[Amended 8-12-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-1; 11-25-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-3]
The following zoning districts are hereby established for Caroline County, Maryland:
A. 
Primary zoning districts shall be as follows:
R, Rural District
R-1, Single-Family Residential District
R-2, Single-Family and Two-Family Residential District
C-1, Neighborhood Commercial District
C-2, General Commercial District
I-2, Light Industrial District
MH, Mobile Home District
VC, Village Center District
VN, Village Neighborhood District
B. 
Floating zoning districts shall be as follows:
RR, Rural Revitalization District
A. 
The official boundaries of the zoning districts shall be shown on the Maps, each designated as a "Zoning District Map of Caroline County, Maryland," dated and signed by the President of the County Commissioners of Caroline County and attested by the Clerk to the County Commissioners, upon adoption. The Official Zoning District Maps, together with all explanatory matter thereon, are adopted by reference and declared to be part of this chapter. Amendments to zoning district boundaries or other matter portrayed on the Official Zoning District Maps shall be promptly recorded on the Maps after approval by the County Commissioners. No changes in zoning district boundaries shall be made on the Official Zoning District Maps except in conformity with this chapter.
B. 
Regardless of the existence of copies of the Official Zoning District Maps which may from time to time be made or published, the Official Zoning District Maps shall be located in the office of the County Planning Department and shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of any property within the County's jurisdiction.
A. 
Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the Official Zoning District Maps or under circumstances not covered under this section, the Planning Commission shall interpret the location of the zoning district boundaries.
B. 
The location of zoning districts, as determined from an Official Zoning District Map, are subject to the following rules of interpretation:
(1) 
The regulations pertaining to a zoning district shall extend throughout the whole area bounded by the zoning district lines.
(2) 
Where a boundary line is shown to be located within a street, alley, railroad track, stream, pond or other physical feature, it shall be deemed to be in the actual center of said feature.
(3) 
Where a boundary line is shown as being located a specific distance from a street or other physical feature, this distance shall control and shall be measured from the center of the feature.
(4) 
Distances not specifically indicated on the Official Zoning District Maps shall be determined by the scale of the Map.
A. 
R, Rural District. This primary zoning district is intended to protect and preserve areas of the county which are presently rural or agricultural in character and use. The purpose of this zoning district is to provide for a full range of agricultural activities; to provide for the location of agribusiness uses; and to allow limited low-density residential development in minor subdivisions, and rural major subdivisions not exceeding 50 lots in size in the County's transferable development rights receiving area. This zoning district is also intended for purposes of protecting watersheds and water supplies; to provide for spacious development; to protect forest, wetland and scenic areas; to conserve fish and wildlife; to promote forestry, the growing of crops and grazing; and to prevent untimely scattering of more dense urban development. Furthermore, it is intended that in this zoning district there shall be no basis, under this chapter, for recourse against the effects of any normal farming operation as permitted in this zoning district, and conducted in accordance with good husbandry practices, including but not limited to noise, odor, vibration, fumes, dust or glare.
B. 
Residential districts. These primary zoning districts are intended to provide for residential development, together with such public buildings, schools, churches, public recreational facilities and accessory uses as may be necessary or are normally compatible with residential surroundings.
(1) 
R-1, Single-Family Residential District. This zoning district is intended to provide the principal location for single-family residential development of medium density. R-1 Districts should be located in the vicinity of the incorporated towns, in and immediately contiguous to the unincorporated villages and in established residential areas.
(2) 
R-2, Single-Family and Two-Family Residential District. This zoning district is intended to provide for single-family and two-family residential development of high density where public water and sewerage facilities are available.[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(3), R-3, Multiple-Family Residential District, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 8-12-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-1.
C. 
