Environmental Rules in Allegany County, MD (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Allegany County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Unincorporated Allegany County requires approved stormwater management plans for new and redevelopment projects under County Code § 360-49: no one may develop residential, commercial, industrial or institutional land without measures controlling runoff, unless the project is exempt. Plans must use environmental site design (ESD) to the maximum extent practicable under § 360-47, following the 2000 Maryland Stormwater Design Manual, before any structural best-management practice is considered.
Stormwater Management Rules in Allegany County
Some RestrictionsAllegany County Code §§ 360-47, 360-49
§ 360-47. Purpose and authority. ... A. The purpose of this Part 3 is to protect, maintain, and enhance the public health, safety, and general welfare by establishing minimum requirements and procedures that control the adverse impacts associated with increased stormwater runoff. The goal is to manage stormwater by using environmental site design (ESD) to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) to...
Erosion Control
In the unincorporated area of Allegany County, Maryland, grading and construction sites must meet numeric slope limits under County Code § 360-44: finished slopes can't exceed a 2:1 horizontal-to-vertical ratio, or 1:1 where bedrock is exposed, and building sites must sit on ground under 25% natural grade. Plans follow the state's COMAR 26.27.01 sediment control regulations, with the Soil Conservation District and Zoning Administrator reviewing and able to vary the standards for soil or rock conditions.
Erosion and Sediment Control Rules in Allegany County
Some RestrictionsAllegany County Code § 360-44
§ 360-44. General standards. A. All finished grading shall match as closely as possible the natural contour of adjacent undisturbed land. Finished slopes in unconsolidated materials should not exceed a ratio of 2:1, horizontal to vertical. Where bedrock is exposed, a slope ratio of 1:1 should not be exceeded. The Soil Conservation District may vary these slope standards, depending on soil or ro...
Flood Zones
In unincorporated Allegany County, County Code § 325-3D makes it unlawful to fill, grade, build, place a manufactured home, or alter a watercourse in any flood hazard area identified under § 325-1E without first getting a floodplain development permit. No permit can issue until the county's Chapter 325 floodplain standards are met.
Allegany County Flood Hazard Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsAllegany County Code § 325-3D
It shall be unlawful for any person to begin any development or construction which is wholly within, partially within, or in contact with any flood hazard area established in § 325-1E, including but not limited to filling; grading; construction of new structures; the substantial improvement of buildings or structures, including repair of substantial damage; placement or replacement of manufactu...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Unincorporated Allegany County requires new and substantially improved buildings in flood hazard areas to have their lowest floor at or above the flood protection elevation, defined in County Code § 325-2 as the base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard. Section 325-5D(1)(a) makes that elevation mandatory for residential structures.
Allegany County Flood Elevation and Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsAllegany County Code § 325-2; § 325-5D(1)(a)
FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION The base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard. Freeboard is a factor of safety that compensates for uncertainty in factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than the height calculated for a selected size flood and floodway conditions, such as wave action, obstructed bridge openings, debris and ice jams, climate change, and the hydrologic effect of u...
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