Publications

The Salisbury / Wicomico County Department of Planning, Zoning, and Community Development collects and publishes a wide variety of information related to land use regulation and development trends.

This information is available to the public for the cost of reproduction. For more information, contact the Planning, Zoning and Community Development Department at 410-548-4860.

Wicomico County Comprehensive Plan
General guide to the future development of public and private areas of Wicomico County. Originally adopted by the Wicomico County Council in 1982. Plan revisions adopted in 1989 and 1990. - $25
Wicomico County Approved Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan

Wicomico County Zoning Code
Detailed description of county zoning districts, uses permitted, and development requirements and restrictions. Originally adopted by the Wicomico County in 1968 and has undergone numerous revisions. Current edition is from March 2003. - $20

Wicomico County Subdivision Regulations
Rules and Regulations governing the subdivision of land areas in Wicomico County, outside the corporate limits of the incorporated towns. Current edition is from April 25, 1994 - $5

Metro Core Comprehensive Plan
A general guide to the future development of the Salisbury area. Adopted by the Salisbury City Council in 1976. - $10 
Salisbury / Wicomico Area Long-Range Transportation Plan
2005 Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan
Northeast Metro Core Study
Study and recommendations for development of the northeast quadrant of the Salisbury metro area within the bypass loop. Adopted by Salisbury / Wicomico County Planning Commission September 15, 1988; adopted by Wicomico County Council March 7, 1989. - $5

Salisbury Zoning Code (City of Salisbury)
Detailed description of Salisbury zoning districts, uses permitted, development requirements and restrictions. The code is available online., City Codes, Title 17. Also available in the City Clerk's Office (not available in the Planning Department). - $120

Flood Plain Ordinance
  • Chapter 149 - Guidelines to minimize public and private property damage in areas prone to periodic flooding. Current edition is from May 20, 1988. - $5
Aerial Maps
Contact Frank McKenzie, technical services coordinator, to make arrangements to have maps made. - $10

1000 Scale Zoning Map (City of Salisbury)
Outlines city-zoning districts. Available in the copy room located in the basement of the Government Office Building. - $10

Councilmanic Maps
Adopted by Wicomico County Council in connection with the adoption of county voting districts. - $10

Agricultural Land Preservation In Wicomico County
Summary information and listings of established Agricultural Land Preservation Districts in Wicomico County. Includes maps of the districts and of districts on which development rights easements have been sold to the State of Maryland. Prepared March 15, 1995 for the Wicomico County Council. - $5

Wicomico County Critical Area Program and Ordinance
Detailed program for development in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas of Wicomico County. Prepared by Rogers, Golden and Halpern and Redman / Johnston & Associates. Adopted by the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission September 6, 1989 and the Wicomico County Council October 13, 1989. - $16

Wicomico County Critical Area Implementation Ordinance
Detailed development information for the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area of Wicomico County. Section 10 of Wicomico County Critical Area Program and Ordinance. Adopted on October 13, 1989 as Ordinance #1989-15 - emergency legislation - became Chapter 125 of the Wicomico County Code. - $5

Salisbury Critical Area Program and Ordinance
Detailed program for development in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas of the City of Salisbury. Prepared by Rogers, Golden and Halpern and Redman / Johnston & Associates. Adopted by the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission May 2, 1990 and the Salisbury City Council November 1, 1991. - $12

Salisbury Critical Area Implementation Ordinance
Detailed development information for the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area of the City of Salisbury, Section 10 of Salisbury Critical Area Program and Ordinance. Adopted on November 1, 1991 as Ordinance #1526 and became Chapter 149 (current Code reference 12.20) of the City of Salisbury Code. - $5

Critical Area Mitigation Manual
Provides a general understanding of the information and procedures necessary for providing mitigation of trees cleared in forests, developed woodlands and the 100 ft. buffer of the Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas of Wicomico County. - $5

Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Growth Allocation Manual
Provides general information on the Growth Allocation process in the Critical Areas of Wicomico County. Current edition - July 1990. - $5

Subdivider’s Guide in the Critical Areas
Provides information and checklists for preparation of concept, preliminary and final subdivision plats in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas of Wicomico County. - $5

Critical Area Buffer Management Manual
Provides information necessary for preparing a Buffer Management Plan providing mitigation for any natural vegetation cleared in the 100 ft. Buffer of theWicomico County Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas. - $5

Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Review Procedures and Checklist
Contains checklists and review procedures guidelines for single lots, building permits, certificates of compliance, site plans, subdivisions, general reforestation and afforestation guidelines and standard planting plans. Current edition is from February 1992. - $5

Critical Area - Applicant's Guide to 10% Rule
Instructions to assist applicants with compliance with the reduction of pollutant loads in storm water runoff from a site by 10 percent. Prepared by Kumble, Herson-Jones, and Schueler for the State Critical Area Commission. Current edition is from May 1993. - $5

Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Resource Protection
  • Chapter 125 of the Wicomico County Code. - $5
Forest Conservation
Chapter 126 - Legislative Bill #1994-9 - Adopted by the Wicomico County Council on February 14, 1994 to provide special regulatory protection for forest lands and timber resources of Wicomico County. Mandated by the State of Maryland. Effective February 14, 1994. Became Section 126 of the Wicomico County Code. - $5

Forest Conservation Act and Regulations (State)
Chapter 225 - Laws of Maryland - Forest Conservation Act - Includes conservation thresholds, afforestation and reforestation standards, requirements for forest stand delineations, and forest conservation plans. Issued February 1992. - $10

Landscaping / Screening Guidelines
Wicomico County - Guidelines for compliance with landscaping and screening requirements of the Wicomico County Zoning Code. Adopted by the Salisbury / Wicomico County Planning Commission as a policy measure April 5, 1994. Current edition - April 21, 1994. - $5

Billboard Information
Background data collected by the Planning Department Staff to evaluate existing billboards in the City of Salisbury. Current edition is from December 28, 1989. - $5

Multi-Family Housing Developments
Inventory of multi-family developments in the Salisbury metro area, including vacancy rates, number of units and description of each development. Current edition- April 15, 1992. - $5

Shopping Areas Inventory
Compilation of information regarding various shopping centers in Salisbury and Wicomico County. Includes listings of anchor stores, sizes, vacancies and current tenants. Current edition- May 1, 1995. - $5

Social & Economic Data by Zip Code
Includes social characteristics, labor force, income and poverty, and housing characteristics information from the 1990 Census. Prepared by the Rural Development Center of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. (8/5/93) - $5

Subdivision Activity - 1986-2009
Listing of final subdivision plats approved in the unincorporated portion of Wicomico County in the years 1986 through 2009. Includes tabulations of development trends and subdivision impacts. Current edition - February 2009. - $5

Summary of Major Growth Trends
Contains summary information relating to population characteristics and development trends for agricultural lands, subdivision activity, planned residential districts, multi-family developments, building permits and shopping areas. Current edition is from June 1992. - $5

Population & Development Trends
A compilation of development trends and preliminary census data for identification of major development factors in Wicomico County. Current edition is from January 1992. - $5

West Side Redevelopment Programs
Provides information on housing program efforts by the City of Salisbury, Shore Up!, Habitat for Humanity, and other programs available. Prepared for the Salisbury City Council on June 1, 1989. - $5

West Side Redevelopment Concept Plan
Goals and objectives for the west side residential area, commercial area and public improvements based on the analysis of the neighborhood. Prepared for the Salisbury City Council on June 12, 1989. Revised January 30, 1995. - $5

West Side Neighborhood Analysis
A study of census block data, environmental deficiencies and the west side residential target area. Prepared for the Salisbury City Council - June 1, 1989. - $5