Anne Arundel County, MD Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Plan trigger
- 5,000+ sq ft disturbance, or any new house
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Inspections and Permits
- Critical-area fine
- Class A, up to $10,000
- Outside critical area fine
- Class B, $1,000-$10,000
- HOA BMP warranty
- 2 years, with posted security
Summary
Anne Arundel County requires an approved stormwater management plan before any development that disturbs 5,000 or more square feet, enforced under Article 16, Title 4 of the County Code by the Department of Inspections and Permits.
A developer may not undertake any development or land disturbance that is subject to the provisions of this title without an approved stormwater management plan.
(b) Preparation. A stormwater management plan shall be prepared by a design professional, according to the requirements of the State Code for the type of stormwater management plan required.
(1) ESD Planning Techniques and Practices. Stormwater management plans shall demonstrate that environmental site design (ESD) has been implemented to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) using the ESD Planning Techniques and Practices in COMAR 26.17.02.08B, the Design Manual, and the County Procedures Manual.
(2) Contents and submission of stormwater management plans. The developer shall be responsible for submitting phased stormwater management plans for development projects according to the comprehensive review and approval process in COMAR 26.17.02.09E and the County Procedures Manual including, but not limited to, the concept plan, stormwater management site development plan, the final stormwater management plan, and an operations and maintenance plan.
(c) Review. The Department shall review the stormwater management plan to determine whether the plan meets the requirements of this title and give notification of approval or reasons for disapproval. For single lot development in the critical area, the Office of Planning and Zoning shall review the
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Article 16, Title 4 bars a developer from starting land disturbance or development without a Department-approved stormwater management plan under § 16-4-201. Any new single-family detached dwelling triggers the requirement regardless of size; other projects are exempt below 5,000 square feet of disturbance. Plans must apply environmental site design to the maximum extent practicable per the Design Manual and County Procedures Manual. Private facilities need a recorded inspection-and-maintenance agreement, and any BMP owned by a homeowners association carries a two-year maintenance warranty backed by posted security. This is the operative rule for Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Pasadena and every other unincorporated community; Annapolis and Highland Beach run their own separate codes.
Violations & Fines
Outside the critical area, a Title 4 violation is a Class B civil offense: $1,000 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second, up to $10,000 for a third or later. Inside the critical area it's Class A, up to $10,000 per violation, plus a $150 County investigation fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a new house in Glen Burnie or Severna Park need a stormwater plan?
Who enforces stormwater rules since these communities have no local government?
What if a homeowner fails to maintain a private stormwater facility?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
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