Anne Arundel County, MD Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Clearance required
- 14 feet over the roadway
- Enforced by
- Director of Public Works
- Appeal window
- 10 days after notice served
- Non-compliance
- County removes it, bills owner
- Unpaid cost
- Becomes lien like property taxes
Summary
Anne Arundel County requires 14 feet of vertical clearance over roads for trees, bushes and vegetation on private property that block driver sightlines or overhang the roadway, and the Director of Public Works can order an owner to cut it back.
If the Director determines that trees, bushes, vines, weeds, undergrowth, loose earth, or other obstructions other than buildings or similar structures affixed to the ground exist on private property that obstruct the vision of operators of vehicles traveling on a road or obstruct vertical clearance of at least 14 feet, the Director shall serve the owner, agent, lessee, or other person in control of the property with a written notice containing a description of the premises on which the obstruction exists, a statement of the particulars of the obstruction, a statement of the steps necessary to correct the condition, and an order directing that corrective steps be taken within a stated period of time. The notice shall be served as provided in §
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
Under County Code Section 13-2-303, if the Director of Public Works finds trees, bushes, vines, weeds, or undergrowth on private property blocking a driver's view of the road or leaving less than 14 feet of vertical clearance, the Director serves written notice ordering the owner to fix it by a stated deadline. The owner may petition for a hearing within 10 days; the Director then affirms, modifies, or rescinds the notice within 10 days. This applies countywide, including unincorporated Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Pasadena, and Odenton -- not in Annapolis or Highland Beach, which have their own codes.
Violations & Fines
If the owner does not comply, the County enters the property, removes the obstruction, and bills the owner for the removal and service costs; unpaid invoices become a lien on the property, collected like County real property taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to trees on my property in Glen Burnie or Severna Park?
What happens if I ignore the County's notice to trim my trees?
Can I challenge the Director's notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland landscaping rules overview
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