A range of licenses, including liquor licenses and renewals, roadside stand licenses, and vending licenses are issued by the Department. In October 2014, the Department also became responsible for administering and enforcing the County's bingo laws.
Four divisions carry out the Department's work: Engineering and Building, Geographic Information Services, Technical Services, and Zoning.
In Worcester County, the Board's three members are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent to four-year terms (Code 1957, Art. 2B, sec. 15-101).
LOCAL [VIDEO LOTTERY] DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
A local development council is established in each geographic area where a video lottery [slots gambling] facility is located (Chapter 5, Acts of 2007; Chapter 4, Acts of 2007 Special Session; Chapter 479, Acts of 2009; Code State Government Article, sec. 9-1A-31). In Worcester County, a video lottery facility, called the Casino at Ocean Downs, opened at Berlin on January 4, 2011.
The Local Development Council advises the County on the impact of the video lottery facility on the communitites in immediate proximity to the facility, and on the needs and priorities of those communities. The Council also makes recommendations to the County and the Town of Berlin regarding the multi-year plans for expenditure of revenue from the facility.
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Council consists of fifteen members (Code State Government Article, sec. 9-1A-31).
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission consists of seven members appointed to five-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304).
ZONING DIVISION
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Board of Zoning Appeals consists of three members and one alternate who serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406).
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
The Board of Zoning Appeals holds public hearings to hear requests for variances, conditional uses, and appeals relating to the County Code. The Board hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is any error in any zoning order, requirement, decision, or Determination. It also interprets district boundaries on official zoning maps. Upon appeal, in specific cases, the Board may authorize such variances as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty.
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance
Maryland Manual On-Line
Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us