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

Article 5, Section 5.1 (Scope) of the county's Stormwater Management, Grading, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance flatly prohibits disturbing land without implementing controls that meet the Ordinance and the 2011 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control. Section 5.4.1.A backs this with a permitting requirement: "A person may not grade land without an erosion and sediment control plan approved by the District," meaning the Washington County Soil Conservation District, referred to throughout as "the District." The District reviews plans under Section 5.4.1.B for compliance with the Article, COMAR 26.17.01 and the 2011 Standards and Specifications before approval, and can attach conditions necessary to protect public health and safety.

Concept plans must map natural resources and sensitive areas, including highly erodible soils and slopes greater than 15 percent (Section 5.4.1.D), and site development plans must show how erosion controls integrate with stormwater management practices through a narrative and overlay plan (Section 5.4.1.E). Section 5.2 carves out three exemptions: agricultural land management practices and structures; clearing or grading disturbing less than 5,000 square feet and less than 100 cubic yards of earth; and activities regulated exclusively by the State. Section 5.3 allows the District to grant a variance from the 2011 Standards and Specifications only for exceptional circumstances causing hardship, on a written request describing the site's unique conditions.