Council repeals 2023 rule allowing residential storage on commercial lots (Bill 2026-10)
September 01, 2026 | Dorchester County, Maryland
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The Dorchester County Council voted to approve Bill 2026-10, a zoning text amendment that repeals a 2023 provision that had permitted residential-storage structures on commercial lots in certain zoning districts.
During the public hearing, resident David Beverly asked whether the amendment would affect his property and a federal lease associated with the Crapo Post Office; planning staff (Susan Webb) said the change should not affect existing federal leases and that continued, preexisting uses would remain legal nonconforming uses. Webb explained the intent: the 2023 provision created conflicts with building and life-safety codes because a structure built to residential standards may not meet commercial building-code requirements if later marketed as commercial.
"It re re peels the bill that was passed in 2023 just reversing it," Webb said, summarizing the change. Council members discussed grandfathering for continued uses, and then moved, seconded, and passed the bill on the record.
During the public hearing, resident David Beverly asked whether the amendment would affect his property and a federal lease associated with the Crapo Post Office; planning staff (Susan Webb) said the change should not affect existing federal leases and that continued, preexisting uses would remain legal nonconforming uses. Webb explained the intent: the 2023 provision created conflicts with building and life-safety codes because a structure built to residential standards may not meet commercial building-code requirements if later marketed as commercial.
"It re re peels the bill that was passed in 2023 just reversing it," Webb said, summarizing the change. Council members discussed grandfathering for continued uses, and then moved, seconded, and passed the bill on the record.
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