The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) has released the Sustainable Growth Implementation Guide, a flexible framework designed to help communities plan proactively for growth while balancing economic, environmental, and social priorities. This guide comes after Governor Wes Moore signed legislation in spring 2025 establishing Maryland’s eight Sustainable Growth Planning Principles, which serve as the foundation for the state’s new unified approach to planning and development.
The Implementation Guide provides a practical companion to the Principles, offering guidance on how they can be applied to comprehensive plans, projects, and policy development. MDP Secretary Rebecca Flora emphasized that the guide is intended to foster thriving communities by giving planners and local jurisdictions access to adaptable best practices that respond to rapidly changing conditions, rather than relying on outdated or overly prescriptive regulations.
“The Guide is a hands-on resource that helps communities plan for growth in ways that are equitable, sustainable, and economically vibrant,” Secretary Flora said.
A Collaborative Effort
Creating the guide involved input from more than 80 staff across 14 state agencies, including the Sustainable Growth Subcabinet, chaired by Secretary Flora. Local jurisdictions also contributed through MDP-hosted Regional Planner Roundtables, helping to identify pressing local needs and strategies for successful implementation.
Montgomery Planning Director Jason K. Sartori noted, “The Sustainable Growth Planning Principles provide clarity and priorities for land use, development, and sustainable growth in Maryland. This Guide will help embed these principles into local planning efforts, ensuring growth is equitable, resilient, and sustainable for future generations.”
Building on Smart Growth
The Sustainable Growth Implementation Guide builds on Maryland’s longstanding Smart Growth legacy, providing a framework that balances economic opportunity with environmental stewardship and social well-being. By offering flexibility and clear guidance, the Guide aims to help communities capture the benefits of innovation while meeting the needs of Maryland residents today and into the future.
The Sustainable Growth Implementation Guide is now available on the Maryland Department of Planning website: planning.maryland.gov/SustainableGrowth.