The City of Camden announced steps towards the successful conclusion of its year long housing development moratorium, set to expire on September 30, 2025, following the implementation of comprehensive new development ordinances shaped by extensive community input.
The moratorium, enacted in September 2024 to address concerns over rapid development growth, has achieved its primary objective of providing time for thoughtful planning and community engagement. Nearly 1,000 (roughly 10% of the City’s population) Camden residents participated in workshops and surveys to shape the new regulations, ensuring every major community concern has been addressed in the updated ordinances.
The new ordinances implement significant improvements across multiple areas: Residential Development Standards, Environmental Protection, Infrastructure and Planning, and Expanding Housing Options While Maintaining Character. The new framework introduces diverse housing options tailored to community preferences: Cottage courts limited to 3 acres for small-scale, neighborhood-friendly development (aging in place initiative), Expanded accessory dwelling units supporting aging-in-place preferences, Downtown mixed-use opportunities converting existing buildings for multifamily housing, and Quality single-family homes with enhanced design standards.
Before the moratorium, Camden experienced uncontrolled development at triple the historical rate (92 houses per year versus the traditional 30), with R-6 zoning creating dense, small-lot developments lacking design standards or environmental protections. The new regulations transform this landscape with managed, quality-focused growth guided by community input.
The City Council will conduct the second reading of the new ordinances on September 30, 2025, coinciding with the moratorium’s expiration. The first reading took place on September 2, 2025, marking the culmination of a transparent year-long process. The new standards recognize that responsible growth provides essential tax base expansion to support city services while meeting housing needs. Rather than prohibiting development on properly zoned land, the regulations guide growth responsibly through enhanced standards and community character preservation.
City officials encourage residents to stay engaged by attending City Council meetings to see the new standards in action and supporting quality development initiatives that benefit the entire community. The comprehensive planning process demonstrates Camden’s commitment to community-driven governance and sets a model for balancing growth with character preservation in small cities facing development pressure.