Charles County, MD Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Charles County Code Ch. 274
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Planning and Growth Management
- Adopted / effective
- June 15, 2010 / Aug. 1, 2010
- Design standard
- 2000 MD Stormwater Design Manual
- Max penalty
- $10,000 fine, 1 year jail per violation
- Applies to
- All new development and redevelopment
Summary
Charles County regulates stormwater under Chapter 274 of the County Code, requiring an approved stormwater management plan for new development or redevelopment before a permit issues. The Department of Planning and Growth Management enforces the ordinance, which uses environmental site design to the maximum extent practicable and, for water quality, structural best management practices.
§ 274-1. Purpose. The purpose of the Charles County Stormwater Management Ordinance ("Ordinance") 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. ... § 274-3. Statutory authority; applicability; enforcement authority. The provisions of this chapter are adopted pursuant to the authority of the Environment Article, Title 4, Subtitle 2, of the Annotated Code of Maryland, 2009 Replacement Volume and Article 25, § 3, of the Annotated Code of Maryland and apply to all new development or redevelopment of land, including, but not limited to, residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional use. ... The Department of Planning and Growth Management shall be responsible for the coordination and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 274, adopted June 15, 2010 and effective August 1, 2010, sets Charles County's stormwater program under the authority of the Environment Article, Title 4, Subtitle 2, of the Annotated Code of Maryland and Article 25, Section 3. Section 274-3 assigns coordination and enforcement to the Department of Planning and Growth Management and applies the ordinance to all new development or redevelopment, residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional. 03D governing Intensely Developed Areas as the technical design standards. Section 274-4 requires a comprehensive plan review and approval process, exemptions and waivers, and ongoing maintenance responsibilities including periodic inspection once a facility is built.
Under Section 274-55, if required maintenance on a stormwater facility is not performed, the Department notifies the responsible person, sets a repair deadline, and reinspects; if the owner still fails to act, the Department does the work and bills the cost as a debt to the County. Section 274-56 lets the County enter and operate a private facility whose owner defaulted on a maintenance agreement, with the County's costs becoming a lien on the property. Enforcement under Section 274-47 runs from a notice of violation through a stop-work order, withheld bonds or securities, and referral for civil or criminal prosecution.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 274-57, violating Chapter 274 is a misdemeanor as set out in Section 4-215 of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, up to one year in jail, or both, for each violation, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The County may also seek an injunction, mandamus, or other court order to force compliance, in addition to any criminal penalty and court costs of up to $10,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Charles County require a stormwater permit before I build?
What happens if I don't maintain my property's stormwater facility?
What's the penalty for violating the stormwater ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charles County
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