Queen Anne's County, MD Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Chapter 14:2 applies to all grading in the unincorporated area of Queen Anne's County, including Kent Island. Section 14:2-3 exempts four categories: agricultural land management practices and agricultural structures; single-family residences and their accessory buildings on lots of two acres or more; clearing or grading that disturbs less than 5,000 square feet of land area and less than 100 cubic yards of earth; and activities subject exclusively to state approval and enforcement. The Soil Conservation Service can grant a written variance from the Standards and Specifications when strict adherence causes unnecessary hardship, but only on a written request that states the specific variance sought and the reasons.

The applicant submits a letter of transmittal, a vicinity sketch showing the North arrow and scale, and a plan at an appropriate scale (§ 14:2-7). Under § 14:2-8 the plan must carry a stabilization statement: seven calendar days after initial soil disturbance for perimeter dikes, swales, ditches, perimeter slopes and all slopes greater than three horizontal to one vertical, and fourteen days for all other disturbed or graded areas. The plan also sets out a sequence of construction and a certification that responsible personnel hold training from a Department of the Environment approved program; the Soil Conservation Service can waive the training certification on projects of four or fewer residential units. The Service notifies the applicant of approval, disapproval or modification within 30 days, and an approved plan stays valid for two years unless renewed (§ 14:2-9).

Planning and Zoning cannot issue a grading or building permit before approval (§ 14:2-13). A permit expires two years after issuance, and a renewal application is due at least two months before expiration (§ 14:2-14). Planning and Zoning can require a surety or cash bond, irrevocable letter of credit or other security when it considers one necessary (§ 14:2-17), and can suspend or revoke a permit after written notice for violating the plan, ignoring a stop-work order, or changed site characteristics (§ 14:2-18). On sites with disturbed areas in excess of two acres, the permit holder must request inspection when perimeter controls are installed, before any other grading, and again at final stabilization before controls come out (§ 14:2-24). The approved plan must stay on site (§ 14:2-22).