Environmental Rules in Washington County, MD (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Washington County requires stormwater management measures for any development disturbing 5,000 square feet or more of land under Article 3 of its Stormwater Management Ordinance. Developers must use environmental site design to the maximum extent practicable, and violations are misdemeanors carrying fines up to $10,000 plus possible civil penalties.
Stormwater Management Rules, Washington County MD
Some RestrictionsWashington County, MD Stormwater Management, Grading, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance, Art. 3, §§ 3.1.1, 3.5.1, 3.21
3.1.1. The following development activities are exempt from the provisions of this Article and the requirement of providing SWM: ... C. Developments that do not singularly or cumulatively disturb 5,000 square feet or more of total land area... 3.5.1.A. SWM plans for development projects subject to this Article shall be designed using ESD sizing criteria, recharge volume, water quality volume, a...
Erosion Control
Washington County bars land disturbance without approved erosion and sediment controls under its Stormwater Management, Grading, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance. A grading permit and District-approved erosion and sediment control plan are required before clearing or grading, with violations charged as misdemeanors carrying fines up to $10,000.
Erosion & Sediment Control, Washington County MD
Some RestrictionsWashington County, MD Stormwater Management, Grading, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance, Art. 5, §§ 5.1, 5.2, 5.4.1, 5.9
5.1. Scope. No person shall disturb land without implementing soil erosion and sediment controls in accordance with the requirements of this Ordinance and the 2011 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control except as provided within this Article. ... 5.4.1.A. A person may not grade land without an erosion and sediment control plan approved by the District.
Flood Zones
Washington County bans any filling, grading, new construction, substantial improvement or manufactured-home work within a mapped flood hazard area until a county floodplain permit is obtained, and MDE approval may also be required for state-regulated nontidal waters.
Washington County Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Floodplain Management Ordinance § 3.4(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 Section 1.5, including but not limited to: filling; grading; construction of new structures; the substantial improvement of buildings or structures, including repair of substantial damage; replacement of manufactured homes...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved residential structures in Washington County flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor elevated to or above the Flood Protection Elevation, which is defined as the base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard.
Washington County Flood Protection Elevation Rule
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Floodplain Management Ordinance §§ 2.0, 5.3(A)
Flood Protection Elevation or FPE: The base flood elevation plus one (1) foot of freeboard. (A) Elevation Requirements (1) Lowest floors shall be elevated to or above the flood protection elevation. (2) In areas of shallow flooding (Zone AO), the lowest floor (including basement) shall be elevated at least as high above the highest adjacent grade as the depth number specified in feet on the FI...
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