Bill > HB548

This bill, known as the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, aims to streamline and stabilize the housing development permitting process by establishing clearer rules for local authorities and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (referred to as the "Commission"). Specifically, it mandates that when a local regulatory authority or the Commission reviews an application for a housing development project, they must base their decision solely on the laws and regulations that were in effect at the time the application was deemed "substantially complete" – meaning it met most, but not all, requirements, with only minor issues remaining. Once a housing development project receives all necessary approvals, the developer gains "vested rights," meaning they have a guaranteed right to proceed with that approved use and development for at least five years, or a longer period if set by the local authority or Commission. This provision is intended to protect developers from sudden changes in regulations after they have invested time and resources into obtaining approvals. The bill also clarifies that for projects with phased development plans, each phase is treated as a separate project for the purpose of this rule, and it includes provisions regarding the timing of development excise taxes and development impact fees, which are local taxes or fees imposed on new construction to fund public works, ensuring they are not collected until after construction is complete and occupancy permits are met.

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https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0548?ys=2026RS