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

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Washington County, MD, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Governing section: Floodplain Ordinance § 3.4(A)
Permit validity: 1 year; work must start within 180 days
Extensions: Up to 90 days each, in writing
State overlay: MDE COMAR 26.17.04 nontidal waters
Max fine: $1,000 per day, Sec. 8.3
Effective date: August 15, 2017

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Washington County, MD.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Washington County, MD on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

Washington County bans any filling, grading, new construction, substantial improvement or manufactured-home work within a mapped flood hazard area until a county floodplain permit is obtained, and MDE approval may also be required for state-regulated nontidal waters.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Washington County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

It shall be unlawful for any person to begin any development or construction which is wholly within, partially within, or in contact with any flood hazard area established in Section 1.5, including but not limited to: filling; grading; construction of new structures; the substantial improvement of buildings or structures, including repair of substantial damage; replacement of manufactured homes, including substantial improvement or repair of substantial damage of manufactured homes; erecting or installing a temporary structure, or alteration of a watercourse, until a permit is obtained from Washington County. No such permit shall be issued until the requirements of these regulations have been met.

View official code

Full Breakdown

5, without first getting a permit from Washington County; no permit issues until the ordinance's requirements are met. The list of covered activity is broad: filling, grading, construction of new structures, substantial improvement of existing buildings (including repair of substantial damage), replacement of manufactured homes, erecting temporary structures, and alteration of a watercourse. 04, and a county permit is required in addition to any state permit. 4(C); the Floodplain Administrator may grant one or more 90-day extensions in writing if there has been no change to the underlying flood hazard mapping.

5 requires a detailed application: scaled site plans, existing ground elevation, delineation of flood hazard boundaries and base flood elevations, and, for larger subdivisions of at least 5 lots or 5 acres in areas lacking mapped base flood elevations, an engineering determination of those elevations. The ordinance was adopted May 16, 2017, effective August 15, 2017, and is administered by the county's Floodplain Administrator under authority tied to the county's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program since May 1, 1978.

Violations & Fines

Failing to obtain a required permit or violating any permit or variance condition is a misdemeanor under Section 8.3, punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, with each day a violation continues treated as a separate offense. The Floodplain Administrator must first issue a written notice of violation or stop-work order under Section 8.2 identifying the violated sections, ordering remedial action, and advising the recipient of appeal rights; the county can also pursue any other lawful remedy under Section 8.1(B) and (C) regardless of the criminal penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill or grade land in a Washington County flood hazard area without a permit?

No. Section 3.4(A) makes it unlawful to begin any filling, grading, new construction or substantial improvement wholly or partially within a mapped flood hazard area until a county floodplain permit is issued, and no permit issues until the ordinance's requirements are met.

Do I need a state permit too?

Possibly. Section 3.4(B) advises applicants in nontidal waters of the state to contact the Maryland Department of the Environment, which separately regulates the 100-year floodplain under COMAR 26.17.04; a county permit is still required regardless of any MDE approval.

How long is a Washington County floodplain permit good for?

One year from issuance, provided actual work starts within 180 days, under Section 3.4(C). The Floodplain Administrator can grant one or more written extensions of up to 90 days each if the underlying flood mapping has not changed.

Sources & Official References

[1]Washington County Floodplain Management Ordinance

Other rules in Washington County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSignificant Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesLight Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Washington County rules

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