Maryland Department of Planning Announces New Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy Task Force

Secretary Rebecca Flora Chairs Task Force to Study Policy and Placement of Accessory Dwelling Units in Maryland

(October 18, 2023) BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Department of Planning today announced the new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Policy Task Force. The task force will study the placement of accessory dwelling units on land zoned for single-family residential use and survey and document a representative sampling of the variety of ordinances, laws, codes, and policies regarding accessory dwelling units at the state and local level.

“The ADU Task Force reflects a diverse cross-section of talented professionals that together will provide much needed perspective and expertise in the consideration of ADUs as one approach for addressing Maryland’s housing shortage and its impact on local economies.” said Maryland Department of Planning Secretary and Task Force Chair Rebecca Flora, AICP. “We plan to examine both the benefits and challenges of ADUs in communities to advise the General Assembly and also assemble resources that will be useful to local governments, homeowners, and prospective tenants.” 

An accessory dwelling unit is a secondary residential unit on a single family home lot, such as a basement or garage apartment or a free-standing structure.

A list of the accessory dwelling unit task force members is available on the Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy Task Force webpage. The Task Force held its inaugural meeting on September 19 in Crownsville. The agenda, presentation slides, and a recording of the entire meeting are available to those interested in the work of the task force. Members of the public are encouraged to access information on the web page about upcoming meetings, including how to join in-person or virtually, and other task force details. The task force is currently seeking public comment to inform its deliberations on this comment form. 

SB 382, which established the task force during the 2023 legislative session, requires the group to report its findings and recommendations to the governor and General Assembly by June 1, 2024. To learn more about the task force, please contact Joe Griffiths, Local Assistance and Training Manager for the Maryland Department of Planning, at joseph.griffiths@maryland.gov.

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