Maryland HB1137: Residential-in-Commercial-Zone Laws - Study (Bring Back Main Street Act)

What the bill says

An act concerning Land Use - Multifamily Developments and Mixed-Use Developments - Authorization Residential-in-Commercial-Zone Laws - Study (Bring Back Main Street Act) FOR the purpose of requiring certain counties to allow multifamily developments and mixed-use developments as a permitted use on certain parcels or lots; prohibiting certain counties from imposing certain restrictions, requirements, or limitations on permitted developments…

From the enrolled text, June 3, 2026:

AN ACT concerning Land Use - Multifamily Developments and Mixed-Use Developments - Authorization Residential-in-Commercial-Zone Laws - Study (Bring Back Main Street Act) FOR the purpose of requiring certain counties to allow multifamily developments and mixed-use developments as a permitted use on certain parcels or lots; prohibiting certain counties from imposing certain restrictions, requirements, or limitations on permitted developments; authorizing certain counties to require a permitted development to have a certain percentage of available floor space dedicated to retail uses and to include on-site parking; prohibiting a restriction on use from imposing or acting to impose certain limitations on the development of a multifamily development or mixed-use development; and generally relating to multifamily developments and mixed-use developments requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development to study and make recommendations regarding laws to require certain local jurisdictions to allow certain residential or mixed-use developments as a permitted use on certain parcels or lots zoned for commercial use; and generally relating to residential-in-commercial-zone laws. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Land Use Section 1-101(a) and (b) and 7-501(a), (b), (c), (d), and (i) Annotated Code of Maryland (2012 Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Land Use Section 1-401 and 10-103 Annotated Code of Maryland (2012 Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Nick Allen (D, 8) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 26, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 726
2. April 8, 2026: Returned Passed
3. April 8, 2026: Third Reading Passed (43-0)
4. April 3, 2026: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
5. April 2, 2026: Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
6. March 23, 2026: Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
7. March 23, 2026: Third Reading Passed (101-35)
8. March 21, 2026: Second Reading Passed with Amendments
9. March 21, 2026: Favorable with Amendments {103524/1 Adopted
10. March 21, 2026: Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters

Votes

• Third Reading Passed (43-0) (April 8, 2026): 43 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Third Reading Passed (101-35) (March 23, 2026): 101 yea, 35 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1137?

HB1137 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Residential-in-Commercial-Zone Laws - Study (Bring Back Main Street Act).

What does HB1137 do?

In its own words: An act concerning Land Use - Multifamily Developments and Mixed-Use Developments - Authorization Residential-in-Commercial-Zone Laws - Study (Bring Back Main Street Act) FOR the purpose of requiring certain counties to allow multifamily developments and mixed-use developments as a permitted use on certain parcels or lots; prohibiting certain counties from imposing certain restrictions, requirements, or limitations on permitted developments…

What is the status of HB1137?

Signed into law as of May 26, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 726 (May 26, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1137?

Nick Allen (D, 8).

Where is the official record for HB1137?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1137?ys=2026RS