Cecil County, MD Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Cecil County Code § 325-1, § 325-16, § 325-18
- Enforcing agency
- Department of Public Works
- Applies in
- Unincorporated county + non-adopting towns
- Legal basis
- Maryland Stormwater Act of 2007
- Design standard
- 2000 Maryland Stormwater Design Manual
- Permit prerequisite
- Approved SWM + erosion/sediment plans
Summary
Cecil County's stormwater management ordinance, Code Chapter 325, applies to development in the unincorporated area and in any incorporated town without its own approved program; the Department of Public Works enforces it and must approve a stormwater plan before a grading or building permit can issue.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect, maintain and enhance the public health, safety, and general welfare by establishing minimum requirements and procedures that control the adverse impacts associated with increased stormwater runoff. ... The provisions of this chapter are adopted pursuant to the Maryland Stormwater Act of 2007 and Environment Article, Title 4, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, and shall apply to all development occurring within both the unincorporated area of Cecil County and the incorporated townships which have not adopted a stormwater management ordinance of their own. ... A grading and/or building permit shall not be issued for any parcel or lot unless an erosion and sediment control plan has been approved by the Cecil Soil Conservation District and a stormwater management plan has been approved by the Cecil County Department of Public Works as meeting all the requirements of the Design Manual and this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Section 325-1(A) states the chapter's purpose as protecting public health, safety and general welfare by controlling the runoff impacts of development, using environmental site design (ESD) "to the maximum extent practicable" to keep post-development runoff close to predevelopment conditions and to hold structural best-management practices to cases where ESD alone cannot do the job. " Section 325-1(C) puts the Department of Public Works in charge of coordinating and enforcing the chapter countywide and in any non-adopting town. The ordinance incorporates the 2000 Maryland Stormwater Design Manual and the USDA's Pond Code 378 by reference under § 325-2.
Before any grading or building permit can issue, § 325-16 requires an erosion and sediment control plan approved by the Cecil Soil Conservation District and a stormwater management plan approved by DPW, plus recorded easements, a recorded inspection and maintenance agreement, and a performance bond.
Violations & Fines
Section 325-18 lets DPW suspend or revoke a grading or building permit, or require plan revisions, after written notice, for reasons including violation of the approved plan's conditions, changes in site runoff characteristics, construction that departs from the approved plan, noncompliance with a notice of violation or stop-work order, or an immediate downstream danger. Section 325-20 backs that up with a required performance bond covering the full estimated construction cost of the stormwater facilities before a permit issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cecil County's stormwater ordinance reach unincorporated areas only?
Can I get a building permit without a stormwater plan?
Who enforces Cecil County's stormwater rules?
Can my stormwater permit be revoked after approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cecil County
Compare Cecil County to another location·View the Maryland environmental rules overview
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