Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Charles County, MD (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Charles County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Density Bonus Law
Charles County lets residential developments exceed base zoning density in exchange for Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs) under Zoning Ordinance § 297-243. Any project using the density bonus authorized by § 297-75 must set aside a minimum of 12.5% MPDUs, and that share climbs on a defined percentage scale as the achieved density bonus grows, up to 75% MPDUs at the maximum bonus the County Commissioners will approve.
Charles County's MPDU Density Bonus Table
Some RestrictionsCharles County Code § 297-243
When the development at one location is in a residential zone in which a density bonus is provided and is covered by a plan of subdivision, is covered by a plan of development or a site plan or requires a building permit to be issued for construction, the required number of moderately priced dwelling units is a variable percentage that is not less than 12.5% of the total number of dwelling unit...
Downtown Design Guide
Buildings in Charles County's Waldorf Central and Acton Urban Center zones must conform to the architectural guidelines of the Downtown Waldorf Vision Plan and Design Guidelines, a county-adopted design standard layered on top of the base zoning code.
Waldorf Downtown Design Guidelines Requirement
Some RestrictionsCharles County, MD Zoning Ordinance § 297-97E(4)(a)
(4) Design guidelines. Within the Waldorf Central and the Acton Urban Center zones: (a) Buildings shall conform to the architectural guidelines of the Downtown Waldorf Vision Plan and Design Guidelines.
All Charles County ordinances
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