Landscaping Rules in Queen Anne's County, MD (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, § 14:1-51 bars removing natural vegetation in the Critical Area Buffer and allows only limited cutting of individual trees for listed purposes under an approved Buffer management plan. Development clearing is capped and replaced at set ratios, and trees in County road rights-of-way need a Public Works permit.
Queen Anne's County Tree Removal and Cutting Rules
Significant RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 14:1-51
§ 14:1-51. Buffer standards and requirements. ... B. Removal of vegetation; cutting or clearing of trees. (1) Except as provided in § 14:1-22 of this Chapter 14:1, Article X of this Part 6 of this Chapter 14:1 and § 14:1-53 of this Chapter 14:1, no natural vegetation shall be removed nor shall the slope of the land surface be altered in the Buffer. (2) Limited cutting or clearing of individual ...
Weed Ordinances
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland, no vegetation can grow higher than 12 inches on a lot or parcel under three acres that sits in an approved or recorded residential subdivision or has any part within 200 feet of a neighboring residence. Trees, crops, farmland and mandated natural areas are exempt. Failure to abate is a $25 to $500 civil infraction.
Queen Anne's County 12-Inch Vegetation Height Limit
Some RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 19-2(L) and § 19-7(A)
L. Height of vegetation. (1) This subsection does not apply to: (a) Trees, cultivated crops or cultivated ornamental shrubbery or plants; (b) Lots or parcels of land devoted to a bona fide agricultural use or designated by any governmental agency as a wildlife preserve, official wetlands or forests; or (c) Areas required to be maintained in a natural vegetative state by any governmental agency....
Composting
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland, the household waste rules do not prohibit or prevent bona fide composting of organic material, including household organic materials, by any owner or occupant. The same section requires closed, rodent and fly proof containers for household waste, and a violation draws a civil fine of $100, $250 or $1,000.
Queen Anne's County Household Composting Rules
Light RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 19-3(C)-(F)
C. All household waste in Queen Anne's County shall be stored in closed containers which are rodent and fly proof and which are securely sealed to prevent accidental spillage or infestation. ... D. No household waste in Queen Anne's County shall be allowed to accumulate for more than two weeks before the same is properly disposed of by transportation to an approved sanitary landfill. Notwithsta...
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