PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

"To project a positive image of the City by improving the living standards in our communities; increase the economic development potentials through aggressive marketing; and assisting our existing businesses in expansion."

Phyllis Grover, Director of Planning & Community Development

Phyllis Grover has worked for the City of Aberdeen for twenty-four years as Secretary at the Aberdeen Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, Secretary for the Department of Public Works, Clerk of Zoning and Permits and Acting Director of Planning and Community Development. She is working on her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southern Columbia University. She recently graduated from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance with the Institute for Governmental Service and Research. She is a member of the American Planning Association and a member of the Maryland Municipal League’s Code Enforcement and Zoning Officials Association.

Phyllis Grover: pgrover@aberdeen-md.org

Senior Planner: Gil Jones gjones@aberdeen-md.org

Code Enforcement Officer: Darnell Brown dbrown@aberdeen-md.org

Grant Coordinator:  Kate Autry kautry@aberdeen-md.org

The Department of Planning and Community Development works cooperatively to provide planning and regulatory compliance and economic development within the City of Aberdeen.

  • Provide opportunities for public participation in the planning process for new development through Planning Commission and Board of Appeals meetings
  • Maintain the City Comprehensive Plan with 6 year updates
  • Encourage best management practices guidance in environmental, recreational, residential and business development projects
  • Provide planning technical assistance to encourage adherence to smart growth policies and practices
  • Administer Community Development Block Grant and Revolving loan funds to create economic opportunity
  • Provide assistance to new and relocating businesses
  • Maintain and track Census statistics of the City
  • Administer and maintain the City’s Building, Zoning and development Codes
  • Provide technical assistance to applicants in the permit application process
  • Conduct site plan and subdivision reviews to assure compliance with planning and zoning regulatory requirements
  • Ensure compliance with protective regulations in the Floodplains and Forest Conservation habitats and other environmentally sensitive areas
  • Administer the building permit and plan review process and applicable fees
  • Conduct field inspections to ensure compliance with building and property maintenance codes for the safety and health of the public

  • Issue municipal citations for code violations when necessary

PRELIMINARY SITE AND SUBDIVISION REVIEW PROCESS

The City of Aberdeen requires that certain uses shall be subject to review by the Aberdeen Planning Commission and the City Council.

The following uses shall be subject to review and may be added to at the discretion of the Director of Planning and Community Development:

  • All new development in the Rt. 40 Overlay District and I-95 Overlay District.
  • Multi-family dwellings containing more than five (5) units or forming a part of a multi-family development of two or more buildings.
  • Townhouse development.
  • Churches, synagogues, temples, and affiliated houses of worship including associated nursery schools
  • Hotels, Hotels (full-service) and Motels
  • New Commercial and industrial uses located in the B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, M-2 and IBD zoning districts.
  • Redevelopment of commercial and industrial uses exceeding 2,500 sq. ft. in area.
  • New single and two-family developments (exception: lots of existing record)

Explanation of Process:

  1. The process begins with a technical review conducted with the developer, engineer, Department of Planning and Community Development and a representative from the Department of Public Works in conjunction with a checklist of the requirements for plan submittal.
  2. Thirty (30) days prior to the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting, sixteen (16) copies of the preliminary site or subdivision plan must be submitted to the Director of Planning and Community Development. The required Planning Commission review fee must be paid at the time of submission of plans. Please refer to Aberdeen City Code, Chapter A150 – Fees for the current payment amount.
  3. Prior to the Planning Commission meeting, the Departments of Planning and Public Works will informally meet to discuss the plan(s) and make recommendations and/or changes which will be presented at the Planning Commission meeting. Any changes to the plan(s) will be corrected prior to presentation at the City Council meeting.
  4. A notice of the Planning Commission agenda will be published in a newspaper with local circulation at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.
  5. The Planning Commission shall review, comment and approve a recommendation to the City Council for all preliminary site plans and preliminary and final subdivision plats.
  6. If the Planning Commission denies approval of a preliminary site plan, preliminary and final subdivision plat, the developer and or their agent must re-evaluate his plan and make any corrections before resubmission.
  7. If the Planning Commission approves the plan(s) contingent upon certain requirements being met, the plan(s) shall be amended in accordance with the Planning Commission’s requirements before being submitted to the City Council with a recommendation for approval.
  8. The plan(s) will be presented to the City Council for review and approval.

  9. The approval of a preliminary site plan or preliminary subdivision plat will be valid for one year.

CITY OF ABERDEEN PERMIT PROCESS

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL BUILDING

The City requires that property owners, contractors, and developers obtain building permits to ensure compliance with all zoning, building, plumbing, electrical, and accessibility codes, as well as any other local, State, and/or Federal laws.

Building permits are required for such things as new construction, additions, fences, sheds, driveways, and change of use for an existing building.

Demolition permits are required if a structure is being removed.

Getting Started

The process begins with submission of a building permit application to the permit office at Aberdeen City Hall, 60 North Parke Street, 2nd floor, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. An application can be picked up at the permit office, faxed or mailed to you, or obtained from this website at Forms & Applications.

The permit application must also be submitted with a plot plan, location survey, or approved site plan.

For new construction, additions, and similar projects, the applicant will need to submit three (3) sets of construction drawings. Commercial and industrial improvements will require an architectural and/or engineering seal on all three sets of construction drawings. One set of the drawings must have an original seal and signature.

