Carroll County, MD Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Forest Conservation, Carroll County Code Ch. 150
- Protected list source
- USFWS and Maryland DNR rare/endangered lists
- Retention trigger
- 40,000 sq ft disturbed or 20,000 sq ft cut
- Escape route
- County variance under Section 150.14 only
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $50,000 fine, 1 year jail
Summary
Carroll County's Forest Conservation ordinance singles out rare, threatened, and endangered trees, shrubs, and plants for mandatory retention. Under Section 150.06(B)(1), any species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Maryland Department of Natural Resources must be left undisturbed on a development site unless the county grants a Section 150.14 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. ... (1) Rare/endangered. Trees, shrubs, or plants identified on the list of rare, threatened, and endangered species of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
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)). S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 05 must show them left undisturbed through construction. 14 by showing the county that retaining the plant would be economically prohibitive or otherwise unwarranted. 05(C)(1) bars cutting, clearing, or grading until the county approves the plan, and the plan cannot be amended afterward without new county sign-off. This rule governs only the unincorporated county; municipalities like Westminster enforce their own separate codes.
Violations & Fines
Removing or disturbing a listed rare or endangered species without an approved variance is a misdemeanor under Section 150.99(A)(2): up to $50,000 in fines, up to one year in jail, or both, with each day treated as a separate offense. The county may also issue a stop-work order, impose a civil fine of up to $10,000 per day, and assess $0.30 per square foot of noncompliant area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carroll County protect endangered plants on private development sites?
How does the county find out if a rare species is on my lot?
What is the penalty for clearing a protected species without approval in Carroll County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carroll County
Compare Carroll County to another location·View the Maryland tree protection overview
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