The Calvert County Development Review Process is a 3-step process designed to move Site Plan and Subdivision projects from a Concept phase to a Detailed/Preliminary phase to Final Site Plans and recorded Subdivision Final Plats in a timely and efficient manner.
After completing the Development Review Process and securing Final Site Plans, you will then apply to the Department of Inspections & Permits for the building, grading, and any other permits needed to move your project forward.
Reviewing Agencies
Review of site plans by the Technical Evaluation Group (TEG) and of proposed subdivisions by the Subdivision Evaluation Group (SEG) ensures that proposed and existing commercial development complies with all County ordinances and State regulations. The TEG/SEG members review and provide comments throughout the 3-Step Development Review Process on proposed site plans, revisions to commercial site plans, proposed subdivisions, and existing subdivisions, within the time guidelines of the Site Plan and Subdivision Process Chart. (see link below).
Agencies who participate in the reviews of proposed and revised site plans, subdivisions and plats include staff from the Department of Planning & Zoning, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Public Safety, the Soil Conservation District, the Department of Environmental Health, the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative or BGE, the Maryland State Highway Administration, County Transportation, Parks & Recreation, and the Department of Economic Development.
Development Review Process Charts
Charts depicting the 3 steps of the Site Plan and Subdivision process can be found at the link below.
Necessary forms, applications, and instructional documents for Site Plans, Subdivisions, Final Plats, Redlines, Administrative Plats (aka Replats) can be found on the Planning & Zoning Development Review Forms webpage and any applicable fees that may be incurred when submitting these projects for consideration and review can be found on the Planning & Zoning Fees webpage.
---------------------------------------------------------- New Planning Application Online Portal
If you don't have an account and would like to register, please view a brief guide on creating an Encompass account.
If you are an applicant, you can log in to your account and track all projects and applications associated with your profile from your dashboard.
If you don't have an account, you can still use the portal to search for projects by either the project number of the address of the property.
Application Status Lookup
Search for a project currently under review: The portal allows you to search by either the permit number or the address of the property and then clicking on "Search" on the main page of the portal to view the project's status.
The Planning Application Online Portal is to be used for submitting NEW Site Plan, Subdivision & Administrative Plat projects
Projects that were assigned project numbers prior to November 10, 2025 will continue to be submitted via the previous process (electronically via email and secure server link with in-person payments) until advised otherwise.
Click "Submit an Application" at the top of the portal page.
Expand the "Planning Applications NEW" section and select application type.
Step-by-Step instructions for submitting your application are provided in the first section on the Application Information page. Scroll thru and read the process carefully before beginning your application. Instructions may be printed if so desired for easier reading.
Fees pertaining to the applications are also paid through the portal via eCheck and credit cards.
At the conclusion of each review cycle, responses to reviewers comments are addressed and revised plans are uploaded and resubmitted through the online portal.
Upon final approval of the Site Plans or Plats the approved documents can be accessed and downloaded from the portal to be used for the Permit Application Process for the Department of Inspections & Permits, which can also be done via the Permitting portion of the encompass portal.