Maryland Administrative Code

.01 Titling Documents. A. Documents must identify vessel by at least the vessel number or hull identification number. B. Required ownership transfer elements are purchaser's name, date of purchase, purchase price, and signature of all owners. C. Any alteration or erasure on an or…

.02 Taxable Value of Vessels. A. Vessel excise tax is levied at the rate of 5 percent of the purchase price of a vessel. B. The minimum vessel excise tax is $5. C. Purchase price may be reduced by the value of any vessel traded to a licensed dealer as part of the consideration fo…

.03 Mechanics Lien Title. A. A mechanics lien is created under Commercial Law Article, §16-201 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland, when: (1) The Applicant, with the consent of the owner, has provided services or materials for a vessel; (2) Charges are due and unpaid for 30 days;…

.04 Disposal Title. A. A lienor under Commercial Law Article, §16-201 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland, may apply for a title for purposes of disposal. Minimum vessel excise tax of $5 will be assessed. B. Lienor must declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that lienor seek…

.05 Abandoned Vessel Title. A. An application for abandoned vessel title under Natural Resources Article, §8-721 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland, shall include: (1) Vessel identification; (2) Evidence of published notice; (3) Evidence of owner and lienholder notification; and…

.01 Waterways Improvement — Dredging. A. To establish a waterway improvement district, the governing body shall refer the proposed district to the Department by submitting a written description of the proposed project including drawings or sketches showing the project, spoil area…

.01 Security Interest Recordation. A. A secured party shall perfect a security interest in a vessel by submitting the filing fee and completing: (1) The spaces provided for security interests in a vessel on the application for Maryland Certificates of Title and Boat Numbers for a…

.01 Statement of Purpose and Requirements. A. These regulations are promulgated to establish procedures and criteria for the placement of moorings in the waters of the State in order to prevent the placement and use of moorings from interfering with access to and use of the water…

.02 General Conditions. A. Moorings may not be established in the following areas. (1) Public shellfish beds; (2) Private shellfish beds, unless permission is obtained from the leaseholder; (3) Cable crossing areas. B. Moorings may not be placed in such a position that the arch o…

.03 Group Mooring Registration. A. A person may not establish a group mooring unless validly registered with the Department or a designated local government authority. B. Mooring registration forms are available from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 580 Taylor Avenue…

.04 Local Government. A. A local government may certify that it will administer its own program, which may encompass all or part of the standards set forth in this regulation, after showing that it has adequate legal authority to impose the conditions set forth in these regulatio…

.05 Enforcement. A. An owner of a mooring found in violation of these regulations will be held responsible. The violation will be treated as any other violation of the Natural Resources Code and a citation issued. B. The enforcement provisions in these regulations may not be exer…

.06 Property Rights. The placement of a mooring pursuant to these regulations does not create a property right or an exclusive privilege and does not authorize an infringement upon the rights of any riparian property owner.

.01 Validation Stickers. A. In order to use Maryland waters for pleasure, a vessel documented with the U.S. Coast Guard with principal use in Maryland must display validation stickers issued in accordance with the provisions of Natural Resources Article, §8-712.1, Annotated Code …

.02 Exemptions. A. The following federally documented vessels may not be regarded as using Maryland waters for pleasure: (1) Commercially registered vessels that are: (a) For hire with a licensed captain on board; (b) Used exclusively by a marine school as a training vessel; (c) …

.01 Controlled Water Ski Areas. A. The Department may designate a controlled water ski area within the waters of the State. B. The controlled water ski area may contain ski slalom course(s) that must meet the ski slalom requirements set by the American Water Ski Association (AWSA…

.02 DNR Ski Sticker. A. The Department may issue DNR Ski Stickers for qualified controlled ski vessels. B. DNR Ski Stickers are valid for the life of the controlled ski vessel as long as the vessel is not sold or modified. C. Designated Agents. (1) The Secretary of the Department…

.03 Public Bathing Beaches. A. Swim Beach Areas may be approved by the Department of Natural Resources only if the area: (1) Meets the requirements for Public Bathing Beach areas under COMAR 26.08.09; and (2) Is located within an approved Public Bathing Beach area as defined unde…

