Carroll County, MD Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Section 151.001(A) states the chapter's purpose is to protect, maintain, and enhance the public health, safety, and general welfare by establishing minimum requirements and procedures to control the adverse impacts associated with increased stormwater runoff, using environmental site design (ESD) to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) before resorting to structural best management practices. Section 151.001(B) applies the chapter to all development occurring within the unincorporated areas of the county and makes the county responsible for the coordination and enforcement of the chapter. The rule regulates four specific impacts under Section 151.001(C): overbank flood control, stream channel erosion, waterborne pollution, and groundwater recharge.

Before the Bureau of Resource Management, the chapter's approving agency, will issue a grading permit, Section 151.065(A) requires an approved stormwater management (SWM) plan, a recorded maintenance agreement under Section 151.111, and a security guaranty under Section 151.080. A nonrefundable review fee, set by county fee schedule under Section 151.066, is due when the concept plan or a waiver/exemption application is submitted, and all penalties and fees flow into the Stormwater Management Fund administered by the Comptroller under Section 151.067. The chapter incorporates the 2000 Maryland Stormwater Design Manual and the Carroll County Supplement to it by reference (Section 151.002). This rule applies only outside incorporated towns; Westminster, Taneytown, and Carroll's other municipalities administer their own stormwater programs.