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Howard County, MD Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Tree removal permit rules in Howard County, MD, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.

Key Facts

Single yard tree
No county permit
Plan trigger
40,000 sq ft disturbance
Authority
County Code Title 16, Subtitle 12
State law
MD Forest Conservation Act
Roadside trees
Separate DNR permit

Summary

Howard County does not require a permit to remove a single tree from an owner-occupied lot. Larger clearing is governed by the county's Forest Conservation program under the Maryland Forest Conservation Act, which requires a forest conservation plan and retention or replanting when development disturbs 40,000 square feet or more.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

"Forest conservation" means the retention of existing forest or the creation of new forest at the levels prescribed by the State or local authority.

View official code

Full Breakdown

For everyday yard trees on private, owner-occupied property outside easements, no county tree-removal permit is required. When land is subdivided, graded or developed, County Code Title 16, Subtitle 12 implements the Maryland Forest Conservation Act. The Act aims to conserve forest by making it part of site planning; it defines forest conservation as the retention of existing forest or creation of new forest at prescribed levels. Projects disturbing 40,000 square feet or more must submit a forest stand delineation and forest conservation plan and meet afforestation or reforestation obligations backed by surety. Roadside trees in the right-of-way need a separate state DNR permit.

Violations & Fines

Clearing regulated forest without an approved conservation plan can require reforestation, mitigation surety and penalties enforced by the Department of Planning and Zoning; roadside-tree violations are penalized by the state DNR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to remove one backyard tree?
Usually no, if the tree is on your owner-occupied lot and not in a forest-conservation easement, critical area or road right-of-way. Development-scale clearing is different.
When is a forest conservation plan required?
When a subdivision, grading or development project disturbs 40,000 square feet or more, a forest stand delineation and forest conservation plan must be approved before clearing.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Howard County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsWater RestrictionsSome RestrictionsTree TrimmingSome RestrictionsWeed OrdinancesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions

All Howard County rules

Compare Howard County to another location·View the Maryland landscaping rules overview

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