Development Review

Services We Provide

Development Review is a general term that covers the Town's various review procedures for proposed developments. The Planning Department coordinates the review of development applications to determine compliance with the comprehensive plan, the La Plata Zoning Ordinance and other Town codes and regulations. Planning staff will act as project managers and work with other Town departments and external agencies during the development review process to ensure compliance with all relevant codes. For most development projects, the project manager guides the project through the review and approval process and provides recommendations to the approving authority.

La Plata has a strong commitment to service and the Planning Department will provide comprehensive assistance throughout the review process and is available to answer any questions you may have.

The Development Review Process - Find out about the stages of the development review process in the Town of La Plata and what it takes to get to construction.

Technical Review Team (TRT)

The Town has established a Technical Review Team (TRT) that will perform a comprehensive review of all proposed development projects within the Town to evaluate how they will impact existing and planned public infrastructure and advise the developer of any concerns that are identified in the review process. The TRT consists of staff from Planning, Operations, and Public Works.

All development proposals and plans must be reviewed by the TRT. Comments will be forwarded to the applicant within two weeks of the TRT meeting. All comments from the TRT and from State and Federal agencies must be substantially addressed by the applicant prior to the proposal/plan being scheduled on a Planning Commission agenda.

Deed Research

The Maryland Judiciary, the 24 elected Court Clerks of Maryland and the Maryland State Archives have joined in partnership to provide up-to-date access to all verified land record instruments in Maryland. This service is currently being provided at no charge to individuals who apply for a user name and password.

MDLANDREC: Home Page

Plat Research

PLATS.NET is a system developed by the Maryland State Archives, the Administrative Office of the Courts and Maryland Circuit Court Clerks to preserve and make accessible all plats filed with the Land Office and the Circuit Courts of Maryland.

Recordation and Retrieval of Plats: A Digital Image System for the Courts - Plats.Net (maryland.gov)

Outside Review Agency Contact Information

Depending on the nature of a development you may be required to obtain permits or approvals from other State and Charles County agencies. A list of common requirements is provided below. Since the Town does not enforce or administer these requirements we cannot speak to the details of each process.

If you have a development project within the Town please contact the following agencies for additional information.

Business License or Liquor Board

For projects that require a business license, or liquor board approval please contact Charles County Government:
Phone Number: 301-645-0550
Address: 200 Baltimore Street
P.O. Box 2150
La Plata, MD 20646
Charles County Government website

  • Business Licenses:
    Phone: 301-932-3201
    Business license page
  • Liquor Board:
    Phone: 301-645-0555
    Liquor Board page

County Roads

For projects located on a County Road (i.e. Washington Avenue, Rosewick Road) please contact the Charles County Planning Department as an access permit, Stormwater review, or other permits may be required.

Planning and Growth Management:

  • Codes, Permits and Inspection Services (CPIS)
    Phone: 301-645-0692
    CPIS page
  • Planning
    Phone: 301-645-0540
    Planning page

Health Department

Any project with a well or septic tank in the Town, all subdivision plats, child care centers and restaurants are subject to review and approval by the Charles County Health Department:
Phone Number: 301-609-6900
Address: 4545 Crain Highway
P.O. Box 1050
White Plains, MD 20695
Charles County Health Department website

Sediment & Erosion

Any project requiring sediment and erosion control must be approved by the Charles County Soil Conservation District:
Phone Number: 301-638-3028
Address: 4200 Gardiner Road
Waldorf, MD 20601
Charles County Soil Conservation District website

Maryland State Routes

Any project located on a Maryland state route is subject to review and approval by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA):
Phone Number: 410-841-1044
Address: District 5
138 Defense Highway
Annapolis, MD 21401
MD SHA website

Maryland Department of the Environment

Any Inspections for sediment and erosion controls, gas tank removal, forest harvest permits, and other state environment protections will be conducted by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE):
Phone Number: 410-537-3000
Address: 1800 Washington Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21230
MDE website