Passed in 1914, the Roadside Tree Law and its regulations were developed to protect Maryland’s roadside trees by ensuring their proper care and protection and to ensure their compatibility with the public utility system.
Before a roadside tree is trimmed or cared for in any way including removed, a Tree Care Permit must be obtained from the Maryland DNR Forest Service. A roadside tree is any tree that grows all or in part within a public road right-of-way. A permit is also needed to plant a tree within the public road right-of-way. Any work (including removals) performed on a roadside tree, 20 feet or greater in height, must be done by a licensed tree expert. If tree care or removal is performed on a roadside tree without a permit, a fine or more severe actions may be assessed by the Maryland DNR Forest Service.
During the 2009 Legislative Session, the Roadside Tree Law (NRA §5-401—5-406, Annotated Code of Maryland) was amended to state: “A county or municipality may not issue a building permit to an applicant for any clearing, construction, or development that will result in the trimming, cutting, removal, or injury of a roadside tree
until the applicant first obtains a permit from the Department in accordance with this section.” [NRA 5-406(D)] emphasis added Disclaimer: A negative response from the Roadside Tree Permit Query may indicate that either a roadside tree permit was not requested at this address or that there are no roadside trees at this address (and no permit is required).
To locate a permit:
To obtain a permit: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/download/060905rtp.doc
Mail the completed form to: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/art/county_map.asp
To learn more about Roadside Tree Law:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/programapps/newrtlaw.asp
And other MD Forest Service programs: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/
For further information, please contact:
Eastern Region:
(Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties)
MD Forest Service
6095 Sixty Foot Rd.
Parsonsburg, MD 21849
(410)-543-1950
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Central Region:
(Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford, Howard, and Montgomery Counties)
MD Forest Service
2 South Bond St
Bel Air, MD 21014
(410) 836-4578
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Southern Region:
(Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s Counties)
MD Forest Service
23110 Leonard Hall Dr.
Leonardtown, MD 20650
(310) 880-2747
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Western Region:
(Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties)
MD Forest Service
3 Pershing St. Rm 101
Cumberland, MD 21502
(301) 777-5818
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Contact Maryland DNR Forest Service office for permits and permit questions.
Contact Person:
Marian Honeczy
Maryland DNR Forest Service
580 Taylor Avenue
Tawes State Office Building E-1
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410- 260-8511 Fax: 410-260-8595
E-mail: mhoneczy@dnr.state.md.us
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service wants to know if this service is helpful for you or your company, please send comments and/or suggestions to Maryland DNR.
Passed in 1914, the Roadside Tree Law and its regulations were developed to protect Maryland’s roadside trees by ensuring their proper care and protection and to ensure their compatibility with the public utility system.