2026 Update to the Comprehensive Plan
The comprehensive planning process determines community goals, aspirations, development, and preservation.
The Comprehensive Plan guides public policy for many complex issues including land use, transportation, extension of utilities and public services, preservation, use, and protection of natural resources, development, tourism, and community design, among many others. The Comprehensive Plan covers the entire County and addresses a broad range of topics and long-term goals.
This year, Planning and Zoning will be leading an update to the Comprehensive Plan. The update is expected to be completed by 2026.
Throughout this process, the team will call on the community to receive feedback about the future of Talbot County. Your ideas will help shape how we grow, live, work, and play!
The Update the Comprehensive Planning process is expected to last through 2026. See the timeline below to get an idea of the whole process!
Follow along for updates. ⬇️⬇️
The comprehensive planning process determines community goals, aspirations, development, and preservation.
The Comprehensive Plan guides public policy for many complex issues including land use, transportation, extension of utilities and public services, preservation, use, and protection of natural resources, development, tourism, and community design, among many others. The Comprehensive Plan covers the entire County and addresses a broad range of topics and long-term goals.
This year, Planning and Zoning will be leading an update to the Comprehensive Plan. The update is expected to be completed by 2026.
Throughout this process, the team will call on the community to receive feedback about the future of Talbot County. Your ideas will help shape how we grow, live, work, and play!
The Update the Comprehensive Planning process is expected to last through 2026. See the timeline below to get an idea of the whole process!
Follow along for updates. ⬇️⬇️
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Review the Community Survey Results with Planning and Zoning
Share Review the Community Survey Results with Planning and Zoning on Facebook Share Review the Community Survey Results with Planning and Zoning on Twitter Share Review the Community Survey Results with Planning and Zoning on Linkedin Email Review the Community Survey Results with Planning and Zoning linkJoin the Planning Commission on July 2nd (meeting starts at 9 a.m., but presentation is not first agenda item) in the Bradley Meeting Room at the Talbot County Courthouse (11 N Washington Street, Easton, MD 21601) for a presentation on the 2026 Update to the Comprehensive Plan Community Survey Results.
Staff and consultants will share a summary of the feedback received through the community survey and provide an update on how this input will inform the next phases of the Comprehensive Plan Update.
Please note: This is a presentation only.
Additional opportunities to share feedback will be available at future Listening Sessions and Work Sessions, which will highlighted on the 2026 Update to the Comprehensive Plan page. Written comments can also be submitted at any time to CompPlanComments@talbgov.org.
For those who cannot attend in person, you can follow along on the live stream or watch the meeting afterward here:
https://talbotcountymd.gov/meetings -
Project Timeline Progress
Share Project Timeline Progress on Facebook Share Project Timeline Progress on Twitter Share Project Timeline Progress on Linkedin Email Project Timeline Progress linkThe 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update is just getting started, and we’re grateful to everyone who has participated so far. Here’s a look at where we are in the process and what’s coming next:
April 25, 2025: We launched our Community Survey to gather input from residents about the issues and priorities that matter most. Your feedback is helping to shape the foundation of this plan.
June 4, 2025: Staff and Consultants (Wallace Montgomery) presented the plan’s proposed timeline and process to the Talbot County Planning Commission.
June 2025 – October 2026: The Steering Committee will begin meeting monthly to identify specific focus areas for the update.
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Public Hearings and Listening Sessions are scheduled throughout the process, including:
August 2025
November 2025
March 2026
July 2026
(Specific dates and locations will be announced.)
Looking ahead:
June 2026: The Steering Committee will present a final draft of the updated Comprehensive Plan to the Planning Commission.
July 2026: The plan will enter the State of Maryland’s 60-day review period.
August–September 2026: County staff will review comments from the State, make any necessary revisions, and prepare the final version for County Council review.
October 2026: The Talbot County Council is expected to enact the 2026 Update to the Comprehensive Plan.
We invite you to stay involved and continue sharing your voice as the process moves forward. For more updates and opportunities to participate, check back regularly, and sign up to receive updates(External link).
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Kickoff Meeting Scheduled for June 4th
Share Kickoff Meeting Scheduled for June 4th on Facebook Share Kickoff Meeting Scheduled for June 4th on Twitter Share Kickoff Meeting Scheduled for June 4th on Linkedin Email Kickoff Meeting Scheduled for June 4th linkJoin us on June 4th at 10:30 am in the Bradley Meeting Room at the Talbot County Courthouse (11 N Washington Street, Easton, MD 21601) for our 2026 Update to the Comprehensive Plan Kickoff Meeting.
Consultants Wallace Montgomery will be in attendance to do a presentation on the Comprehensive Planning Process and the next steps moving forward with the Comprehensive Plan Update. The agenda for the meeting can be found here: https://talbotcountymd.gov/meetings. Public Comment will be limited to questions related to the Comprehensive Plan process itself.
Additional public comment will be welcomed at future Listening Sessions and Work Sessions which will be scheduled and advertised on the 2026 Update to the Comprehensive Plan page. Written comments can also be submitted to CompPlanComments@talbgov.org.
For those that cannot attend the Kickoff Meeting follow along on the live stream or watch the meeting after here: https://talbotcountymd.gov/meetings
Reminder, Comprehensive Plan Community Outreach Survey is open until June 18, 2025. /The survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B83RG3X
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What’s the difference?
Share What’s the difference? on Facebook Share What’s the difference? on Twitter Share What’s the difference? on Linkedin Email What’s the difference? linkDid you know? Talbot County is currently working on two major planning efforts, and while they’re both important, they serve different purposes:
The 2026 Update to the Comprehensive Plan is a long-term guide for land use, growth, housing, infrastructure, and environmental planning. It’s a roadmap for how the County will develop over the next 20+ years. Learn more ➜ https://engage.talbotcountymd.gov/compplan
The Economic Development and Tourism Strategic Plan focuses specifically on boosting our local economy and tourism industry. It outlines short- and mid-term goals to support businesses, attract visitors, and strengthen our workforce. Learn more ➜ https://www.talbotworks.org/strategic-plan/
Both plans are informed by community input—but they tackle different parts of Talbot County’s future!
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Community Survey Now Available
Share Community Survey Now Available on Facebook Share Community Survey Now Available on Twitter Share Community Survey Now Available on Linkedin Email Community Survey Now Available linkTalbot County is inviting residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to take part in shaping the County’s future by completing a new community survey. The survey is part of the County’s update to its Comprehensive Plan, a guiding document that will set priorities for growth, development, and conservation over the next two decades.
"The Comprehensive Plan belongs to the people of Talbot County," said Brennan Tarleton, Talbot County Planning Officer. "Public feedback is vital to ensure that the Plan reflects the community’s vision and addresses real needs."
The Comprehensive Plan will influence land use, housing, transportation, parks, recreation, natural resources, and more. The County is seeking input from people of all ages and backgrounds to help shape a shared vision for the future.
The survey is available online at Talbot County 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update - Community Feedback Survey and will remain open through May 23rd. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
For more information about the Comprehensive Plan process and upcoming engagement opportunities, visit 2026 Update to the Comprehensive Plan | Engage Talbot County.
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Key Dates
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April 25 2025
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June 04 2025
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June → October 2025
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August 2025 → July 2026
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June 2026