Environmental Rules in Wicomico County, MD (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Wicomico County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New development and redevelopment in unincorporated Wicomico County cannot get a grading or building permit without an approved stormwater management plan meeting the state Design Manual, plus recorded easements, a maintenance agreement and a performance bond where required.
Wicomico County Stormwater Management Permits
Significant RestrictionsWicomico County Code § 196-16
A grading or building permit may not be issued for any parcel or lot unless final erosion and sediment control has been approved by the SCD and stormwater management plans have been approved by the Wicomico County Department of Public Works as meeting all the requirements of the Design Manual and this chapter. Where appropriate, a building permit may not be issued without: A. Recorded easements...
Erosion Control
Grading more than 5,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards of earth in unincorporated Wicomico County requires an erosion and sediment control plan approved by the Wicomico County Soil Conservation District before work begins. Chapter 140 of the County Code sets minimum controls tied to Maryland's 2011 Erosion and Sediment Control Standards and Specifications, and violators face a misdemeanor fine of up to $10,000.
Erosion and Sediment Control in Wicomico County
Some RestrictionsWicomico County Code §§ 140-3, 140-4, 140-22
§ 140-3. Scope. No person shall disturb land without implementing soil erosion and sediment controls in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and the Standards and Specifications except as provided within § 140-4. § 140-4. Exemptions. The following activities are exempt from the provisions of this chapter: ... ... B. Clearing or grading activities that disturb less than 5,000 square ...
Flood Zones
It's unlawful to build, fill, grade or place a manufactured home in a special flood hazard area of unincorporated Wicomico County without a floodplain development permit from the county under Chapter 149, on top of any state or federal approvals.
Floodplain Development Permits in Wicomico County
Significant RestrictionsWicomico County Code §§ 149-14, 149-50
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 § 149-5, 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 replacement of manufactu...
Boat Dock Permits
In unincorporated Wicomico County, individual private piers, docks and boathouses are permitted in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Buffer under § 225-18 of the Critical Area chapter, but community piers serving a subdivision are capped by a density formula tied to shoreline length or lot count.
Boat Dock Rules, Wicomico County
Some RestrictionsWicomico County Code § 125-18
New water-dependent facilities must comply with the provisions for such facilities contained in the Wicomico County Critical Area Program. Insofar as possible, new buildings, structures, activities and facilities that are not water-dependent and that are permitted in the underlying zoning district shall be located outside of the Buffer, except as follows: ... Boathouses, community piers, indivi...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Wicomico County defines the flood protection elevation as the base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard, requires new and substantially improved residential lowest floors to reach that height, and makes electric panelboards sit at least three feet above the BFE.
Flood Elevation & Freeboard Rules in Wicomico County
Significant RestrictionsWicomico County Code §§ 149-10, 149-22, 149-34
FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION The base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard. ... F. Have the electric panelboard elevated at least three feet above the BFE. ... (1) Lowest floors shall be elevated to or above the flood protection elevation.
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