Fees

All fees must be paid prior to issuance of the building permit. A schedule of fees is available at City Hall. The Harford County Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits (DILP) performs all reviews of building plans, and all building, plumbing, and electrical inspections. Building inspection and review fees for Harford County are collected by the City of Aberdeen and forwarded to the County. Any electrical and/or plumbing permits may be obtained from the DILP offices at 220 South Main Street in Bel Air. Harford County fees must be paid by check or money order.

Zoning Review

The Aberdeen Department of Planning and Community Development will review the building permit application and plot plan/site plan for compliance with the Aberdeen Zoning code. If a problem is noted, a permit will not be issued until the matter is resolved.

Variances

A request for a variance from the Board of Appeals can be applied for if there is a problem due to the setback requirements, use, and/or unique circumstance. See the Aberdeen Permit Office for the required submission forms.

Overlay District Requirements

If a project falls within a designated Overlay District, additional reviews will be required.

Sediment and Erosion Control Review

Depending on the project, a sediment and erosion control package may need to be completed. This assures proper placement and observance of sediment control measures. The package is available from the permit office and is reviewed by the City Engineer for compliance. Storm water management measures may also need to be implemented. The City Engineer’s office can provide details.

Plans Review

If necessary, the construction plans will be forwarded to Harford County for review. In addition, depending on the nature of the project, the Harford County Health Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office may also need to conduct their own review.

When all agencies have completed the required reviews and all fees have been paid, the permit will be released, along with a copy of the approved plans.

Inspections

All inspections for building, plumbing, and electrical items are conducted by the Harford County DILP. The Aberdeen City Inspector conducts inspections of sediment control measures and other public infrastructure items (i.e. water meters, sanitary cleanout, curb and gutter, etc.).

Use and Occupancy

A Certificate of Use and Occupancy must be obtained from the Department of Planning and Community Development before a structure can be legally occupied. Before this Certificate can be issued, all final building, plumbing, and electrical inspections must be conducted by DILP, as well as any inspections conducted by the City Inspector for Aberdeen. Depending on the project, the Harford County Health Department and State Fire Marshal’s office may also need to conduct inspections.

Tenant Occupancy Permits

When a new business wishes to locate in Aberdeen, or an existing business site changes its use, a tenant occupancy permit is required. A floor plan is required with the application. If any structural renovations are being suggested, a floor plan must be prepared by a registered architect.

Signs

In addition to building permits, sign permits are required when a new sign is erected or an existing sign is changed. The building permit form is also used for a sign permit. When applying for a sign permit, the application will need to include submission of drawings showing the copy, design, dimensions, and height of the sign itself, and a location survey or site plan indicating the location of the sign.

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS

The City requires that property owners, contractors, and developers obtain building permits to ensure compliance with all zoning, building, plumbing, electrical, and accessibility codes, as well as any other local, State, and/or Federal laws.

Building permits are required for such things as new construction, additions, garages, carports, porches, decks, patios, fences, sheds, driveways, and change of use for an existing building.

Demolition permits are required if a structure is being removed.

Getting Started

The process begins with submission of a building permit application to the permit office at Aberdeen City Hall, 60 North Parke Street, 2nd floor, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. An application can be picked up at the permit office, faxed or mailed to you, or obtained from this website at Forms & Applications.

The permit application must also be submitted with a plot plan, location survey, or approved site plan.

For new construction, decks, additions, and similar projects, the applicant will need to submit three (3) sets of construction drawings.

Exception: If the construction is a deck of less than 600 square feet, and is to be done by a contractor with an active Maryland Home Improvement Contractor’s (MHIC) license, drawings are not required.

Fees

All fees must be paid prior to issuance of the building permit. A schedule of fees is available at City Hall. The Harford County Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits (DILP) performs all reviews of building plans, and all building, plumbing, and electrical inspections.

Building inspection and review fees for Harford County are collected by the City of Aberdeen and forwarded to the County. Any electrical and/or plumbing permits may be obtained from the DILP offices at 220 South Main Street in Bel Air. Harford County fees must be paid by check or money order.

Zoning Review

The Aberdeen Department of Planning and Community Development will review the building permit application and plot plan/site plan for compliance with the Aberdeen Zoning code. If a problem is noted, a permit will not be issued until the matter is resolved.

Variances

A request for a variance from the Board of Appeals can be applied for if there is a problem due to the setback requirements, use, and/or other unique circumstance. Please see the Aberdeen Permit Office for the required forms for submission.

Sediment and Erosion Control Review

Depending on the project, a sediment and erosion control package may need to be completed. This assures proper placement and observance of sediment control measures. The package is available from the permit office and is reviewed by the City Engineer for compliance. Storm water management measures may also need to be implemented. The City Engineer’s office can provide details.

Plans Review

If necessary, the construction plans will be forwarded to Harford County for review. When all agencies have completed the required reviews and all fees have been paid, the permit will be released, along with a copy of the approved plans.

Inspections

All inspections for building, plumbing, and electrical items are conducted by the Harford County DILP. The Aberdeen City Inspector conducts inspections of sediment control measures and other public infrastructure items (i.e. water meters, sanitary cleanout, curb and gutter, etc.).

Use and Occupancy

A Certificate of Use and Occupancy must be obtained from the Department of Planning and Community Development before a structure can be legally occupied or used. Before this Certificate can be issued, all final building, plumbing, and electrical inspections must be conducted by DILP, as well as any inspections conducted by the City Inspector for Aberdeen.

PLEASE NOTE: due to a change in Maryland law, the builder of any new home for sale in Maryland must register with the State Attorney General’s office and obtain a registration number. If the home is for personal use, the builder will be required to fill out an affidavit indicating such use. Violators will be turned over to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office for punitive action(s) per Maryland law.