Environmental Rules in Anne Arundel County, MD (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Anne Arundel County requires an approved stormwater management plan before any development that disturbs 5,000 or more square feet, enforced under Article 16, Title 4 of the County Code by the Department of Inspections and Permits.
Anne Arundel County Stormwater Management Rules
Some RestrictionsAnne Arundel County Code § 16-4-201(a)
A developer may not undertake any development or land disturbance that is subject to the provisions of this title without an approved stormwater management plan. (b) Preparation. A stormwater management plan shall be prepared by a design professional, according to the requirements of the State Code for the type of stormwater management plan required. (1) ESD Planning Techniques and...
Erosion Control
A grading permit from the Department of Inspections and Permits is required before clearing or grading any site in Anne Arundel County, unless the disturbed area is under 5,000 square feet.
Anne Arundel County Grading and Drainage Permits
Some RestrictionsAnne Arundel County Code § 16-3-201
(a) Approval required. Except as provided in subsection (b), a person may not: (1) grade without a grading permit issued by the Department;...(b) Exceptions. Approval is not required for clearing or grading associated with:...(5) disturbing less than 5,000 square feet of land unless prohibited by subsection (a)(2) of this section or other applicable State or federal law.
Flood Zones
Anne Arundel County bans basements, floodway construction, and fill placement in mapped flood hazard areas, and requires new structures to be elevated to the flood protection elevation under County Code Article 16.
Anne Arundel County Floodplain Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsAnne Arundel County Code § 16-2-202
Development may not occur in the floodplain if an alternative location for the development exists. ... Basements are prohibited. ... All residential development, manufactured homes and the placement of fill are prohibited in a floodway.
Boat Dock Permits
Private piers and boat docks in Anne Arundel County must sit at least 15 feet from side lot lines, extend no more than 300 feet, and limit mooring to four boats over 16 feet.
Anne Arundel County Boat Dock & Pier Rules
Some RestrictionsAnne Arundel County Code § 18-2-404
(b) Setbacks. A pier or mooring piling shall be located at least 15 feet from a lot line extended for a private pier or at least 25 feet from a lot line extended for all other piers. ... (e) Restrictions on mooring or docking. No person may use a private pier or mooring piling for the mooring or docking of watercraft other than the owner or occupant of the lot from which the pier extends... No ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New construction and substantial improvements in Anne Arundel County's floodplain district must have the lowest floor elevated to the flood protection elevation, the 100-year flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard, and basements are banned outright.
Anne Arundel County Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsAnne Arundel County Code § 16-2-202(c); § 16-1-101(45)
All structures, new construction, substantial improvements, and new habitable space shall have the lowest floor elevated to the flood protection elevation, except that: (1) an expansion that increases the footprint of a structure is not required to have the lowest floor elevated to the flood protection elevation if the expansion is the minimum necessary to correct violations of State or County ...
Environmental Rules by City in Anne Arundel County
1 cities in Anne Arundel County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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