Charles County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVIII
Site Design
§ 297-297 Purpose.
The purpose of this article is to establish minimum design and improvement standards that will be required for approval of a site plan.
§ 297-298 General site design standards.
[5-2-2005 by Bill No. 2005-08; 10-22-2008 by Bill No. 2008-13; 11-28-2017 by Bill No. 2017-07; 9-28-2021 by Bill No. 2021-08; 4-8-2025 by Bill No. 2025-02]
A.
The applicant shall submit a site analysis of the characteristics of the development site, such as site context, geology and soil, topography, climate, natural features, visual features, past and present use of the site, historic features, existing vegetation, structures and road networks.
B.
The Charles County Site Design and Architectural single-family dwelling and commercial and industrial guidelines and standards shall guide:
(1)
The approval of preliminary plans and architectural elevations for all single-family subdivisions in the RL, RM, RH, RO, RR, PRD, MX. PUD, WPC, TOD, PEP, PMH, CER, CRR, CRM, HVC, HVG, and HVR Zones that are greater than 10 lots and within sewer service areas S-1, S-3, S-5.
(2)
The approval of site plans and buildings for all commercial construction in the CV, CN, CC, CB, BP, IG, IH, CER, CRR, CRM, HVC, HVG, and HVE Zones. All new construction, renovation and expansion projects shall comply with all applicable sections of the commercial and industrial guidelines and standards. Projects that do not add more than 2,000 square feet of gross floor area or alter more than 25% of the building facade or site area are exempt. The guidelines and standards shall conform to appropriate planning principles and to the purposes stated for the specific zone.
C.
Notwithstanding the above, if an alternative design and development code has been submitted and approved in the PRD, PEP, MX, PUD, WPC, PMH, TOD, BP, or the RO Zone, the alternative design and development code shall govern site design. The standards set forth in the alternative design and development code may not strictly conform to and may vary from the standards set forth in the Zoning Ordinance. Where the standards set forth in the alternative design and development code vary from the standards in the Zoning Ordinance, the alternative design and development code shall apply. Where the alternative design and development code is silent, the Zoning Ordinance shall apply.
§ 297-299 Landscaping and tree planting standards.
A.
All developments shall conform to the requirements of Articles XXI and XXII and Appendix E[1] of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix E is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
Existing trees shall be preserved wherever possible. The protection of trees six inches or more in diameter (measured diameter at breast height) shall be given high priority in determining the location of open space, structures, underground utilities, walks and paved areas. Areas in which trees are preserved shall remain at original grade level and shall remain undisturbed wherever possible.
C.
Where extensive natural tree cover and vegetation does not exist, landscaping shall be provided to enhance the appearance of the development, aid in erosion control, provide protection from wind and sun, screen streets and parking areas and enhance the privacy of dwelling units.
§ 297-300 Lot coverage.
Impervious surfaces (surfaces that do not absorb rain, including all buildings, roads, sidewalks, patios, parking areas and any other areas paved in concrete or asphalt) shall not occupy more than the established impervious surface ratio (ISR) contained in the Schedule of Zone Regulations (Articles VI through VIII). Efforts to minimize impervious surfaces shall be encouraged.
§ 297-301 Road and sidewalk requirements in subdivided and unsubdivided developments.
[Amended 12-7-1993 by Ord. No. 93-100; 11-21-1994 by Ord. No. 94-100; 4-13-2010 by Bill No. 2010-02; 4-13-2010 by Bill No. 2010-05]
A.
Within unsubdivided developments, all private roads and accessways shall be designed and constructed to facilitate the safe and convenient movement of motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
B.
Whenever a road in an unsubdivided development connects two or more subcollector, collector or arterial streets in such a manner that any substantial volume of through traffic is likely to make use of this road, such road shall be constructed in accordance with the standards applicable to subdivision streets and shall be dedicated. In other cases, when roads in unsubdivided developments within the County are constructed in accordance with the specifications for subdivision streets, the County may accept an offer of dedication of such streets.
