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The gears are now turning to produce the next Harford County Master Plan.

June 18, 2026

Harford County Government has hired and started working with a consulting group to engage with the public over the next 8-10 months to help inform the next Harford County Master Plan. Also known as ‘comprehensive plans’, these substantial documents, produced about every ten years, guide land use, housing, infrastructure, transportation and more.

Known in the 2016 iteration as “HarfordNEXT,” the updated plan will be renamed and tentatively includes eight focus areas: 1. Housing Affordability; 2. Transportation & Mobility; 3. Water Resources & Climate Resilience; 4. Economic Development; 5. Strong Communities; 6. Public Safety; 7. Agricultural Preservation; and, 8. Historic Preservation.

Master Plans spell out the manner in which a county must develop. They typically include a map showing proposed future land use and anticipated transportation and community facilities. Plans also contains policies for protecting environmental features and recommendations for amending local development-related ordinances in a manner that helps achieve the comprehensive plan’s objectives. They must also explain how the jurisdiction will provide water for development and address the handling of sewage treatment plant discharges. Master Plans have legal significance in that zoning, provision of water and sewer, and other local actions must be consistent with its recommendations.

A Harford County Master Plan website will be live soon. The site will serve as a informational hub, including an online survey and listing of in-person opportunities to provide citizen feedback.

We will keep you informed about the details of the plan as they arise through an ongoing series. Return to this article, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates.