Building what matters, faster
Montgomery Planning’s Expedited Approval Plans track is designed to advance high‑priority development projects faster without compromising the thorough, transparent review process that ensures that every development complies with the applicable laws and regulations.
What is Expedited Approval?
All development projects in Montgomery County go through a formal public review to ensure they meet zoning and other regulatory requirements, and account for environmental and other impacts. The Expedited Approval Plan track follows the same rigorous review standards, but on a faster, timeline. For qualifying projects, that means decisions in weeks instead of months.
- Consolidation of Sketch and Site Plan applications into a single Expedited Approval Plan
- Planning Board hearing guaranteed within 65 days, compared to the typical 90-day review period for a Sketch Plan and 120‑day review period for a Site Plan
- Clear, predictable timelines that reduce uncertainty
- No shortcuts, just a faster, more efficient process
Why Expedited Approval matters
By shortening the review timeline, Expedited Approval Plans help:
- Major job creators in priority industries
- Bio-health facilities in priority locations
- Mixed‑Income Housing Communities with below‑market affordable units
- Commercial‑to‑Residential projects that convert underused commercial buildings into housing developments
Developers gain speed for projects most critical to the county’s economic and policy goals. Communities benefit from timely investment. And the county moves faster toward its economic and housing goals.
Which projects qualify?
Expedited Approval is reserved for projects that directly support Montgomery County’s growth strategy by creating jobs or housing, including:
- Major job creators in priority industries
- Bio-health facilities in priority locations
- Mixed‑Income Housing Communities with below‑market affordable units
- Commercial‑to‑Residential projects that convert underused commercial buildings into housing developments
Each project must meet clear qualifications before entering the expedited track to ensure fairness, transparency, and consistency.
Rigorous review providing a competitive advantage
Speed does not mean reduced scrutiny. Projects in the Expedited Approval Plans track:
- Undergo full technical and public review
- Must comply with all zoning and development regulations
- Are evaluated by Planning staff, county staff, and the Planning Board just like other applications
The difference is prioritization and efficiency.
By removing months from the development review process, Expedited Approval Plans help Montgomery County compete for:
- New company headquarters
- Expanding employers
- Innovative housing solutions
This approach is supported by regional economic partners, including the Montgomery County Council, state agency partners, the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
Building what matters, faster
Expedited Approval Plans help ensure that projects delivering jobs, housing, and long-term community benefits can move forward efficiently while maintaining the high standards Montgomery County residents expect.
Development review is a public process and community members can provide comments and suggestions to Planning staff during the review and to the Planning Board at the public hearing.
Learn about development proposals, how to participate in the review process, and how to comment on an application by visiting the “How to get involved” webpage.
Recent projects that have gone through Expedited Review:
- Tevis Place (Mixed-Income) in North Bethesda
- 20300-20350 Century Boulevard (Commercial to Residential) in Germantown
- Bethesda Cresent (Commercial to Residential) in Bethesda
- Sonina (Commercial to Residential) in Takoma-Langley