C.
In all unsubdivided residential development, sidewalks shall be provided linking dwelling units with other dwelling units, the public street and on-site activity centers, such as parking areas, laundry facilities and recreational areas and facilities.
D.
In all commercial and industrial site plans and subdivisions, safe and convenient pedestrian circulation shall be provided within and between sites, including:
(1)
Sidewalks and marked pedestrianways linking the parking areas, building entrances, and sidewalks along adjacent roads; and
(2)
Driveway and pedestrian connections between adjacent commercial sites, whenever feasible.
E.
An application for site plan approval shall install sidewalks and related improvements along public or private roads, or reserve easements for sidewalks, as specified below.
(1)
For any site within an activity center or core mixed use zone, sidewalks, street trees and streetlights shall be installed along the side of a public or private road abutting the development, or along both sides of a public or private road within the development, if the development meets the thresholds for streetscape improvements established by § 297-96M for the activity center zones. For expansion of existing uses, these improvements shall be installed if required by the Zoning Officer in the core mixed use zones.
(2)
For commercial, industrial or mixed use development in other zones, sidewalks and street trees shall be installed along the side of public or private roads abutting the development unless the Zoning Officer determines that these improvements are not desirable for pedestrian safety and convenience, and are inconsistent with County plans for the area. A landscape strip shall be provided between the sidewalks and the roads, for pedestrian comfort and security. Where a service road is required, the sidewalks may be provided along the service roads.
(3)
In other zones, whenever the Zoning Officer finds that pedestrian access is necessary from an unsubdivided development to schools, parks, playgrounds or other roads or facilities, and that such access is not conveniently provided by sidewalks adjacent to the roads, the applicant may be required to reserve an unobstructed easement of at least 10 feet to provide such access.
(4)
Sidewalks along public streets shall meet the standards of the Road Ordinance[1] and adopted design guidelines.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 276, Streets, Roads and Sidewalks.
(5)
In the Hughesville Village Zone, in addition to sidewalks and street trees, streetlights shall be installed as required by § 297-99.
[Added 11-28-2017 by Bill No. 2017-07]
F.
The sidewalks and walkways required by this section shall be:
(1)
Constructed according to the specifications set forth in Appendix C, except that the Zoning Administrator may permit the installation of walkways constructed with other suitable materials when it concludes that:
(a)
Such walkways would serve the development as adequately as concrete sidewalks; and
(b)
Such walkways could be more environmentally desirable or more in keeping with the overall design of the development.
(2)
At least four feet wide. Wider sidewalks or walkways may be required based upon design guidelines adopted by the County Commissioners for the particular zone or land use.
G.
The proposed right-of-way of public roads abutting or within the site shall be shown on site plans. Required setbacks shall be measured from the proposed right-of-way. Landscaping, parking and other required improvements shall be located outside of the proposed right-of-way.
§ 297-302 Access standards for arterial roads.
A.
Site access and circulation along all arterial roads shall conform to the following general standards:
(1)
All proposed development or redevelopment projects in the urban core, designated by the Comprehensive Plan, shall be designed to minimize left turn movements or conflicts on the site and in the street.
(2)
Driveways shall be designed to achieve clear sight lines.
(3)
Where reasonable access is available, the vehicular access to the site should be arranged to avoid traffic use of local residential streets situated in or bordered by residential zones.
(4)
Access driveways should be designed with sufficient capacity to avoid queuing of entering vehicles on any road or street.
(5)
One driveway connection from any site or lot to any street shall be preferable, except where separate entrances and exit driveways may be necessary to safeguard against hazards and to avoid congestion. Additional driveways should also be considered for large tracts and uses of extensive scope, if traffic flow on adjacent roads will be facilitated by the additional connections.
