Sponsor seeks narrow fix to ADU historic-property exemption to protect small historic towns

At the committee hearing, Delegate Bridal presented House Bill 12-36, a technical amendment to the accessory dwelling unit provisions passed in the 2025 session. The bill adds a second paragraph to the law’s historic-property exemption so that properties “properly located within a district designated by the applicable local jurisdiction to be of historic significance in accordance with section 8-105 of the Land Use Article” are covered.

The sponsor said the change is intended as enabling language to allow small, historically significant towns to retain local control over preservation while complying with the statewide ADU mandate. He asked for the committee’s favorable report. No questions were raised and the chair closed the hearing on the bill.

If adopted, the amendment would clarify that locally designated historic districts retain an exemption under state ADU law, a drafting change rather than a policy reversal.