Landscaping Rules in Maryland (2026)

Maryland law universally requires a state-issued permit before anyone trims, prunes, plants, or removes a tree growing…

Annapolis requires trees near public streets and sidewalks to be pruned for a 10-foot clearance over sidewalks and 12…

Anne Arundel County requires 14 feet of vertical clearance over roads for trees, bushes and vegetation on private…

Private-yard trees generally need no county trimming permit, but any tree in the public right-of-way ('roadside tree')…

Frederick property owners must keep trees along their land trimmed so branches don't obstruct sidewalks, streets, or…

Trees overhanging public sidewalks and streets in Gaithersburg must maintain a minimum clearance of 8 feet above…

In unincorporated Harford County, the Department of Public Works can order removal of trees, bushes, vines, weeds or…

In Howard County you may prune trees inside your yard freely, but a tree growing wholly or partly in the public road…

Trimming trees on your own private property in Prince George's County generally needs no county permit. But any tree in…

Rockville requires trees, shrubs, hedges and vines be kept pruned so they never block drivers' or pedestrians'…

The Maryland Forest Conservation Act requires permits and reforestation plans for clearing forested areas of 40,000…

Montgomery County has three tree protection laws: Forest Conservation Law (Chapter 22A), Roadside Tree Law (Chapter…

Before cutting, clearing, or grading forest on a covered Carroll County project, developers must get a Forest…

Clearing 10,000 square feet or more of woodland on a Prince George's County lot triggers the Woodland and Wildlife…

Annapolis requires developers who remove trees to replant them on a size-based ratio table, or pay a fee-in-lieu of…

Anne Arundel County requires developers who clear forest below the county's conservation threshold to replant at up to…

Baltimore County administers the Maryland Forest Conservation Act (Code Article 33, Title 6). Clearing forest during…

Gaithersburg requires a permit from the city manager before removing, relocating or topping any tree on private…

Howard County does not require a permit to remove a single tree from an owner-occupied lot. Larger clearing is governed…

Rockville subdivision applicants who cannot fit the required number of lot trees must plant two replacement trees…

Washington County's Subdivision Ordinance regulates tree removal tied to land development outside incorporated towns…

In unincorporated Wicomico County, clearing trees on a tract of 40,000 square feet or more before subdivision, grading…

Baltimore County's Weed Ordinance bars an owner or occupant from allowing grass, weeds, or other rank vegetation to…

In Prince George's County, grass or weeds over 12 inches tall is a violation of the County Code. Owners get a written…

Annapolis caps grass, weeds, and other rank vegetation at one foot on any lot within the city, with exceptions for…

Anne Arundel County bans weeds or grass over 12 inches tall on most improved property, with exemptions for open space…

Carroll County treats weeds or lawn at or above 12 inches as a public nuisance under Code of Ordinances § 3-106. The…

Gaithersburg property owners and occupants must keep grass and weeds under ten inches tall. The rule sits in the city's…

Howard County has no fixed lawn-height number for owner-occupied homes. Its Property Maintenance Code (adopting the…

Montgomery County caps weeds and grass at 12 inches within 15 feet of any property line in subdivisions and the 100…

Rockville caps weeds and grass on any lot, including the adjacent right-of-way strip, at 10 inches and bans noxious…

Washington County, Maryland requires owners of improved land along county roads to cut and remove briars, undergrowth…

Unincorporated Wicomico County caps weeds at 10 inches on developed and vacant subdivision lots under § 174-1.Q(1)…

Baltimore County does not set fixed watering days; instead the Director of Public Works and Transportation can issue a…

Rockville's City Manager can declare mandatory water restrictions during a shortage or drought that ban using hoses or…

Once the Mayor declares a water emergency, lawn and garden watering in Annapolis is limited to even/odd days matching…

Howard County has no year-round odd/even watering ban. Water use is limited only when the state declares a drought…

Prince George's County has no permanent lawn-watering schedule. Water is supplied by WSSC Water, and in humid Maryland…

On lots under 15,000 square feet, Montgomery County lets builders satisfy the required runoff-control plan for a…

Carroll County doesn't license a backyard rain barrel, but its stormwater code names rainwater harvesting as an…

Washington County lists rainwater harvesting as an approved environmental site design (ESD) stormwater treatment…

Prince George's County pays $2 per gallon of stored capacity for rain barrels and cisterns under its Stormwater…

Maryland law universally prohibits homeowner associations and similar covenants from banning low-impact landscaping…

Any development disturbing Charles County's Critical Area Buffer, the vegetated strip protecting tidal shorelines and…

Anne Arundel County bans weeds or grass over 12 inches on most properties, but the Director of Public Works may modify…

When a Tree Conservation Plan is required for development in Prince George's County, every required planting must use…

Montgomery County's weed law caps "generalized plant growth" at 12 inches near property lines, but Code § 58-3 exempts…

Maryland law requires large food waste generators statewide to divert organics from landfills through reduction…

Montgomery County requires backyard compost piles used to dispose of garbage to be rodentproofed; piles made entirely…

Rockville allows residential compost piles for yard waste and non-animal food scraps only if fully rodent-proofed…

Prince George's County's property-maintenance code excludes yard and lawn clippings from the legal definition of…

Harford County does not require a permit for a residential compost pile. Section 179-7C lets a property owner dispose…