Environmental Rules in Queen Anne's County, MD (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland, no one can develop land for residential, commercial, industrial or institutional use without stormwater management measures built under an approved plan. Environmental site design to the maximum extent practicable comes first, development disturbing 5,000 square feet or less is exempt, and violations are misdemeanors with fines up to $5,000.
Queen Anne's County Stormwater Management Requirements
Significant RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 14:4-7
§ 14:4-7. Scope. No person shall develop any land for residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional uses without providing stormwater management measures that control or manage runoff from such developments, except as henceforth provided. Stormwater management measures must be designed consistent with the Design Manual and constructed according to an approved stormwater management plan....
Erosion Control
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland, no one can clear or grade land without an erosion and sediment control plan approved by the Soil Conservation Service, and the Department of Planning and Zoning cannot issue a grading or building permit before that approval exists. Work disturbing under 5,000 square feet and under 100 cubic yards is exempt, and violations carry up to $1,000 and 90 days per offense.
Queen Anne's County Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 14:2-6
§ 14:2-3. Applicability. ... B. Exemptions. ... This Chapter 14:2 does not apply to: ... (2) Single-family residences or their accessory buildings on lots of two acres or more; (3) Clearing or grading activities that disturb less than 5,000 square feet of land area and disturb less than 100 cubic yards of earth; or ... § 14:2-6. Approved plan required. A. In general. A person may not clear or g...
Flood Zones
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland, anyone who wants to fill, grade, build, substantially improve a building, place a manufactured home or alter a watercourse in a flood hazard area must first obtain a County permit under Chapter 14:3. The Director of Public Works acts as Floodplain Administrator, and violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to $1,000 and 90 days.
Queen Anne's County Floodplain Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 14:3-18
§ 14:3-18. Permits required; expiration. A. 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 § 14:3-5, including but not limited to: filling; grading; construction of new structures; the substantial improvement of buildings or structures, including repair of substantial ...
Boat Dock Permits
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, a private pier is not allowed as an accessory structure except on a residential lot with a minimum of 150 feet of water frontage or one of the other qualifying lot types in § 18:1-42, and it cannot be built within six feet of any side or front lot line.
Queen Anne's County Private Pier and Dock Rules
Significant RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 18:1-42
A. In general. ... Except as provided in Subsection B, a pier may not be: (1) Allowed as an accessory use or structure; or (2) Constructed on a residential lot in a subdivision approved after June 29, 1988, that was approved on the basis of a plat that included a community pier. B. When permitted. One pier is permitted as an accessory use or structure on a residential lot that: (1) Has a minimu...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland, the flood protection elevation is the base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard. New and substantially improved residential buildings in A Zones must set the lowest floor at or above that elevation or an elevation of seven feet, whichever is greater, and nonresidential buildings must meet the flood protection elevation or be dry floodproofed.
Queen Anne's County Flood Elevation and Freeboard Rules
Some RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 14:3-41
FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION The base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard, also sometimes referred to as "designated flood elevation" or "DFE." ... § 14:3-41. ... Residential structures and residential portions of mixed-use structures. ... A. Elevation requirements. (1) Lowest floors shall be elevated to or above the flood protection elevation, or an elevation of seven feet, whichever is g...
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