Certificate of Adequacy (ADQ)
The Certificate of Adequacy (ADQ) is a new process that confirms necessary infrastructure is built at the same time or prior to the proposed development. A Certificate of Adequacy is reviewed during the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision phase and is certified by the Planning Director prior to Planning Board review of the Preliminary Plan. The request for a Certificate of Adequacy is submitted concurrently with the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision application.
Pre-Application Conference: Not Required
Pre-Application Neighborhood Meeting: Not Required
Subdivision and Development Review Committee (SDRC): Not Required
Decision-Making Body: Certificates of Adequacy are decided by the Planning Director.
Fees: No fee
Public Notice Requirement: None
Estimated Review Time: Certificates of Adequacy are reviewed and issued within 70 days of acceptance.
Application Instructions
The new Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations go into effect April 1, 2022. Any application accepted prior to the effective date of the new Ordinance will be reviewed and decided in accordance to the provisions of the prior Ordinance. See the Transitional Provisions Quick Reference for more information.
Certificates of Adequacy requests are generally filed and reviewed concurrently with and issued prior to the review of a Preliminary Plan of Subdivision (major or minor). Follow the requirements for Preliminary Plan of Subdivision application submission to file a Certificate of Adequacy request. Fill out this application form and email the PDF along with required submission materials to DRDApplications@ppd.mncppc.org.
Important Documents
Application Forms and Filing Instructions
- Pre-Application Online Form
- Application Form
- Certification of Adequacy Application Procedure
- Preliminary Plan Application Procedure
- Preliminary Plan Checklist
- Final Plat Checklist and Application Procedure
- Applications Submissions Changes - Ongoing (UPDATED)
- Transitional Provisions Quick Reference
Fee Information
Transportation Documents
Parks and Recreation Documents
Relevant Development Review Bulletins
- Bulletin 2-2022 New Code Implementation
- Bulletin 1-2022 Zoning Certification
- Bulletin 8-2021 Pre-Applications Online
- Bulletin 7-2021 Contact Information for Planning Department Staff
- Bulletin 4-2021 Bicycle Pedestrian Impact Statements
- Bulletin 2-2021 Attorney General Opinion on regarding forest mitigation banking under the Maryland Forest Conservation Act (“FCA”)
- Bulletin 4-2020 Traffic Counts affected by COVID-19 Pandemic
- Bulletin 3-2020 Applications Submissions Changes - Ongoing (UPDATED)
- Bulletin 1-2020 Deadline for Revised Information
- Bulletin 7-2019 PPS-Police Response
- Bulletin 5-2019 Electronic Certification Improvements (UPDATED)
- Bulletin 4-2019 Recreation-Facilities-Submissions-by-Email