LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Planning Commission presented its annual report to the County Commissioners on March 4, summarizing key actions from 2024.
During the discussion, Commissioner Thomasina Coates raised concerns about zoning restrictions on tiny homes as a potential solution for affordable housing.
“Tiny home zoning—is that an issue? What do you see as the impediments?” Coates asked.
Vice Chairman William Murray acknowledged that the county’s existing zoning ordinance poses challenges to alternative housing options.
“Right now, our zoning ordinance defines a home as 1,200 square feet or more,” Murray said. “The only flexible zoning we have is for campgrounds. We need to open up to more flexible housing options, like well-designed mobile homes. Not that everybody likes mobile homes, but if they’re designed properly and laid out properly, they can provide very good living for many people.”
Murray also pointed to regulatory barriers from agencies such as the health department, which require large septic reserve areas even for small homes.
“You want to build a 350-square-foot house? You still need a 10,000-square-foot septic reserve area,” he said. “It’s going to take a lot of give-and-take.” He added that additional staff and resources may be necessary to address the issue.
Murray further stressed the need for broad changes.
“We definitely need a complete rewrite of our zoning ordinance,” he said. “We need to focus on the missing middle—smaller homes, cottage homes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).”
Commissioner Amanda Stewart echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive housing strategy.
“We are missing a huge group of people—that middle,” Stewart said. “I believe we need to diversify.”
Secretary Dawud Abdur-Rahman cited a 2018 study that found Charles County is short at least 1,500 affordable housing units.
“We have to manage expectations,” Abdur-Rahman said. “If we continue doing business as usual, we won’t meet the demand. Closing this gap will require different thinking, such as leveraging low-income tax credits and available census tract land.”
Coates emphasized the urgency of addressing the housing crisis.
“We’re in some really tough times, and they’re only going to worsen,” she said. “We need to think outside the box.”
See the PDF presentation that links to all rules and regulations here.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
