Landscaping Rules in Carroll County, MD (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Carroll County, Maryland.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Carroll County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Before cutting, clearing, or grading forest on a covered Carroll County project, developers must get a Forest Conservation Plan approved. Section 150.05(C)(1) bars disturbance until the county signs off, and cleared forest must be replaced acre-for-acre under Section 150.07(C)(1).

Carroll County Forest Conservation Permit Rule

Significant Restrictions

Carroll County Code of Ordinances § 150.05(C)

(C) Enforcement Provisions. (1) If a FCP is required by this chapter, a person may not cut, clear, or grade until the county has approved the FCP. (2) Any person who fails to limit disturbance to the limits-of-disturbance delineated on the FCP shall be in violation of this chapter. (3) The FCP may not be amended without approval from the county.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Weed Ordinances

Carroll County treats weeds or lawn at or above 12 inches as a public nuisance under Code of Ordinances § 3-106. The County Health Officer investigates complaints and can order abatement after 15 days' notice to the owner or occupant.

Carroll County Weed Height Limit

Some Restrictions

Carroll County Code of Ordinances § 3-106(g)

If for any reason the County Health Officer refuses or fails to investigate a complaint of nuisance due to the growth of weeds, the County may investigate the complaint and may, on a determination that the vegetation is lawn or weeds and is at or exceeds a height of 12 inches, determine the growth to be weeds which constitute a nuisance under the provisions of this section.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Rainwater Harvesting

Carroll County doesn't license a backyard rain barrel, but its stormwater code names rainwater harvesting as an approved way to meet development stormwater rules. Section 151.036 lists it as a recognized "microscale" practice, and the chapter reaches only the unincorporated county, not towns like Westminster with their own programs.

Carroll County Rainwater Harvesting Stormwater Rule

Light Restrictions

Carroll County Code of Ordinances § 151.036

(b) Microscale (nonstructural). Microscale practices may only be applied to manage the drainage from limited amounts of impervious surfaces. The Manual and Supplement list the restrictions on their use in the county. 1. Swales; 2. Landscape infiltration; 3. Micro-bioretention; 4. Rain gardens; 5. Enhanced filters for divisions (B)(2)(b)3 and (B)(2)(b)4 above; 6. Rainwater harvesting; 7. Subme...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Carroll County ordinances

See every category we cover for Carroll County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Carroll County Ordinance Hub →