Montgomery County, MD · Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 59)
The Rural Cluster zone allows cluster development on rural land, preserving open space while permitting single-family residential use. Minimum lot size 5 acres gross; cluster lots may be smaller.
Development standards in RC
Maximum height
50 ft
Chapter 59 Div 4.3
Maximum lot coverage
10%
Chapter 59 Div 4.3
Front setback
50 ft
Chapter 59 Div 4.3
Side setback
20 ft
Chapter 59 Div 4.3
Rear setback
35 ft
Chapter 59 Div 4.3
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 RC
AllowedSingle-Unit Living Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 20, column RC. 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 RC. 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 RC. 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 RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.3.1.E.
AllowedAttached Accessory Dwelling Unit 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 34, column RC. 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 RC. 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 RC. 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 RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.4.C.
ConditionalPrivate Club, Service Organization 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 55, column RC. 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 RC. 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 RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.10.
AllowedCultural Institution 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 47, column RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.3.
ConditionalCharitable, Philanthropic Institution 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 46, column RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.4.2.
AllowedBed and Breakfast 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 75, column RC. 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 RC. 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 RC. 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 RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.10.C.
Not AllowedRecreation and Entertainment Facility, Indoor (Capacity up to 1,000 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 97, column RC. 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 RC. 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 RC. 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 RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.8.C.
Not AllowedRetail/Service Establishment (Up to 5,000 SF) 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 104, column RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.11.B.
Not AllowedRetail/Service Establishment (15,001 - 50,000 SF) 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 106, column RC. 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 RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.5.13.C.
AllowedFarming Permitted by right. Use Table, Sec. 3.1.6 (Chapter 59, Div 3.1), row 6, column RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.2.6.
ConditionalEquestrian Facility 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 4, column RC. 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 RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.2.10.C.
Not AllowedLight 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 144, column RC. 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 RC. Use-specific standards: Sec. 3.6.4.B.
Not AllowedStorage 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 163, column RC. 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 RC. 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 RC. 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 4.3
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.