UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

February 29, 2012

Date of Report

(Date of earliest event reported)

THE RYLAND GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (805) 367-3800

                                  Not Applicable                                  

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.03                                             Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

Effective February 29, 2012, in accordance with Section 7.07 of the Bylaws of The Ryland Group, Inc. (the “Bylaws”), the Board of Directors approved, at a meeting held on February 29, 2012, an Amendment to Section 2.03 of the Bylaws raising the maximum age to 72 at which a Director can no longer stand for election to the Board. Previously, the maximum age was 70. A copy of the Amendment is attached as an Exhibit to this filing on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01                                             Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)  Exhibits

Exhibit 3.1                                          Amendment of Bylaws

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

EXHIBIT INDEX