Queen Anne's County, MD Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)

Section 18:1-28A describes the TC District as higher-density, mixed-use development and redevelopment along the Chester Main Street corridor identified in the Chester/Stevensville Community Plan: MD Route 18, Main Street, Postal Road and Piney Creek Service Road. Design standards are built into the district to foster an attractive, pedestrian-oriented pattern of mixed-use development that focuses on local roads as opposed to U.S. 50/301.

Subsection D(5) governs all new development, infill, redevelopment and renovations. The guidelines are adopted by Resolution of the County Commissioners No. 08-05, the Town Center and Urban Commercial design standards for commercial and mixed-use development. The Planning Commission considers them, and the community design objectives of the Chester/Stevensville Community Plan, in every review. The code itself prints ten specific provisions, (a) through (j). Front setbacks should be reduced to bring buildings closer to the street and sidewalks, and side setbacks and yards between buildings should be reduced. Roadside sidewalks are required when sites are developed or redeveloped. Parking location and layout, exterior lighting, building design, materials and colors, screening of mechanical equipment and outside storage, and pedestrian-oriented open spaces must follow the design standards. Newly installed utility and service connections are to be placed underground wherever possible, and multiple-story buildings with commercial ground floors and office or residential upper floors are encouraged.

Process matters too. Section 18:1-28E requires a preapplication conference between the applicant and Department of Planning and Zoning staff for all TC District development. Under § 18:1-28G, the number of plantings matches the UC District, and plantings can be relocated or increased to accomplish the design standards.

The wording differs by district. The Kent Island Suburban Commercial District, § 18:1-21.1G, says development shall conform to the same guidelines. In the SC and VC Districts, § 18:1-37B adds printed guidelines such as facades greater than 100 feet in length incorporating recesses and projections along at least 20% of their length, and smooth-faced concrete block, tilt-up panels or prefabricated steel panels not exceeding 50% of the structure.