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Montgomery County Overview
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COMCOR - Code of Montgomery County Regulations
COMCOR Code of Montgomery County Regulations
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CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 1A. STRUCTURE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 2. ADMINISTRATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 2B. AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 3. AIR QUALITY CONTROL - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 3A. ALARMS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 5. ANIMAL CONTROL - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 8. BUILDINGS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 8A. CABLE COMMUNICATIONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 10B. COMMON OWNERSHIP COMMUNITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 11. CONSUMER PROTECTION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 11A. CONDOMINIUMS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 11B. CONTRACTS AND PROCUREMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 13. DETENTION CENTERS AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 15. EATING AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 16. ELECTIONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 17. ELECTRICITY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 18A. ENERGY POLICY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 19. EROSION, SEDIMENT CONTROL AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 19A. ETHICS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 20 FINANCE - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 21 FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 22. FIRE SAFETY CODE - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 22A. FOREST CONSERVATION - TREES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 23A. GROUP HOMES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 24. HEALTH AND SANITATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 24A. HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 24B. HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 25. HOSPITALS, SANITARIUMS, NURSING AND CARE HOMES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 25A. HOUSING, MODERATELY PRICED - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 25B. HOUSING POLICY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 26. HOUSING AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE STANDARDS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 27. HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 27A. INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 29. LANDLORD-TENANT RELATIONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 30. LICENSING AND REGULATIONS GENERALLY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 30C. MOTOR VEHICLE TOWING AND IMMOBILIZATION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 31. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 31A. MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR AND TOWING REGISTRATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 31B. NOISE CONTROL - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 31C. NEW HOME BUILDER AND SELLER REGISTRATION AND WARRANTY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 33. PERSONNEL AND HUMAN RESOURCES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 33B. PESTICIDES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 35. POLICE - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 36. POND SAFETY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 38A. RADIO, TELEVISION AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE INSTALLATION AND REPAIRS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 40. REAL PROPERTY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 41. RECREATION AND RECREATION FACILITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 41A. RENTAL ASSISTANCE - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 42A. RIDESHARING AND TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 44. SCHOOLS AND CAMPS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 44A. SECONDHAND PERSONAL PROPERTY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 45. SEWERS, SEWAGE DISPOSAL AND DRAINAGE - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 47. VENDORS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 48. SOLID WASTES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 49. STREETS AND ROADS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 50. SUBDIVISION OF LAND - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 51 SWIMMING POOLS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 51A. TANNING FACILITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 52. TAXATION - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 53. TAXICABS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 53A. TENANT DISPLACEMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 54. TRANSIENT LODGING FACILITIES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 55. TREE CANOPY - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 56. URBAN RENEWAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 56A. VIDEO GAMES - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 57. WEAPONS - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 59. ZONING - REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 60. SILVER SPRING, BETHESDA, WHEATON AND MONTGOMERY HILLS PARKING LOT DISTRICTS - REGULATIONS
MISCELLANEOUS MONTGOMERY COUNTY REGULATIONS
TABLE 1 Previous COMCOR Number to Current COMCOR Number
TABLE 2 Executive Regulation Number to Current COMCOR Number
TABLE 3 Executive Order Number to Current COMCOR Number
INDEX BY AGENCY
INDEX BY SUBJECT
County Attorney Opinions and Advice of Counsel
Section 3.6.6. Transportation
A.   Bus, Rail Terminal/Station
1.   Defined
Bus, Rail Terminal/Station means any structure and land used for bus and train arrivals and departures. Bus, Rail Terminal/Station does not include bus or train maintenance (see Section 3.5.13.D, Repair (Commercial Vehicle)).
2.   Use Standards
Where a Bus, Rail Terminal/Station is allowed as a limited use, bus or train storage is prohibited.
B.   Helipad, Heliport
1.   Defined
Helipad, Heliport means a designated area, either at ground level or elevated on a structure, that is used on a regular basis for the landing and takeoff of rotorcraft. Helipad, Heliport includes support facilities such as refueling services, maintenance and cargo loading areas, tie-downs and hangars, administration offices, and other appropriate terminal facilities.
2.   Use Standards
Where a Helipad, Heliport is allowed as a conditional use, it may be permitted by the Hearing Examiner under Section 7.3.1, Conditional Use, and the following standards:
a.   All applications for Helipad, Heliport must provide noise analysis sufficient to make a finding of noise compatibility around the facility (the primary impact area) and along and under the principal access routes (the secondary impact area). The primary impact area includes the rotorcraft facility and the area within a 4,000 foot radius from the helipad. The secondary impact area includes all areas in the County along and under the principal access routes to the rotorcraft facility excluding the primary impact area.
b.   The Helipad, Heliport noise analysis must include a description of detailed operational procedures that would minimize noise levels affecting sensitive land uses in both the primary and secondary impact areas (“fly neighborly” procedures). Based on use of these procedures and worst-day noise scenario with peak usage of the facility, projected rotorcraft noise level (in terms of day-night average sound level or DNL) must be developed using models approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (see FAA Advisory Circular 150/5020-2). This worst-day operational scenario becomes the maximum allowable limit for the type, weight, and noise characteristics of the rotorcraft proposed to use the facility; proposed number of operations; and approximate time of day that landings and departures could occur.
