Maryland Governor signs orders to expand modular housing and cut permitting delays

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed two executive orders designed to address the state’s housing shortage by expanding modular construction and streamlining the permitting process.

The “Housing Innovation” order establishes a Maryland Housing Innovation Incubator within the Department of Housing and Community Development, alongside an advisory council to research and recommend policy, regulatory, and budgetary actions. To promote cost-efficient building, the state is launching a Governor’s Initiative to Accelerate Modular Housing Construction, which includes modernizing regulations, creating pre-approved building plans, and establishing a Modular Workforce Partnership to develop training programs and apprenticeships. Additionally, the mandate of the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council will be expanded to link housing production with the repurposing of vacant properties.

A second executive order focuses on reducing administrative bottlenecks. It directs state agencies to identify and resolve delays in permitting, licensing, and certification to accelerate the transition of development projects from the planning stage to active construction.