[2]C-1, Neighborhood Commercial District. This primary zoning district is intended to provide for a variety of commercial retail stores, businesses and personal services which serve primarily the needs of the adjacent neighborhood. Furthermore, the size of any permitted commercial, retail or personal service establishment in this zoning district shall be limited to a maximum gross floor area of 3,000 square feet, unless a variance is granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
[2]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection C, HC, Highway Commercial District, amended 5-5-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-2, was repealed 8-12-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-1. Said Ord. No. 2014-1 also redesignated former Subsections D through I as Subsections C through H, respectively, and former Subsection J as Subsection K.
D. 
C-2, General Commercial District. This primary zoning district is intended to provide for a wide variety of commercial retail stores, businesses and personal services of any size serving a large geographic area. Furthermore, the size of any commercial wholesaling and warehousing establishment in this zoning district shall be limited to a maximum gross floor area of 20,000 square feet, unless a variance is granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
E. 
I-2 Light Industrial District. This primary zoning district is intended to provide for a wide range of industrial uses that are compatible with adjacent uses to the extent that any adverse effects on health, safety or welfare are minimized and, to the extent reasonably practicable, are avoided. This primary zoning district is further intended to prohibit any new residential uses, and to prohibit any discontinued or abandoned residential uses previously existing within this primary zoning district. This primary zoning district is further intended to allow the establishment of an adult-oriented business consistent with the requirements of § 175-42 of this Zoning Code, and any other applicable laws or regulations. This zoning district is intended primarily for light manufacturing, fabricating, warehousing, wholesale distribution, and adult-oriented businesses in low buildings with off-street loading and parking and with access by major thoroughfares or railroads. Light industries include those that manufacture, process, store, package or distribute goods and materials and are, in general, dependent on raw materials refined elsewhere. Any other industrial use not of the character described above may be permitted if approved as a special use exception by the Board of Zoning Appeals. An adult-oriented business use in this primary zoning district shall not require a special use exception and is a permitted use if it can be implemented in compliance with the requirements of § 175-42 of this Code. Proposed industrial, commercial or adult-oriented business uses in this primary zoning district shall be permitted only in accordance with an approved site plan and approval from the Health Department of sufficient water supply and sanitary/sewer/septage services.
F. 
Rural Village Districts. These primary zoning districts are intended to provide for low- or moderate-intensity residential and commercial uses. This district may contain a mixture of residential, commercial, and maritime/agricultural service uses within and near existing rural development centers. The commercial uses primarily serve residents and those in the vicinity. Development is directed to this district so that more rural areas’ environments and natural resources are protected and preserved. These districts may have public water and/or sewer service and relatively small lots and higher densities.
(1) 
VC, Village Center District. This zoning district is intended to provide a mixed use of low- to moderate-intensity commercial and residential development. The commercial uses primarily serve the residents and those in the vicinity.
(2) 
VN, Village Neighborhood District. This zoning district is intended to provide for low- or moderate-density residential use. Residential development is directed to this district so that more rural areas’ environments and natural resources are protected and preserved. These districts may have public water and/or sewer service; however, services should not be the basis for new development inconsistent with the existing scale or character.
G. 
MH, Mobile Home District. This zoning district is intended to provide for the development of planned mobile home parks and subdivisions which are designed to provide an appropriate, safe, sanitary and attractive living environment.
H. 
RR, Rural Revitalization District. This floating overlay zoning district is intended to allow for the revitalization, renewal, and redevelopment of developed properties within the R, Rural and R-1, Residential Zoning Districts where commercial and industrial uses have historically occurred while preserving and maintaining Caroline County's unique rural character and protecting the interests of adjoining property owners. The Rural Revitalization Zoning District may contain uses that are not generally permitted in the R, Rural or R-1, Residential Zoning District, but that on specific properties may be compatible with surrounding land uses, and no more intensive than the historical use.
[Added 11-25-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-3[3]]
[3]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated former Subsections H and K as Subsections I and J, respectively.
I. 
Critical area districts.
