Montgomery County, MD · Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 59)
The Industrial Heavy zone allows heavy industrial, manufacturing, and utility uses. Residential not permitted.
Development standards in IH
Maximum height
Set by the building type you propose -- the IH 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 4.8
Maximum lot coverage
Set by the building type you propose -- the IH 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 4.8
Minimum lot size
Set by the building type you propose -- the IH 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 4.8
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
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 IH
Not AllowedSingle-Unit Living 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 20, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.1.B.
Not AllowedTwo-Unit Living 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 21, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.1.C.
Not AllowedTownhouse Living 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 22, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.1.D.
Not AllowedMulti-Unit Living 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 23, column IH. 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 IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.3.B.
Not AllowedHome Occupation (No Impact) 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 40, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.3.H.
Not AllowedShort-Term Residential Rental 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 44, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.3.I.
Not AllowedFamily Day Care (Up to 12 Persons) 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 49, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.4.C.
Not AllowedPrivate Club, Service Organization 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 55, column IH. 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 IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.9.
Not AllowedReligious Assembly 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 57, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.10.
Not AllowedCultural Institution 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 47, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.3.
Not AllowedCharitable, Philanthropic Institution 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 46, column IH. 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 IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.6.B.
Not AllowedHotel, Motel 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 76, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.6.
Not AllowedRestaurant 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 68, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.3.B.
Not AllowedConference Center 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 94, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.10.C.
ConditionalRecreation and Entertainment Facility, Indoor (Capacity up to 1,000 Persons) 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 97, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.10.F.
Not AllowedOffice 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 84, column IH. 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 IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.8.A.
Not AllowedResearch and Development 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 85, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.8.C.
AllowedRetail/Service Establishment (Up to 5,000 SF) 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 104, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.11.B.
AllowedRetail/Service Establishment (15,001 - 50,000 SF) 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 106, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.11.B.
Not AllowedFilling Station 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 119, column IH. 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 IH. 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 IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.2.4.
Not AllowedFarm Market, On-site 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 15, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.2.10.C.
AllowedLight Manufacturing and Production Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 144, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.6.4.C.
AllowedHeavy Manufacturing and Production Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 143, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.6.4.B.
AllowedStorage Facility Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 163, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.6.8.E.
AllowedFreight Movement Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 159, column IH. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.6.8.A.
ConditionalPublic Utility Structure 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 157, column IH. 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 4.8
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.