The removal of any vegetation or cutting trees outside of the Critical Area. Applies for removing trees with stumps or more than 20 trees; disturbing an area 5,000 square feet or greater; or projects exceeding a cut and fill volume of 100 cubic yards on property not located in the Critical Area.
Vegetation removal with disturbances 5,000 sq. ft. or greater AND/OR cut and fill volume total exceeding 100 cubic yards requires a Grading permit.
NOTE: Grading permits will require mitigation of stormwater in accordance with MDE. A Declaration of Restrictive Covenants (DoRC) form will be required for county inspection of stormwater devices.
Vegetation removal requires an SECP for a tree-cutting operation affecting 1+ acres of forest or developed woodland within a one-year interval, if it disturbs 5,000 sq. ft. or more of forest floor (not including grubbing/clearing of roots). SECP must be prepared by a MD-licensed forester and reviewed by both the Calvert Soil Conservation District and the MD Forest Service. NOTE: Loggers must possess a MD DNR-issued Forest Product Operator's license AND a MD Department of the Environment-issued Best Management Practices Training certification (also called a "Forest Harvest Green Card.")
Vegetation Removal requires on areas 40,000 square feet or greater have multiple requirements. This involves a Forest Stand Delineation, a Forest Conservation Plan, and a Forest Conservation Worksheet. A 20,000 square foot clearing threshold may apply in some situations.
NOTE: There are several exemptions to this requirement (e.g., projects in the Critical Area or timber harvesting, as those are regulated elsewhere, or for certain construction for a property owner’s children). These exemptions require a Pre-Application Review and Exemption Request.
NOTE: the removal of a national-, State-, or County-designated Champion, Monument or Specimen tree requires an Administrative Variance.
The following information must be submitted with applicable permit application(s):
None
Fees
All fees can be found in the Environmental Fee Schedule. For additional information, contact the Planning & Zoning department at 410-535-2348
A $75 Critical Area and Non-Critical Area Vegetative Permit Review (includes inspection if needed) fee will be due at time of permit package submittal.
Licensing
If the applicant is contracting a builder, they need a Licensed Contractor. If they are building it themselves, they do not need a Licensed Contractor. Check to see if an individual or business is licensed before they do business for you.