Montgomery County, MD · Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 59)
The CR zone is a mixed-use zone intended for larger, denser activity centers such as Bethesda, Silver Spring, and White Flint. FAR and height limits are mapped on the Zoning Map. The optional method provides incentive density for public benefits.
Development standards in CR
Maximum height
Set by the building type you propose -- the CR Standard Method Development Standards table sets this per building type (detached house, duplex, townhouse, apartment), so no single figure is true for the whole zone — see Chapter 59 Div 4.5
Maximum lot coverage
Set by the building type you propose -- the CR Standard Method Development Standards table sets this per building type (detached house, duplex, townhouse, apartment), so no single figure is true for the whole zone — see Chapter 59 Div 4.5
Minimum lot size
Set by the building type you propose -- the CR Standard Method Development Standards table sets this per building type (detached house, duplex, townhouse, apartment), so no single figure is true for the whole zone — see Chapter 59 Div 4.5
Maximum height, Maximum lot coverage and Minimum lot size are banded in the ordinance — it depends on what you build or on the lot itself, so no single figure is true for the whole zone. The cited table is the authority; read the tier that matches your intended structure.
Mapped on Zoning Map (typically 45-300 ft in major centers)
Read from Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 59), effective through 2026-02-03. Amendments adopted after that date (most recent 2026-04-13) are not yet reflected.
How complete is this market? Across 304,119 parcels we answer 60.0% of the 6 questions this site is built to answer, each with a source you can check. The rest are shown as “not recorded” rather than filled in — we would rather be short than wrong.
Permitted uses in CR
AllowedSingle-Unit Living Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 20, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.1.B.
AllowedTwo-Unit Living Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 21, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.1.C.
AllowedTownhouse Living Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 22, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.1.D.
AllowedMulti-Unit Living Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 23, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.1.E.
Not AllowedAttached Accessory Dwelling Unit This use is not listed for this zone in the Use Table. Section 3.1.1.D: "A blank cell indicates that a use is prohibited in that zone". Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 34, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.3.B.
ConditionalHome Occupation (No Impact) Varies -- Limited under some conditions and Conditional under others. This pairing is not in the Section 3.1.1 key; the use's own standards decide which applies, so it is served as the stricter of the two. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 40, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.3.H.
AllowedShort-Term Residential Rental Permitted by right, subject to the limited use standards in Div 3.2-3.7. Section 3.1.1.B: an "L" indicates that the use is permitted if it meets the limited use standards -- there is no hearing. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 44, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.3.I.
AllowedFamily Day Care (Up to 12 Persons) Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 49, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.4.C.
AllowedPrivate Club, Service Organization Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 55, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.8.
AllowedPublic Use (Except Utilities) Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 56, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.9.
AllowedReligious Assembly Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 57, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.10.
AllowedCultural Institution Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 47, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.3.
AllowedCharitable, Philanthropic Institution Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 46, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.2.
Not AllowedBed and Breakfast This use is not listed for this zone in the Use Table. Section 3.1.1.D: "A blank cell indicates that a use is prohibited in that zone". Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 75, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.6.B.
AllowedHotel, Motel Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 76, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.6.
AllowedRestaurant Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 68, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.3.B.
AllowedConference Center Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 94, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.10.C.
AllowedRecreation and Entertainment Facility, Indoor (Capacity up to 1,000 Persons) Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 97, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.10.F.
AllowedOffice Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 84, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.8.B.
Not AllowedLife Sciences This use is not listed for this zone in the Use Table. Section 3.1.1.D: "A blank cell indicates that a use is prohibited in that zone". Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 83, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.8.A.
AllowedResearch and Development Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 85, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.8.C.
AllowedRetail/Service Establishment (Up to 5,000 SF) Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 104, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.11.B.
AllowedRetail/Service Establishment (15,001 - 50,000 SF) Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 106, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.11.B.
ConditionalFilling Station Allowed only as a conditional use: it must meet the conditional use standards in Div 3.2-3.7 and requires approval by the Hearing Examiner (Sec. 3.1.1.C). Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 119, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.13.C.
Not AllowedFarming This use is not listed for this zone in the Use Table. Section 3.1.1.D: "A blank cell indicates that a use is prohibited in that zone". Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 6, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.2.6.
Not AllowedEquestrian Facility This use is not listed for this zone in the Use Table. Section 3.1.1.D: "A blank cell indicates that a use is prohibited in that zone". Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 4, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.2.4.
AllowedFarm Market, On-site Permitted by right, subject to the limited use standards in Div 3.2-3.7. Section 3.1.1.B: an "L" indicates that the use is permitted if it meets the limited use standards -- there is no hearing. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 15, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.2.10.C.
AllowedLight Manufacturing and Production Permitted by right, subject to the limited use standards in Div 3.2-3.7. Section 3.1.1.B: an "L" indicates that the use is permitted if it meets the limited use standards -- there is no hearing. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 144, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.6.4.C.
Not AllowedHeavy Manufacturing and Production This use is not listed for this zone in the Use Table. Section 3.1.1.D: "A blank cell indicates that a use is prohibited in that zone". Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 143, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.6.4.B.
AllowedStorage Facility Permitted by right, subject to the limited use standards in Div 3.2-3.7. Section 3.1.1.B: an "L" indicates that the use is permitted if it meets the limited use standards -- there is no hearing. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 163, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.6.8.E.
Not AllowedFreight Movement This use is not listed for this zone in the Use Table. Section 3.1.1.D: "A blank cell indicates that a use is prohibited in that zone". Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 159, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.6.8.A.
AllowedPublic Utility Structure Permitted by right, subject to the limited use standards in Div 3.2-3.7. Section 3.1.1.B: an "L" indicates that the use is permitted if it meets the limited use standards -- there is no hearing. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 157, column CR. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.6.7.E.
"Conditional" means the use generally requires a public hearing or special-exception approval — a very different timeline and risk profile from a by-right permit.
This is the zone. What about the parcel?
Zone rules are the starting point — the answer for a specific property also depends on lot
size, overlays, existing improvements and site conditions. Run a free address lookup to see
what applies to one property.
Standards as recorded by Zonescore: Chapter 59 Div 4.5
Coverage note: our ordinance review for this jurisdiction is still in progress. Treat the values above as a starting point and confirm against the ordinance before relying on them.