Queen Anne's County, MD Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Exemption threshold
- Development not disturbing over 5,000 square feet of land area
- Core standard
- Environmental site design to the maximum extent practicable
- Design guide
- 2000 Maryland Stormwater Design Manual, incorporated by reference
- Surety
- 125% of estimated construction cost of stormwater facilities
- Inspection notice
- At least 48 hours before starting stormwater work
- Appeal deadline
- 30 days to the Board of Appeals
- Maximum penalty
- $5,000 fine, one year, or both; each day separate
Summary
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland, no one can develop land for residential, commercial, industrial or institutional use without stormwater management measures built under an approved plan. Environmental site design to the maximum extent practicable comes first, development disturbing 5,000 square feet or less is exempt, and violations are misdemeanors with fines up to $5,000.
§ 14:4-7. Scope. No person shall develop any land for residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional uses without providing stormwater management measures that control or manage runoff from such developments, except as henceforth provided. Stormwater management measures must be designed consistent with the Design Manual and constructed according to an approved stormwater management plan. § 14:4-8. Exemptions. ... C. Any development that does not disturb over 5,000 square feet of land area; and ... § 14:4-30. ... Surety requirements from developer. ... The amount of the surety shall be 125% of the total estimated construction cost of all stormwater management facilities for the project approved by the Department. ... § 14:4-45. ... Criminal violation penalties. A. Violation of chapter: penalties. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to: (1) A fine of not more than $5,000; or (2) Imprisonment not exceeding one year; or (3) Both for each violation with costs imposed at the discretion of the court.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 14:4 is enforced by the Department, which means the Queen Anne's County Department of Public Works or the Soil Conservation District acting under written agreement with the County Commissioners (§ 14:4-1, § 14:4-3). The goal in § 14:4-2 is to maintain after development, as nearly as possible, the predevelopment runoff characteristics, using environmental site design (ESD) to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) and structural practices only when necessary. The 2000 Maryland Stormwater Design Manual is incorporated by reference as the official guide (§ 14:4-4).
Section 14:4-8 exempts agricultural land management activities, qualifying additions to existing single-family detached homes, any development that does not disturb over 5,000 square feet, and activities regulated under specific state stormwater laws. Residential development disturbing over 5,000 square feet can use the Department's standard ESD plan, and so can existing in-fill single-family lots (§ 14:4-10). The MEP standard is met when channel stability is maintained, predevelopment groundwater recharge is replicated, nonpoint source pollution is minimized, and structural practices are used only if necessary (§ 14:4-14). The ESD practices to be evaluated include rooftop runoff disconnection, permeable pavement, rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, micro-bioretention and swales (§ 14:4-15). Practices must be recorded in the Queen Anne's County land records and cannot be altered without prior Department approval.
Applicants submit a concept plan, a site development plan and a final plan (§ 14:4-19). No grading or building permit issues until final plans are approved, and where appropriate also without recorded easements, a recorded maintenance and inspection agreement, and a surety and inspection fee (§ 14:4-24). The surety is 125% of the estimated construction cost of the approved facilities (§ 14:4-30). The applicant must notify the Department at least 48 hours before starting stormwater work (§ 14:4-33). The owner maintains private facilities in perpetuity, and the County can do uncorrected work and assess the cost as a lien collected like County real estate taxes (§§ 14:4-38, 14:4-39). A written variance request goes to the Department (§ 14:4-12). Appeals go to the Board of Appeals within 30 days (§ 14:4-42).
Violations & Fines
Anyone convicted of violating Chapter 14:4 is guilty of a misdemeanor, with a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both for each violation, plus costs at the discretion of the court. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and the County can seek injunctive or mandamus relief (§ 14:4-45). A permit can be suspended or revoked after written notice for plan violations, ignored stop-work orders, or an immediate danger downstream (§ 14:4-26).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a small project in unincorporated Queen Anne's County need stormwater management?
How much surety does the County require?
Who maintains a private stormwater facility after construction?
How do I appeal a stormwater permit denial?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Queen Anne's County
Compare Queen Anne's County to another location·View the Maryland environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.