Charles County, MD Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

01, the 2011 Maryland Standards and Specifications, and the Stormwater Management Act of 2007. Section 244-1 states the chapter applies "to all grading occurring within the unincorporated area of Charles County, Maryland" and splits enforcement: the Department of Planning and Growth Management coordinates the grading provisions, while the Maryland Department of the Environment or its designated county agency (the Charles Soil Conservation District) coordinates the erosion and sediment control provisions. Before a development services permit issues, an applicant must submit an approved sediment and erosion control plan, grading plans, the grading fee set in Appendix A, and meet bonding requirements (§§ 244-7, 244-9, 244-19, 244-22).

Small disturbances are exempt from the permit under § 244-20: grading that disturbs less than 5,000 square feet, is under four feet deep, moves less than 100 cubic yards, and does not affect drainage or create an erosion hazard, plus single-family home construction under a valid building permit. Plans must meet grading-unit limits (typically 20 acres) and the code's standard stabilization note requiring temporary or permanent stabilization within three calendar days on steep or perimeter slopes and seven calendar days on other disturbed areas (§ 244-7). District plan approval is valid for two years from the approval date.