![[Government Office Building, 125 North Division St., Salisbury, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/37mun/salisbury/images/1198-1-06057.jpg)
Government Office Building, 125 North Division St., Salisbury, Maryland, August 2012. Photo by David R. Herron.
Matters relating to planning and zoning are governed by both State and County laws. The Maryland Forest Conservation Act, for example, requires all county governments to adopt local forest conservation programs (Chapter 255, Acts of 1991; Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-1601 through 5-1613).
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the five members of the Advisory Board serve five-year terms (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1).
AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Committee consists of seven members who serve four-year terms. Appointed to a one-year term, a municipal representative serves as an alternate member. The County Extension Agent serves ex officio (County Code, Art. II, secs. 186-5, 186-6).
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
The Commission consists of nine members. Seven are appointed to five-year terms: three by the County Executive with County Council consent, three by the Salisbury Mayor with City Council consent, and the chair jointly by both the County and the City. Two serve ex officio (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304; County Code, secs. 62-1 through 62-7, 225-1 through 225-159).
BOARD OF [ZONING] APPEALS
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Board consists of five members and two alternate members who serve three-year terms (County Code, secs. 7-1 through 7-6).
The Agricultural Reconciliation Committee arbitrates and mediates disputes involving agricultural operations conducted on agricultural lands. The Committee issues opinions on whether such operations conform with generally accepted agricultural management practices.
The Historic District Commission reviews all construction or demolition activity affecting the external appearance of buildings within approved Historic Districts. Currently, only one Historic District (Quantico) has been established (Code Land Use Article, secs. 8-101 through 8-501).
In 1954, the Planning and Zoning Commission was created.
The Board of Appeals hears and decided appeals from orders relating to zoning, and appeals from executive, administrative and adjudicatory orders.
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION DIVISION
Upon review and approval of site and construction plans, the Building Construction Division issues permits for building construction, which include, but are not limited to, residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional structures, as well as remodeling, additions, alterations, mobile homes, accessory buildings, and swimming pools.
FIRE PROTECTION DIVISION
Primarily through fire code enforcement and public fire education, the Division protects the people and property in Wicomico County from the dangers of destructive fire. The Division inspects buildings and reviews all building construction plans (except for one- and two-family dwellings) to check compliance with County and municipal fire codes.
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Formerly, under the Department of Public Works, the Building Construction Division transferred to the Department of Planning, Zoning, and Community Development in 2013.
The Fire Protection Division formerly was part of the Department of Public Works. The Division transferred in 2013 to the Department of Planning, Zoning, and Community Development.
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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us