Subject
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Public Hearing on Amendments to Rockville City Code Chapter 21, Streets, Roads, Rights-of-Way, and Public Improvements, to Incorporate Comprehensive Revisions and Administrative Updates for All Articles
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Department
PW - Engineering
Recommendation
Staff recommend that the Mayor and Council conduct a public hearing on amendments to Chapter 21, Streets, Roads, Rights-of-Way, and Public Improvements, and to hold the public record open until November 25, 2026.
Change in Law or Policy
The adoption of the new code will replace the existing Ordinance (Chapter 21) in its entirety.
Discussion
Chapter 21 of the Rockville City Code regulates the City’s streets, roads, rights-of-way and certain public easements by establishing requirements for the design of road sections and the permitting, construction, installation, repair, and restoration of infrastructure, including public and private improvements located in rights-of-way and easements.
Staff proposes comprehensive amendments to Chapter 21, colloquially referred to as the “Road Code,” to advance the City’s priorities of public safety, affordable housing, and economic development by modernizing development standards, improving accessibility, and streamlining the approval process for projects that are consistent with current planning and engineering practices. Revisions are proposed in synchronization with the recently adopted Zoning Ordinance Rewrite (ZOR).
The formal public review and adoption process initiated on September 28, 2026, when Mayor and Council introduced an ordinance to repeal and replace Chapter 21. The adoption process consists of a series of work sessions with the Transportation and Mobility Commission and Mayor and Council to review the drafted ordinance, a public hearing, and culminating in the Mayor and Council’s adoption of the ordinance into law. During the review process, community members are also able to review, comment, and testify on the drafted ordinance.
A copy of the ordinance is attached as Attachment 1. A redline document showing the proposed changes the ordinance would make to the current Chapter 21 is attached as Attachment 2.
Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council held work sessions on July 27 and September 28, 2026, to discuss the proposed major changes and to provide guidance to staff in drafting the ordinance. The draft ordinance to amend Rockville City Code Chapter 21, Streets, Roads, Rights-of-Way, and Public Improvements was introduced by Mayor and Council on September 28, 2026.
Public Notification and Engagement
Staff held a virtual community meeting with stakeholders, including developers, engineers, land use attorneys, urban planners, and the general public, on August 31, 2026. Newspaper notice of October 26, 2026, public hearing was also completed. The public record will be held open until November 25, 2026.
Boards and Commissions Review
Staff held a briefing with the Transportation and Mobility Commission (TMC) on August 25, 2026. Members of the Rockville Bicycle Advocacy Committee (RBAC) and Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee (RPAC) were also invited to attend the TMC meeting. Staff will return to the TMC on October 27, 2026, to receive the Commission’s formal comments and recommendations to Mayor and Council.
Next Steps
Adoption Process
Staff will continue to make changes to the Road Code based on the direction of the Mayor and Council and comments from the public and Transportation and Mobility Commission. The ordinance is tentatively scheduled to be brought back to the Mayor and Council for adoption on December 7, 2026.
Post-Adoption
Staff will make updates to the Standards and Specifications. Staff will separately seek Mayor and Council approval of legal templates for certain easements and right-of-way agreements for private improvements.