Carroll County, MD Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Forest Conservation, Carroll County Code Ch. 150
- Trigger threshold
- 40,000 sq ft disturbed or 20,000 sq ft forest cut
- Variance authority
- County variance required under Section 150.14
- Maximum criminal fine
- $50,000 and up to 1 year jail
- Civil penalty rate
- $0.30 per square foot of noncompliant area
Summary
Carroll County's forest conservation code protects trees tied to historic sites and county-designated champion trees. Under Section 150.06(B)(2), any tree recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, the Maryland Historical Trust, the Carroll County Historic Preservation Commission, or formally named a champion tree must stay undisturbed during development unless the county grants a variance.
(B) The following categories of trees, shrubs, or other associated vegetation, and forest resources located in specifically identified sensitive locations shall be considered a priority for retention and protection and shall be left in an undisturbed condition and protected from disturbance during and until on site construction activities are complete, unless the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the county that the applicant qualifies for a variance in accordance with § 150.14. ... (2) Historic significance. Trees that: (a) Are part of a historic site as recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, the Maryland Historical Trust, the Carroll County Historic Preservation Commission, or municipal historic body; (b) Are associated with a historic structure as recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, the Maryland Historical Trust, the Carroll County Historic Preservation Commission, or municipal historic body; or (c) Have been designated by the state or the county as a national, state, county, or municipal champion tree.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through July 30, 2026).
Full Breakdown
02(A)). 06(B)(2) criterion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, tied to a Maryland Historical Trust or Carroll County Historic Preservation Commission site or structure, or formally designated a national, state, county, or municipal champion tree, sits in the highest retention priority tier. 05 must show these trees left undisturbed through construction. 14, and the county grants one only after retention efforts have proven unsuccessful or the tree is documented as a safety liability. 05(C)(1)), and the plan cannot later be amended to strip that protection without fresh county approval. The rule reaches only the unincorporated county; incorporated towns such as Westminster and Taneytown administer their own tree codes.
Violations & Fines
Cutting, clearing, or grading before the county approves the FCP, or disturbing a listed heritage or champion tree without an approved Section 150.14 variance, is a misdemeanor under Section 150.99(A)(2) carrying a fine up to $50,000, up to one year in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The county can also issue a stop-work order and assess a civil penalty of $0.30 per square foot of noncompliant area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a historic or champion tree on my Carroll County property?
What makes a tree a protected champion tree under Carroll County's code?
What happens if a builder disturbs a protected heritage tree without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carroll County
Compare Carroll County to another location·View the Maryland tree protection overview
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