Economic and Community Development

The Department of Economic and Community Development maintains and oversees the built environment within the City of Laurel. The department is responsible for zoning compliance, subdivision and development review, historic preservation review, economic development, affordable housing, and implementation of the City's Master Plan. These activities are intended to improve the life quality in the City. Department staff strive to provide these services in a timely and efficient manner while promoting high-quality development which is compliant with State of Maryland regulations and statutes. The services provided are:

• Planning and Zoning page
• Historic District Commission page
• Affordable Housing Program page
• Master Plan 2016 (PDF)
• Land Development Code and City Landscape Manual page

All Commission and Board hearings are on a hybrid system, some in-person, some held virtually please check with staff to confirm.

The Department derives its standards and procedures from the Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code and modified by the Code of the City of Laurel, Maryland, the National Fire Protection Association Code, the Building Officials Code Administration, and others. 

Apply Online

It is strongly encouraged if you have a new project that would require a zoning application to contact staff and schedule a pre-application meeting which can be done in person or virtually through Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Please email ecd@laurel.md.us 

View the Online Submittal (PDF).

View the Pre-Application Meeting (PDF).