Maryland Code, Land Use § 4-205

(a) A legislative body may authorize the planning director or another designee to grant an administrative adjustment from the following requirements in a zoning law enacted by the legislative body:

(b) Before developing criteria and procedures for administrative adjustments under this section, the legislative body shall:

(c) The criteria for an administrative adjustment shall include:

(d) Procedures for administrative adjustments may address:

(e) A decision on an application for an administrative adjustment shall include written findings of fact and conclusions of law.

(f) By enacting a local law or adopting a procedure, a legislative body may authorize the appeal to the board of appeals of a decision to approve or deny an administrative adjustment.

(g) Nothing in this section is intended to authorize a local jurisdiction to allow an administrative adjustment to State or local requirements that are intended to protect environmentally sensitive areas such as streams, slopes, wetlands, natural heritage areas, or critical areas.