Maryland Land Use Section 4.01

      (a)      (1)      It is the policy of this State that:

                  (i)      The orderly development and use of land and structures requires comprehensive regulation through the implementation of planning and zoning controls; and

                  (ii)      Planning and zoning controls shall be implemented by local government.

            (2)      To achieve the public purposes of this regulatory scheme, it is the policy of the General Assembly and this State that local government action will displace or limit economic competition by owners and users of property through the planning and zoning controls set forth in this article and elsewhere in the public local and public general laws.

      (b)      (1)      To promote the health, safety, morals, or general welfare of the community, a local legislative body may regulate and restrict, for trade, industry, residences, and other purposes:

                  (i)      The height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures;

                  (ii)      The percentage of a lot that may be occupied;

                  (iii)      Off-street parking;

                  (iv)      The size of yards, courts, and other open spaces;

                  (v)      The density of population; and

                  (vi)      The location and use of buildings, signs, structures and land.

            (2)      (i)      If a local legislative body regulates off-street parking, the local legislative body shall require space for the parking of bicycles in a manner that the local legislative body considers appropriate.

                  (ii)      A local legislative body may allow a reduction in the number of required automobile parking spaces based on the availability of space for parking bicycles.

      (c)      (1)      On the zoning or rezoning of any land under this article, a local legislative body may impose any additional restrictions, conditions, or limitations that the local legislative body considers appropriate to preserve, improve, or protect the general character and design of:

                  (i)      The lands and improvements being zoned or rezoned; or

                  (ii)      The surrounding or adjacent lands and improvements.

            (2)      A municipal corporation may include in an annexation agreement limitations on the uses of land and densities of development otherwise allowed in the zoning district where the land is located.

            (3)      On the zoning or rezoning of any land, a local legislative body may retain or reserve the power to approve or disapprove the design of buildings, construction, landscaping, or other improvements, alterations, and changes made or to be made on the land being zoned or rezoned to assure conformity with the intent and purpose of this article and of the local jurisdiction's zoning ordinance.

            (4)      The powers provided in this subsection shall apply only if the local legislative body adopts an ordinance which shall include enforcement procedures and requirements for adequate notice of public hearings and conditions sought to be imposed.

      (d)      The powers granted to a local jurisdiction under this subsection do not:

            (1)      Grant the local jurisdiction powers in any substantive area not otherwise granted to the local jurisdiction by any other public general or public local law;

            (2)      Restrict the local jurisdiction from exercising any power granted to the local jurisdiction by any other public general or public local law or otherwise;

            (3)      Authorize the local jurisdiction or its officers to engage in any activity which is beyond their power under any other public general law, public local law, or otherwise; or

            (4)      Preempt or supersede the regulatory authority of any State department or agency under any public general law.