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

Cecil County Code § 312-10 requires a grading permit from the Department of Public Works before starting any development or activity that, in DPW's judgment, could introduce sediment into a watercourse, move 100 or more cubic yards of earth or disturb 5,000 or more square feet of land, or create undue erosion and sediment damage to nearby land or streams. No grading permit can issue without an erosion and sediment control plan already approved by the Cecil Soil Conservation District, and no building permit can issue without a valid grading permit unless the activity is exempt.

01, the 2011 Maryland Standards and Specifications and the Stormwater Management Act of 2007, and applies it to all land grading in the county. A grading permit runs one year from issuance under § 312-11, with one six-month extension available if requested a month before expiration. Fees for grading permits, reinstatements and inspections are set by County Council resolution under § 312-12. Section 312-16 requires the owner or developer to post a surety or cash bond, letter of credit, or other DPW-approved security equal to the cost of installing, maintaining and removing the approved erosion controls, waivable only for projects under $5,000, state or County-funded work, or standard plans for minor disturbances.

I. DPW can suspend or revoke a grading permit under § 312-13 for plan violations, noncompliance with a stop-work order, or changed site conditions, and must stop work outright wherever land disturbance occurs without an approved plan or active permit under § 312-21.