Parcels in Harford County that are zoned Agricultural (AG) have development potential based upon development rights. Development rights are calculated as the parcel was described in the land records as of February 8, 1977 whereby one development right or one residential lot is permitted on any parcel that is more than 20,000 square feet and less than 11 acres; two development rights or two residential lots are permitted on any parcel that is between 11 and 29 acres; and an additional development right or residential lot is permitted for each additional 10 acres in excess of 20 acres. Additional lots can be created for any member of the immediate family of the person(s) who were owners of record of the parcel as of February 8, 1977 and are still owners today.
Program modifications
The revised Harford County Zoning Code, as adopted in 2008, modified the TDR program to increase the options for farmers looking to transfer available development rights without decreasing their amount of farmland. The new changes also allow for the transfer of family conveyances. As specified in §267-53 of the Code, the changes allow development rights to be transferred not only to other parcels zoned AG but also to newly zoned Village Residential (VR) and Rural Residential (RR) parcels as determined by the County Council as of December 22, 2009 and designated on the most recently adopted land use map.