Environmental Rules in Howard County, MD (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Howard County Code § 18.502 makes it unlawful to discharge any pollutant into a storm drain or waterway, or to build or keep an illicit connection into the storm drainage system. The Director of Public Works can order violators to stop, and the County can seek a court order for entry, repairs, and cost recovery if a violator refuses.
Howard County Bans Illicit Stormwater Discharges
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 18.502
(a)Prohibited Discharges. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person shall not discharge or cause or allow to be discharged any pollutant or nonstormwater discharge into a storm drainage facility or waterway which shall contaminate or otherwise alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties of any water conveyed to a storm drainage facility including, without limitat...
Erosion Control
Howard County requires a grading permit from the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits before anyone clears or grades land, and the county won't issue that permit until an erosion and sediment control plan for the site has been reviewed and approved. Small residential lots and minor disturbances under specific size thresholds are exempt.
Howard County: Grading Permit Needed to Clear Land
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 3.402 (Grading permit)
(a)Permit Required. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not clear or grade land in Howard County without a grading permit from the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits. Before a grading permit for any site is issued, the County shall review and approve a final erosion and sediment control plan for the site.(b)Exemptions. The following activities are exe...
Flood Zones
No one may fill, grade, build, or place a manufactured home within, partially within, or touching a special flood hazard area in Howard County without a permit. County Code Section 16.706 routes every such project through the Floodplain Administrator, the Director of Public Works, and requires construction to start within 180 days of permit issuance.
Howard County Requires Permits in Flood Hazard Areas
Significant RestrictionsHoward County Code § 16.706(a),(c) (Permits)
(a)Permits Required. A person shall not begin any development or construction which is wholly within, partially within, or in contact with any flood hazard area established in section 16.703 of this subtitle, 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...
Boat Dock Permits
Howard County bans new residential and commercial construction inside a designated floodplain, but carves out a specific exception for piers, open pier structures, and open decks approved by the Department of Public Works (DPW). Anyone building a private dock along the Patapsco or Patuxent watershed must secure that DPW sign-off before work begins, even though the site otherwise sits inside a no-build zone.
Howard County: Piers in Floodplains Need DPW Approval
Some RestrictionsHoward County Building Code § 3115.2.1 (Exception 2)
3115.2.1 New construction. New residential or nonresidential construction shall not occur within a designated floodplain. ... Exception 2: Transportation networks, utility installations, piers, open pier structures, and open decks approved by the Department of Public Works. Streets, sidewalks, pathways, and utility systems in accordance with the Howard County Design Manual and all other applica...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Substantially improved homes and buildings in a Howard County floodplain must raise their lowest floor, including any basement, at least 2 feet above the 100-year flood elevation. Building Code Section 3115.3.1 sets that freeboard for residential structures, and Section 3115.3.2 lets nonresidential buildings floodproof instead, if every point below that elevation is watertight.
Howard County Requires 2-Foot Flood Freeboard
Heavy RestrictionsHoward County Building Code § 3115.3.1, § 3115.3.2 (Floodplain)
3115.3 Substantial improvements within a designated floodplain shall meet the standards set forth in this subsection and Title 16, Subtitle 7 of the Howard County Code. 3115.3.1. Residential. The lowest floor, including a basement, of substantial improvements to existing nonconforming residential structures located within a designated floodplain shall be elevated to at least 2 feet above the 10...
All Howard County ordinances
See every category we cover for Howard County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Howard County Ordinance Hub →