Tree Protection in Maryland (2026)
23 rules on the books across Maryland, 13 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Heritage & Protected Trees
Extra protections for old, large, or historically significant trees, including the penalties for removing them without approval.
Carroll County
Significant RestrictionsCarroll County's forest conservation code protects trees tied to historic sites and county-designated champion trees…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Significant RestrictionsPrince George's County singles out its biggest and most significant trees for extra protection under the Woodland…
Read full rule →Wicomico County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Wicomico County, § 126-11 of the Forest Conservation ordinance names historic-site trees, county or…
Read full rule →Gaithersburg
Some RestrictionsGaithersburg's forest conservation code makes trees 24 inches or more in diameter, or 75% the size of the state…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County has no separate heritage-tree ordinance, but its Forest Conservation Law protects officially…
Read full rule →Protected Tree Species
Specific native species (oak, sycamore, walnut, juniper) protected by city ordinance, diameter thresholds, removal permits, and replacement ratios.
Anne Arundel County
Significant RestrictionsAnne Arundel County classifies champion trees, historic-site trees, and trees 30+ inches in diameter as priority…
Read full rule →Baltimore County
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County's Forest Conservation law requires developers disturbing 40,000 square feet or more to leave rare…
Read full rule →Carroll County
Significant RestrictionsCarroll County's Forest Conservation ordinance singles out rare, threatened, and endangered trees, shrubs, and plants…
Read full rule →Howard County
Significant RestrictionsHoward County's forest conservation law bars disturbing trees listed as rare, threatened, or endangered by state or…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Significant RestrictionsMontgomery County flags champion, specimen, and state/federally listed rare trees as priority-retention resources under…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Significant RestrictionsPrince George's County's Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Ordinance forces a mandatory variance review before…
Read full rule →Harford County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Harford County, zoning code § 267-39(D) makes any tree, shrub or plant on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsWashington County's Forest Conservation Ordinance requires developers to leave rare, threatened or endangered trees and…
Read full rule →Wicomico County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Wicomico County, § 126-11 of the Forest Conservation ordinance makes trees, shrubs and plants…
Read full rule →Parkway Planting
Permits and rules for planting in the parkway strip between sidewalk and curb, including approved species lists and Bureau of Street Services standards.
Annapolis
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis requires new street trees to sit at least 30 feet from intersections, 15 feet from driveways and alleys, and…
Read full rule →Charles County
Some RestrictionsCharles County's Core Mixed-Use Zones require one large shade tree per 40 linear feet of street frontage, spaced 35 to…
Read full rule →Harford County
Some RestrictionsNew residential and nonresidential developments in unincorporated Harford County must plant street trees along road…
Read full rule →Howard County
Some RestrictionsHoward County requires street trees at least two and one-half inches in caliper on every new internal road and any…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsStreet trees on Montgomery County road rights-of-way must follow Department of Transportation design standards…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County requires developers to plant roadside trees within permit areas at their own cost and bars…
Read full rule →Rockville
Some RestrictionsRockville requires subdivision applicants to plant at least one street tree per 40 feet of lot frontage within the…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsInside the Urban Growth Area or Town Growth Areas, developers meeting forest conservation obligations may plant street…
Read full rule →Wicomico County
Some RestrictionsWicomico County requires one street tree for every 40 feet of street frontage in residential districts within a Planned…
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