(1) 
The regulations and requirements set forth in this Article, set forth elsewhere in this chapter or set forth in the document, "Critical Area Program for Caroline County," are the regulations that govern properties in critical area zoning districts. The "Critical Area Program for Caroline County" and all subsequent amendments and revisions thereto approved by the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter and shall be administered and enforced as part of this chapter. The purpose of these zoning districts is to control development and activities in the critical area so as to:
(a) 
Minimize adverse impacts on water quality that result from pollutants that are discharged from structures or conveyances that have run off from surrounding lands.
(b) 
Conserve fish, wildlife and plant habitat.
(c) 
Accommodate growth but also address the fact that, even if pollution is controlled, the number, movement and activities of persons in the critical area can create adverse environmental impacts.
(2) 
The boundaries of the critical area zoning districts are established as part of the Official Zoning District Maps and are in addition to the existing underlying zoning districts shown on the Official Zoning District Maps, and, as such, the regulations for properties in the critical area zoning districts shall be supplementary to the underlying zoning district regulations.
(3) 
The official boundary of the critical area has been established by including:
(a) 
All waters of and lands under the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to the head of tide, as indicated on the state wetlands maps, and all state and private wetlands designated under Title 9, Natural Resources Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(b) 
All land and water areas within 1,000 feet beyond the landward boundaries of state or private wetlands and the heads of tides designated under Title 9, Natural Resources Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(4) 
Where there happens to be any conflict between the regulations or provisions of the critical area zoning districts and those of an underlying zoning district, the more restrictive regulations and/or those pertaining to the critical area zoning district shall apply.
(5) 
RCD, Critical Area Resource Conservation District. This district includes those areas characterized by nature-dominated environments (i.e., wetlands, forests, abandoned fields) and resource utilization activities (i.e., agriculture, forestry, fisheries activities or aquaculture).
(6) 
LDD, Critical Area Limited Development District. This district includes those areas which are currently developed in low or moderate intensity uses. It also contains areas of natural plant and animal habitats, where the quality of runoff from these areas has not been substantially altered or impaired.
J. 
Additional standards for business/commercial operations, including cottage industries, in all districts. These standards are intended to establish higher safety, aesthetic, and design standards for business or commercial properties. These standards shall apply to all business/commercial uses (irrespective of zoning district) and to all cottage industry uses. All properties are subject to the requirements of the Maryland State Highway Administration, if applicable. Additionally, the following development standards apply:
(1) 
Mechanical equipment. All ground-mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened from view by the use of walls, fences or landscaping. All roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be properly screened to minimize visual impact, where such screening will be effective. Where screening will not be effective, the color of the equipment shall be the same as the building.
(2) 
Building facades. Buildings which have their back or side facing a road or highway shall be designed and constructed to avoid lengthy, unbroken facades with no scale, detailing or fenestration or they shall be required to plant shade or evergreen trees on twenty-five foot centers within 12 feet of the rear or side of the building, except in front of entrances or signage. In the area in front of wall signs, there shall be a row of hedges a minimum of eight feet on center.
(3) 
Service, loading and equipment storage areas. Service areas including storage, special equipment, maintenance, and loading areas shall be screened with landscaping and/or architectural treatment so as not to be visible from a road or highway. Refuse collection areas shall be visually screened with a solid perimeter wall consisting of materials and colors compatible with those of the adjacent structure and shall be roofed if the contents are visible from a road or highway.
(4) 
Signage. All signage locations shall comply with County and state requirements as applicable. Additionally, all signage shall comply with the Caroline County Table of Permitted and Regulated Signs.[4]
[4]
Editor’s Note: The Table of Permitted and Regulated Signs is attached to this chapter.
(5) 
Lighting. Direct light and glare from lights can be both a hazard and a nuisance to drivers and neighboring residential development. Site lighting shall be from a concealed light source fixture and with effective provisions made to avoid spillover into adjoining properties and roadways or in any way interfering with the vision of motorists. Exterior lighting shall not emit any light above a horizontal plane. Searchlights, laser source lights or any similar high-intensity light for advertising purposes shall be prohibited.
(6) 
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the above provisions in Subsection K(1) through (5) shall not apply to any cottage industry that can substantiate that it is not visible from a road or neighboring property.