(6)
Each access driveway shall be located and designed so as to cause the least practical interference with the use of adjacent property and with the movement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(7)
Where a site or lot has frontage on two or more roads, the access to the site should generally be provided to the site from the lower classified road, unless there is less potential for traffic congestion and for hazards to traffic and pedestrian movement from the higher classified road.
(8)
Where necessary to safeguard against hazards to traffic and pedestrians or to avoid traffic congestion, provisions shall be made for turning lanes, traffic directional islands, service roads, driveways and controls within the road.
B.
Circulation driveways are encouraged to minimize excess curb cuts and driveways and to preserve existing capacity of arterial highways. Where topographic and other conditions offer no major impediments, provision should be made for circulation driveway connections to adjoining lots of similar existing or potential use to facilitate fire protection services and to enable the public to travel between two existing or potential uses without the need to travel upon a street.
C.
The design objectives for driveway spacing on arterial roads within the Highway Corridor (HC) Zone shall be as follows:
Desirable Separation of Adjacent Driveways | ||
|---|---|---|
Highway Speed (mph) | Minimum Spacing (feet) | |
25 | 105 | |
30 | 125 | |
35 | 150 | |
40 | 185 | |
45 | 230 | |
50 | 275 | |
D.
When a site is developed or redeveloped in the HC Zone in excess of the maximum standards of this chapter, driveways shall be eliminated or relocated when possible to achieve these objectives.
E.
Commercial and access driveway widths shall have the following dimensions:
(1)
A minimum of 17 feet for all one-way driveways. One-way driveways shall not exceed 20 feet.
(2)
A minimum of 25 feet for all two-way driveways. Two-way driveways shall not exceed 35 feet.
F.
Existing curb openings or driveway approaches that are no longer required due to new driveway approach construction on the same lot or due to the combined use of driveways/access points shall be removed, and new curb, gutter and sidewalk shall be installed to match the existing. Such work shall be completed along with the installation of the new driveway approaches.
G.
For any undeveloped parcel within the HC Zone, sufficient easement shall be preserved for the provision of a service drive, to be constructed at a future date, which would link adjacent developments and reduce the number of access points onto the corridor. The Planning Commission reserves the right to determine those parcels to be affected by such service road easement, and the location of the easement shall be indicated on a right-of-way map recorded in the County's land records.
§ 297-303 Utility ownership and easement rights.
In any case in which an applicant installs or causes the installation of water, sewer, electrical power, telephone or cable television facilities and intends that such facilities shall be owned, operated or maintained by a public utility or any entity other than the applicant, the applicant shall transfer to such utility or entity the necessary ownership or easement rights to enable the utility or entity to operate and maintain such facilities.
§ 297-304 Utilities to be consistent with internal and external development.
Whenever it can reasonably be anticipated that utility facilities constructed in one development will be extended to serve other adjacent or nearby developments, such utility facilities (e.g., water or sewer lines) shall be located and constructed so that extensions can be made conveniently and without undue burden or expense or unnecessary duplication of service.
§ 297-305 Lighting requirements.
A.
All entrances and exits in buildings used for nonresidential purposes and in two-family or multifamily residential developments containing more than four dwelling units shall be adequately lighted to ensure the safety of persons and the security of the buildings.
B.
Excessive illumination. Lighting within any lot that unnecessarily illuminates any other lot and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of such other lot is prohibited. Lighting unnecessarily illuminates another lot if it exceeds the standard set forth in § 297-306.
§ 297-306 Lighting standards.
[Amended 10-29-2024 by Bill No. 2024-13]
A.
Site lighting shall be of low intensity from a concealed source, shall be of a clear white light which does not distort colors and shall not spill over into adjoining properties, buffers, roadways or in any way interfere with the vision of oncoming motorists. This section does not apply to public streetlighting.
B.
The following standards are required of all exterior lighting except the outdoor recreational uses specifically exempted below. The maximum light post height permitted is dependent on the amount of cutoff provided. Exterior lighting shall meet one of the following standards:
(1)
Luminaire with no cutoff.
