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Wicomico 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 Wicomico 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

Permit required for: filling, grading, construction in flood hazard areas
Administering official: County Floodplain Administrator
Permit validity: work must start within 180 days
NFIP participation since: September 28, 1984
Max misdemeanor fine: $1,000, plus up to 30 days jail
Governing map: Flood Insurance Study dated 8-17-2015

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 Wicomico 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 Wicomico County, MD on the FEMA flood map

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

Summary

It's unlawful to build, fill, grade or place a manufactured home in a special flood hazard area of unincorporated Wicomico County without a floodplain development permit from the county under Chapter 149, on top of any state or federal approvals.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Wicomico 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 § 149-5, including but not limited to: filling; grading; construction of new structures; the substantial improvement of buildings or structures, including repair of substantial damage; placement or 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 Wicomico County, Maryland. No such permit shall be issued until the requirements of these regulations have been met. ... A person who does not comply with the conditions of a permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100 and not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 30 days, or both. Each day during which any violation of this chapter continues shall constitute a separate offense.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Wicomico County Code § 149-14A makes it unlawful to begin any development or construction wholly or partly within, or in contact with, a flood hazard area established under § 149-5, including filling, grading, new construction, substantial improvement, manufactured home placement or replacement, temporary structures, or watercourse alteration, until a county permit is obtained; no permit issues until the chapter's requirements are met. 04 (§ 149-14B). A permit is valid only if work actually starts within 180 days of issuance, though the Floodplain Administrator, the Director of Planning, Zoning and Community Development or a designee (§ 149-11), may grant extensions of up to 90 days each (§ 149-14C).

Applications must include scaled site plans, existing ground elevation, delineation of flood zones and setbacks, and for larger subdivisions or developments, base flood elevation determinations (§ 149-15). Wicomico County has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program since September 28, 1984, and all development since that date must comply with these regulations, which are based on the county's Flood Insurance Study dated August 17, 2015 and the accompanying FIRMs (§ 149-1B, § 149-5A). Where a conflict arises with other county ordinances, the more restrictive rule controls (§ 149-6).

Violations & Fines

A person who fails to obtain a required floodplain permit, or who does not comply with the conditions of one that was issued, is guilty of a misdemeanor under § 149-50A, punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000, imprisonment up to 30 days, or both; each day the violation continues is a separate offense, and further work must stop until the violation is corrected. The Floodplain Administrator can issue a written notice of violation or stop-work order listing the sections violated and the corrective deadline (§ 149-49), and the Federal Insurance Administrator must be notified within 30 days of any citation requiring a fine or court appearance; a structure that remains in violation can be denied new or renewed federal flood insurance (§ 149-50B).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a county permit to build in a Wicomico County flood zone?

Yes. Section 149-14A makes it unlawful to begin filling, grading, new construction or substantial improvement in a special flood hazard area without a permit from Wicomico County, in addition to any state MDE approval needed for nontidal waters.

How long is a Wicomico County floodplain permit good for?

Work must actually start within 180 days of issuance under § 149-14C; the Floodplain Administrator can grant extensions of up to 90 days at a time for justifiable cause.

What happens if I develop in the floodplain without a permit?

It's a misdemeanor under § 149-50A carrying a fine of $100 to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense, and further work on the project must stop.

Which map determines whether my property is in a flood hazard area?

Section 149-5A uses the Flood Insurance Study for Wicomico County dated August 17, 2015 and its accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps, kept on file at the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development, as the minimum basis for delineating special flood hazard areas.

Sources & Official References

[1]Code of Wicomico County, MD - Chapter 149 Floodplain Management

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All Wicomico County rules

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