Montgomery County, MD · Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 59)
The Moderate Industrial (IM) zone provides land for industrial activities where major transportation links are not typically necessary and noise, dust, vibration, glare, and odor impacts are usually minimal. Total FAR (0.25-2.5 range) and building height (25-120 ft range) are mapped on the Zoning Map and encoded in the zone label (e.g. IM-2.5 H-50 = 2.5 FAR, 50 ft). Standard-method development only.
Development standards in IM
Front setback
10 ft
Chapter 59 Div 4.8
Side setback
10 ft
Chapter 59 Div 4.8
Rear setback
10 ft
Chapter 59 Div 4.8
Maximum height
Set by the building type you propose -- the IM 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 IM 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 IM 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; IM range 25-120 ft (encoded as H-, e.g. H-50)
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 IM
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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.4.C.
AllowedPrivate Club, Service Organization 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 55, column IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.6.
AllowedRestaurant 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 68, column IM. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.3.B.
ConditionalConference Center 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 94, column IM. 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 IM. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.10.F.
AllowedOffice 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 84, column IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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 IM. 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, Sec 4.8.2-4.8.3 (Table 4.8.3A), PDF (Feb 3 2026)
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.