Baltimore enforces rigorous stormwater management requirements under its City Code Article 7 and Maryland's Chesapeake Bay restoration mandates, requiring Environmental Site Design (ESD) to the maximum extent practicable for all development projects disturbing land.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) oversees stormwater management for all land-disturbing activities. Projects disturbing 5,000 sq ft or more of land require approved stormwater management plans before permits are issued. Baltimore participates in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program. The city requires Environmental Site Design (ESD) practices as the primary stormwater management approach, consistent with Maryland stormwater design manual standards. Impervious surface fees apply to developed properties to fund stormwater infrastructure. The stormwater utility fee is assessed based on the amount of impervious surface on a property.
Failure to comply with stormwater management requirements can result in stop-work orders on construction projects, fines up to $10,000 per day per violation, and denial or revocation of building permits. The city may also require restoration of disturbed areas at the property owner's expense.
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See how Baltimore's stormwater management rules stack up against other locations.
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