Show All Answers

1. What is proposed to be developed on the land next door?

You can find information on our page development applications under review .  You can also look at the Town calendar so see any upcoming neighborhood and board meetings. If you’d like additional information, contact the Planning Department. 

2. What kind of fence can I have? How tall can it be?

Examples of permitted fence types:

• Treated Wood
• Decorative Metal
• Cast Iron Fences
• Stucco Walls
• Stone Walls
• Brick Walls with a Stone Cap
• If you want propose a different type of fence, contact the Planning Department.

Other Information-

• No permit is required for installing a fence, however if a contractor is installing the fence, they must be licensed with the Town. 
• Be sure to check with the Town and your HOA for development guidelines and standards, such as style and approved colors. If you live in a development with no HOA, you are only required to abide by Town standards. If the fence is for a commercial building, check with the Planning Department for guidelines.
• Need to know where your property line is? You will need to contact a private surveyor to determine your property lines. 
• Rear and side fences can be up to 6ft tall.
• Front fences can not exceed 42 inches.
• Front fences must be at least 50% see through.
• Do you have a corner lot? If so, then a sight distance restrictions apply to the corner where the two streets meet. Contact the Engineering Department for more information.  

3. Do you need to replace your dead tree?

Yes Please! We love trees in Frederick. We encourage you to plant more than the minimum required. The Town of Frederick requires a tree near the street and one in the front yard. After move in, the tree near the street is the homeowner’s responsibility. So, replant those trees. They reduce the impacts of weather (sun and wind) on your home.  And who, who doesn’t love playing in the leaves?

Section 2.14 of the Land Use Code says, there shall be no less than one (1) tree in addition to the minimum required street tree within the front yard unless otherwise approved by the Town. All corner lots adjacent to a street or alley shall provide a side yard tree in addition to the required street tree, unless otherwise approved by the Town. 

Need to replant a tree, check out the Frederick tree sale! Starting February 1, a variety of trees will be available for purchase, on a first come first serve basis, and can be picked up just in time for Arbor Day in April. 

4. What are the setbacks on my property?

Setbacks vary depending on your zoning classification. You may determine your property’s zoning district by searching for your property address on the Town’s interactive mapping site. If you have additional questions about how to determine what your zoning is, please contact the Planning Department. View the Frederick Property Search Map. Once you know your zoning, see Section 3.5 of Land Use Code Article 3 to find your setback requirements. View the  3.5 Density and Dimensional Standards.

5. I’d like to open a large daycare in my home, but the State tells me I need a zoning verification letter. How do I get that?

Please call the Planning Department and request the zoning verification letter. There is a $75 fee for the letter and Planning Staff will need your name with correct spelling and your address. The letter can be left at the front desk for you to pick up or sent to you.

6. Am I able to have a business in my home?

In general, home businesses are permitted if the following criteria are met:

(a) Medical, dental and real estate offices are not permitted as home occupations.

(b) In addition to the family occupying the dwelling containing the home occupation, there shall not be more than one (1) outside employee in the home occupation.

(c) The employee and clients may park in on-street curbside parking spaces.

(d) The home occupation shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet or thirty percent (30%) of the total square footage of the dwelling, whichever is less, or can be located in an accessory building not to exceed five hundred (500) square feet.

(e) No exterior aspects of the home occupation operation shall disrupt the residential character of the area. The maximum number of clients which may visit the home occupation per day is ten (10).

7. Can I build a second dwelling on my property?

Accessory dwelling units are generally permitted; however, the size is limited based on your zoning district. You may determine your property’s zoning district by searching for your property address on the Town’s interactive mapping site. If you have additional questions about how to determine what your zoning is, please contact the Planning Department. Once you know what your zoning is, you can use the following regulations to determine how large your second dwelling unit can be. (a)In the Agriculture and Estate Residential Zoning Districts: i.Minimum floor area of five hundred (500) square feet. ii.Maximum floor area of one-half (1/2) the total floor area of the primary residence. (b)In the R-1 and R-2 Zoning Districts: i.Minimum floor area of five hundred (500) square feet. ii.Maximum floor area of one thousand (1,000) square feet. View the

Frederick Property Search Map

8. I want to expand my business and need a larger building. What do I need to do to add on to my existing building?

Before applying for a building permit, consult with the Planning Department to process an amendment to your existing site plan. A site plan is a drawing of the footprint of the building as it relates to all lot lines, easements, roads, sidewalks, trees and other features found on the property. The Planning Department keeps records of approved site plans, and updates existing plans when changes are made. If the changes to the site are minor, Planning staff will likely waive application fees and formal development review with a summary letter updating the site plan file. However, in the event of more significant changes to the site, such as reductions in parking and landscaping, relocation of utilities, or significant changes in architecture or building footprint, payment of fees and development review processes, including public notice, may be required. Please contact the Planning Department for more information.

9. What are the key functions of the Planning Department?

The Planning Department is responsible for maintenance and implementation of the Town of Frederick Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code. This includes processing land use applications, providing information related to zoning, setbacks, and other land use questions, as well as working with the Building Division to ensure new buildings comply with the Land Use Code. The Planning Department also administers the Town’s interactive mapping site, staff’s the Parks and Open Space Commission, maintains buildable lot inventories, projects growth, and participates in urban renewal activities as needed.

10. What does it cost to process a land use application?

Town Planning and Engineering staff operates on a cost recovery basis. As a result, the Town of Frederick charges both a non-refundable application fee as well as a deposit which is used to pay for staff review time. The fee and deposit are identified on the Fee Schedule. The deposit may or may not be sufficient to cover the review costs. Billing is completed on a monthly basis to update the applicant on the status of the deposit. If the deposit is depleted, the applicant is responsible for paying the amount above the deposit. View the Fee Schedule

11. What is my property zoned?

You may determine your property’s zoning district by searching for your property address on the Town’s interactive mapping site. If you have additional questions, please contact the Planning Department. View the

Frederick Property Search Map

12. Who is developing the land adjacent to my property?

If you’re interested in knowing about a specific developer, please contact the Planning Department.

13. What is the role of Planning Commission?

The Planning Commission is responsible for maintaining and implementing the Town of Frederick Comprehensive Plan and for making recommendations to the Board of Trustees on land use applications such as annexations, rezonings, subdivisions and conditional use permits. Learn more about the Planning Commission

14. What is the Town of Frederick Comprehensive Plan?

The Town of Frederick Comprehensive Plan is a long-range plan intended to guide the growth and development of the community. The Comprehensive Plan is a guiding document only, and is not an extension of the law, as the zoning and subdivision ordinances and other portions of the land use code are. The plan includes goals, policies, and strategies related to economic development, transportation, land use, culture, housing, commercial and industrial development, public improvements, and the environment.