5 rules for unincorporated Harford County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
The Maryland Stormwater Management Act requires environmental site design to the maximum extent practicable on Harford County development. New construction needs an approved stormwater management plan that maintains predevelopment runoff before any grading permit issues.
Md. Code, Environment §4-203
Indicate that the primary goal of the State and local programs will be to maintain after development, as nearly as possible, the predevelopment runoff characteristics.
Maryland's erosion and sediment control law bars Harford County from issuing a grading or building permit until the developer submits a sediment control plan approved by the Harford Soil Conservation District. Silt controls stay in place until soil is stabilized.
Md. Code, Environment §4-103
A grading or building permit may not be issued until the developer: (i) Submits a grading and sediment control plan approved by the appropriate soil conservation district ... and certifies that all land clearing, construction, and development will be done under the plan.
Land within 1,000 feet of tidal water along Harford County's shore lies in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. Maryland's Critical Area law imposes a minimum buffer landward from the shoreline, limits lot coverage, and restricts development near Havre de Grace, Aberdeen, and Edgewood.
Md. Code, Natural Resources §8-1808
Requirements for minimum setbacks for structures and septic fields along shorelines, including the establishment of a minimum buffer landward from the mean high water line of tidal waters, tributary streams, and tidal wetlands.
Maryland requires a state permit to change the course or cross section of any nontidal stream or floodplain in Harford County. Every FEMA flood zone is also governed by the county's NFIP floodplain ordinance, which sets minimum elevation for new building.
Md. Code, Environment §5-503
A person shall obtain, on written application to the Department, a permit from the Department to: ... Change, in any manner, in whole or part the course, current, or cross section of any stream or body of water within the State, except tidal waters.
Grading and drainage in Harford County run through the Stormwater Management Act. A developer must demonstrate that environmental site design has been implemented to the maximum extent practicable, using structural best management practices only where absolutely necessary.
Md. Code, Environment §4-203
A developer to demonstrate that environmental site design has been implemented to the maximum extent practicable and standard best management practices have been used only where absolutely necessary.
See every category we cover for Harford County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Harford County Ordinance Hub →