Cohen, JamesKnaap, GerritThis report provides an overview of planning and development control at the county level in the United States based on a case-study analysis of two counties in the Washington, DC metropolitan area: Montgomery County, Maryland, and Fairfax County, Virginia. The intent is not to provide an in-depth analysis of the differences between these two counties but instead to demonstrate general principles and procedures of county planning in the United States.en-USLand UseMarylandcounty planninggrowth managementsprawlSmart Growthcomprehensive planningArticle