c.   Rotorcraft operations are noise compatible if ambient DNL noise levels at noise sensitive areas with rotorcraft operations (post-rotorcraft ambient noise levels) exceed pre-rotorcraft ambient DNL levels by one decibel or less. If rotorcraft operations already exist in the vicinity, the cumulative impact of all operations must be calculated to determine compliance.
d.   Instead of monitoring ambient conditions, the following noise- compatible land use planning goals for various land use types and densities must be used, as shown in the following table:
i.   Maximum Compatible Sound Levels
 
Approximate Density Residential
Day/Night Average Sound Level (DNL) in A-Weighted Decibels
Less than or equal to 1 unit per acre
55 dBA
2 units to 15 units per acre
60 dBA
Multi-unit and high rise
65 dBA
ii.   Based on this table and the compatibility standard of allowing only a one-decibel increase in the ambient levels, the following table designates maximum rotorcraft sound levels:
Maximum Rotorcraft Sound Levels
 
Approximate Density Residential
Day/Night Average Sound Level (DNL) in A-Weighted Decibels
Less than or equal to 1 unit per acre
49 dBA
2 units to 15 units per acre
54 dBA
Multi-unit and high rise
59 dBA
iii.   Where ambient noise levels significantly differ from those in the Maximum Compatible Sound Levels table, measurements or modeling may be performed to establish compatibility standards appropriate to the ambient environment. Office, commercial, and industrial land uses will not be reviewed for noise impacts with the following 2 exceptions: (1) situations where it appears likely that workers will be subjected to noise levels in excess of LEQ1 = 75 dBA for an 8-hour period; (2) in CBD or Transit Station areas, where amenity spaces are provided, if it appears that noise impacts may be of such magnitude as to significantly reduce the usefulness or inhibit the proper function of these spaces for their intended purpose. In addition to the cumulative noise standards, the Hearing Examiner may designate additional conditions for use in the public interest which may include, but not be limited to, restricting the number of rotorcraft operations, restricting the hours of operation of the facility, restricting operations of high noise generating rotorcraft during noise-sensitive hours, or any combinations of these restrictions.
e.   With the exception of operations on the helipad, all on-ground operations must satisfy the standards of Chapter 31B. In particular, heliport maintenance operations must satisfy these standards.
f.   All applications for a Helipad/Heliport must also contain the following information:
i.   An aerial photograph showing the primary impact area, as defined in Section 3.6.6.B.2.a, at a scale no less than one inch equals 400 feet showing the location of the proposed Helipad/Heliport; the approach and departure routes and altitudes within the primary impact area; the location of all residences, schools, churches, hospitals, and other areas used for the open assembly of people, and other noise sensitive uses that exist, have been approved for development, or are master planned within the primary impact area.
ii.   A map showing the intended flight paths and altitudes within the secondary impact area, as defined in Section 3.6.6.B.2.a. This map must indicate the proposed routes and altitude restrictions, if any, found to be acceptable by the Federal Aviation Administration.
iii.   Information concerning the type of rotorcraft facility proposed (helipad/heliport); the nature of the use (public use/private use); type, weight and noise characteristics of rotorcraft that would use the facility; the proposed number of operations and approximate time of day that landings and departures would occur for each type of rotorcraft; and finally, the facility's proposed operating hours.
iv.   A plan must be submitted for the Hearing Examiner's approval that complies with all the heliport design guideline recommendations in the Federal Aviation Administration's Heliport Design Guide, Advisory Circular No. 150/5390-1B, dated August 22, 1977, as amended. These guidelines are the minimum standards for the design and approval of a Helipad/Heliport plan. Exemptions to specific standards contained in the heliport design guide may be approved by the Hearing Examiner, but only after receiving a recommendation for approval of the requested exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration.
v.   For elevated facilities, an architectural drawing must be submitted which has been certified by a structural engineer licensed by the State of Maryland as demonstration that the structure will support the static and dynamic loads of rotorcraft proposed to use the facility, and that the fire safety regulations, as established in NFPA Publication #418, current edition, or any other regulations in effect at the time of application, have been satisfied.
vi.   A copy of the “Notice of Landing Area Proposal,” a copy of the Federal Aviation Administration's response to the Notice of Landing Area Proposal, and a copy of the Air Space Determination from the Federal Aviation Administration must be submitted.
vii.   In addition to the above requirements, the Hearing Examiner may require any additional information and analyses that may be relevant as the evidence of record and the public interest require.
g.   Permission for a private use Helipad, Heliport may be granted by the Hearing Examiner for a 5-year period or such shorter period as the Hearing Examiner may specify in granting the conditional use. The conditional use may be renewed by the Hearing Examiner for additional periods, a maximum of 5 years each, if the same findings required for the initial approval by the Hearing Examiner can still be made.
h.   Operators of approved Helipad, Heliport must maintain an accurate log of all rotorcraft operations, specifying each operation that occurs including the type of rotorcraft and the date and time of the operation. This log must be available for inspection by DPS as part of any inspection of operations for conditional uses. Failure to maintain the log or failure to make the log available to DPS as part of an inspection is a violation of the conditional use approval.
C.   Railroad Tracks
Defined
Railroad Tracks means fixed guideways for the movement of trains.
D.   Taxi/Limo Facility
1.   Defined
Taxi/Limo Facility means any structure or land for the dispatch or storage of taxis, limousines, or other vehicles for hire.
2.   Use Standards
Where a Taxi/Limo Facility is allowed as a limited use, vehicle storage is prohibited.