Allegany County, MD Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Allegany County adopted its current floodplain ordinance, Chapter 325, on January 16, 2020 under Bill No. 3-19, effective April 3, 2020, replacing the 1991 version, to keep the county's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program dating back to February 18, 1981. Section 325-3D(1) states plainly that it is unlawful to "begin any development or construction which is wholly within, partially within, or in contact with any flood hazard area," listing filling, grading, new construction, substantial improvement of existing buildings, placement or replacement of manufactured homes, temporary structures, and alteration of a watercourse as covered activities, "until a permit is obtained from Allegany County." The floodplain administrator will not issue that permit until the applicant meets the standards spelled out in the rest of Chapter 325.

Under § 325-3D(2), work in nontidal waters of the state may also need a separate permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment under COMAR 26.17.04, but a county permit is still required in addition to any state sign-off. Applications go through the floodplain administrator under § 325-3E, and must include site plans, existing ground elevations, and delineation of the special flood hazard area, floodway and base flood elevations before work can begin. Once issued, a floodplain development permit under § 325-3D(3) is only valid if construction actually starts within 180 days, though the floodplain administrator can grant extensions of up to 90 days at a time.

Building without this permit is enforced under § 325-8, and the county can pursue civil or criminal remedies for unpermitted development in a mapped flood hazard area.