Environmental Rules in Worcester County, MD (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, no one can develop land for residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional use without stormwater management measures that control runoff. Agricultural practices and developments that do not cumulatively disturb over five thousand square feet are exempt. The Department of Development Review and Permitting enforces the ordinance for the County Commissioners.
Worcester County Stormwater Management Requirements
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § NR 1-104
(a) Scope. ... (3) 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 provided within this Subtitle. Stormwater management measures must be designed consistent with the Design Manual and constructed in accordance with the approved final st...
Erosion Control
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, no one can clear or grade land without an erosion and sediment control plan approved by the Worcester Soil Conservation District, unless the work is exempt. Clearing and grading that disturbs less than five thousand square feet of land and less than one hundred cubic yards of earth is exempt. Fines reach $10,000.00 per violation.
Worcester County Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § NR 1-206
(a) Review and approval of erosion and sediment control plans. (1) Unless exempt from the provisions of this Subtitle pursuant to the provisions of § NR 1-204 hereof, a person may not clear or grade land without first obtaining an erosion and sediment control plan approved by the District. (2) The District shall review the erosion and sediment control plans to determine compliance with this Sub...
Flood Zones
In Worcester County, Maryland, no one can begin filling, grading, new construction, a substantial improvement or any other development in or touching a flood hazard area until Worcester County issues a permit under § BR 2-303(d). The permit is valid only if work actually starts within one hundred eighty days of issuance.
Worcester County MD Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsWorcester County Code § BR 2-303
(d) Permits required and expiration. (1) 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 § BR 2-301(e), including but not limited to: filling; grading; construction of new structures; the substantial improvement of buildings and structures, including repair of substanti...
Boat Dock Permits
Anyone building a dock, pier or other waterfront structure on tidal shoreline in Worcester County, Maryland needs a shoreline construction permit under § NR 2-102 before work starts. A waterfront structure cannot extend into the water more than one-half the distance to the center line of the water body or one hundred twenty-five feet, whichever is less.
Worcester County MD Shoreline and Boat Dock Construction Permit
Significant RestrictionsWorcester County Code § NR 2-102
(b) Permits required. Except in the case of routine maintenance and repair, as defined, it shall be unlawful for any person to do any major or minor construction without first obtaining a shoreline construction permit as prescribed by this section and complying with all provisions thereof as well as resolutions and regulations adopted pursuant hereto in accordance with construction standards ad...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Worcester County, Maryland flood hazard A Zones, the lowest floor of a new or substantially improved residential building must be elevated to or above the flood protection elevation, which § BR 2-302 defines as the base flood elevation. In Zone AO shallow flooding, the floor must sit the mapped depth number plus two feet above the highest adjacent grade, or at least four feet if no depth number is shown.
Worcester County MD Flood Elevation Requirements
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § BR 2-305
(1) Elevation requirements. A. Lowest floors shall be elevated to or above the flood protection elevation. B. 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 Flood Insurance Rate Map plus two feet, or at least four feet if a depth number is not specified...
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