by topic, year, neighborhood, or status.

183 documents available
Browse library →

How development review works

5 steps for residents and applicants

  1. Pre-application

    Applicant meets with staff to discuss scope, requirements, and likely path.

  2. Submission & review

    Plans submitted via CSS Portal. Staff review for compliance with code and plans.

  3. Public notice

    Properties posted, abutters notified by mail, and notice published. Comment opens.

  4. Hearing & decision

    Planning Commission, HPC, or staff hearing. Public testimony invited.

  5. Permit & construction

    After approval, applicants pull permits and begin construction with inspections.

Frequently asked questions

Planning & development
How do I find out what zoning my property is in?+
Use the address lookup tool at the top of this page, or open the interactive zoning map. You'll see your zoning district, permitted uses, setback requirements, and any overlay districts (historic, critical area, floodplain).
How can I comment on an active development project?+
Each project case page has a "Submit comment" button. Written comments must be received before the comment deadline (typically 7 days before the hearing). You can also sign up to speak at the public hearing. Comments become part of the official record.
What's the difference between Planning Commission and HPC?+
The Planning Commission reviews subdivisions, site plans, and zoning changes citywide. The Historic Preservation Commission reviews exterior changes to properties in the Historic District. Some projects (like additions to historic homes) require approval from both.
Do I need approval to paint my historic house?+
Paint color changes on historic district properties require HPC review. Many palette options are pre-approved; staff can review and approve administratively in many cases. Submit your proposed colors and we'll let you know quickly whether it needs a full HPC hearing.
I want to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Where do I start?+
ADUs are permitted in many residential zones with conditions on size, parking, and owner-occupancy. Start with the ADU regulations page or schedule a pre-application meeting with a planner to talk through your specific situation.
How do I get involved in long-range planning?+
Most plans go through extensive community engagement — community meetings, surveys, charrettes, and hearings. Sign up for planning notifications to be alerted when engagement opportunities open. You can also apply to serve on the Planning Commission or related advisory committees.