(a)
When light source or luminaire has no cutoff:
Standard | Maximum Permitted Height of Luminaire (feet) | |
|---|---|---|
Residential parking lots | 12 | |
Nonresidential parking lots | 20 |
(b)
An illustration of this type of luminaire is shown on Figure XVIII-1 below.
(2)
Luminaire with total cutoff.
(a)
When a luminaire has total cutoff of light at an angle less than 90° and is located so that the bare light bulb, lamp or light source is completely shielded from the direct view of an observer five feet above the ground at the point where the cutoff angle intersects the ground, then the maximum permitted illumination and the maximum permitted height of the luminaire shall be:
Standard | Maximum Permitted Height of Post (feet) | |
|---|---|---|
Residential parking areas | 20 | |
Nonresidential parking areas | 30 |
(b)
An illustration of this type of luminaire is provided on Figure XVIII-1.
(3)
Outdoor recreational uses. Because of their unique requirements for nighttime visibility and their limited hours of operation, ball diamonds, playing fields and tennis courts shall meet the following standards:
(a)
Lighting of outdoor recreational uses shall not exceed a maximum post height of 40 feet.
(b)
Lighting of outdoor recreational uses may exceed a total cutoff angle of 90°, provided that the luminaire is shielded in either its orientation or by a landscaped buffer yard to prevent light and glare spillover to adjacent residential property. The maximum permitted illumination at the interior buffer yard line shall not exceed two footcandles.
Figure XVIII-1 Luminaire Luminaire With No Cutoff  |
Luminaire With Less Than 90° Cutoff  |
C.
Additional regulations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary:
(1)
No flickering or flashing lights shall be permitted.
(2)
Light sources or luminaires shall not be located within buffer yard areas except on pedestrian walkways.
D.
Exterior lighting plan. At the time any exterior light is installed or substantially modified and whenever a zoning permit is sought, an exterior lighting plan shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer in order to determine whether the requirements of this section have been met and that adjoining property will not be adversely impacted by the proposed lighting.
E.
Lighting in the WC and AUC Zones. Lighting located in the Waldorf Central (WC) and Action Urban Center (AUC) Zones shall be required to comply with the standards in § 297-97I of the Zoning Ordinance and in Section 6.0 of the Downtown Waldorf Design Guidelines, in addition to the requirements in § 297-306. Where the requirements in § 297-97I and/or the Downtown Waldorf Design Guidelines conflict with those in § 297-306, the requirements in § 297-97I of the Zoning Ordinance and the Downtown Waldorf Design Guidelines shall apply.
§ 297-307 Sites for and screening of dumpsters.
A.
Every new development constructed that is or will be required to provide one or more dumpsters for solid waste collection shall provide sites for such dumpsters that are located so as to facilitate collection and minimize any negative impact on persons occupying the development site, neighboring properties or public rights-of-way.
B.
All such dumpsters shall be screened to prevent them from being visible to:
(1)
Persons in any dwelling unit on residential property other than that where the dumpster is located.
(2)
Occupants, customers or employees in any building on nonresidential property other than that where the dumpster is located, unless such other property is located in an IG or IH Zone.
(3)
Persons traveling on any public street, sidewalk or other public way.
§ 297-308 Public transit accommodations.
[Added 3-14-2005 by Bill No. 2005-07]
A.
This section applies to all commercial developments deemed to be a viable location for a future transit stop for public transportation which meet the following:
(1)
Those commercial developments for which either a major site plan or a preliminary plan of subdivision application is required and contain or propose to contain greater than 40,000 square feet of building space or propose to contain three or more retail establishments;
(2)
The commercial development constitutes a change in use in building space greater than 40,000 square feet or part of a grouping of three or more retail establishments; or
(3)
The development is located in the CV Zone and constitutes either a change in use or a major site plan for a structure greater than 5,000 square feet.
B.
All applicable developments shall designate an area within the development which will, upon request of the County, become a transit stop for a bus and/or van.