.01 Application. The Rural Legacy Board shall develop an application form for use by sponsors applying for rural legacy area designation and Rural Legacy Program funding. The application shall include: A. Definitions of key terms; B. An overview of the rural legacy process; C. A …

.02 Project Costs. The Rural Legacy Board shall reimburse, or provide for the advance payment of, the following costs incurred by a sponsor of an approved rural legacy plan: A. Direct costs, which means the actual costs of the real property interests acquired by a sponsor of an a…

.03 Approval and Amendment of Rural Legacy Areas and Plans. A. A rural legacy plan may encompass a geographic area the same size as, or smaller than, a rural legacy area. B. The Rural Legacy Board may not approve an: (1) Application without the approval of each local government w…

.04 Time Limitation on Funds. A. The Rural Legacy Board may establish time limitations on the use of funds within the period of time stipulated within a grant agreement. B. The Rural Legacy Board may monitor the timely expenditure of funds by a sponsor and reallocate any unused f…

.05 Land Trusts. A. Land purchased in fee with rural legacy funds by a land trust shall be protected by a conservation easement held by a qualified federal, State, county, or municipal conservation organization. B. A conservation easement purchased with rural legacy funds by a la…

.06 Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs). A. The title to a transferable development right (TDR) acquired by a sponsor shall be recorded jointly in the name of the sponsor or easement grantee and the Rural Legacy Board, and shall be described in detail in the project agreement. …

.07 Appraisal of Easement Values. A. The Rural Legacy Board may develop a model easement valuation methodology, which shall place value on the following characteristics of a property: (1) Real estate development rights; (2) Agricultural and commercial forestry qualities; (3) Natu…

.01 Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to foster water safety for recreational uses of certain particularly hazardous portions of the Potomac River by establishing zones and public safety restrictions where certain recreational activities are considered unsafe.

.02 Definitions. A. The following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Boating”, for the purposes of this chapter, means any recreational or other use of the Potomac River involving a vessel, including swimming or wading in association with a vessel. (2) Recr…

.03 Prohibited Areas. A. Zone A. A person may not enter the Potomac River for the purpose of recreational use in that portion of the Potomac River downstream of a line beginning at a point 200 yards above the crest of Aqueduct Dam at or near Lat. 39° 0.157' N., Long. 77° 14.850' …

.04 Written Approval. Written approval for swimming or wading as part of a training course may be applied for by contacting the: A. National Park Service at the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia 22101; or B. Maryland Department of Natural Resou…

.05 Failure to Comply with Lawful Order. A person with or without the written approval described in Regulation .04 of this chapter may not willfully fail or refuse to comply promptly with any lawful or reasonable order or direction of any Natural Resources Police Officer or any l…

.01 Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to foster water safety in an area where an approved powerboat race, regatta, or exhibition is taking place.

.02 Definitions. A. The following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Approved powerboat races, regattas, or exhibitions” means an event that takes place on the waters of the State that has prior written approval from the United States Coast Guard or the Dep…

.03 Prohibited Action. A person may not: A. Operate or cause to be operated an unauthorized vessel across an approved powerboat race, regatta, or exhibition course, or cause interference with an approved race, regatta, or exhibition. B. Swim across the boundary of an approved rac…

.01 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Commissioned officer” means a forest or park warden, or a forest or park ranger, having the authority stated in Natural Resources Article, §5-206, Annotated Code of Maryla…

.02 State Forests. A. The State forest system consists of the following areas in §B of this regulation, as delineated on maps filed in the Office of the Secretary of Natural Resources. B. Names and Locations of State Forests. The general locations of State-owned forests are liste…

.03 Hunting and Trapping. A. Unless otherwise posted, hunting and trapping: (1) Are permitted during the regular open hunting and trapping season; and (2) Shall be conducted in conformity with State law. B. The Director may regulate specific areas, seasons, methods of harvest, an…

.04 Weapons. A. Definition. In this regulation, “weapon” means: (1) A device capable of propelling a projectile at high velocity by mechanical means, by explosion, or by expanding gas, including but not limited to a firearm, crossbow, or longbow; (2) A dirk knife, bowie knife, sw…

.05 Fishing. A. Except in a posted area, an individual may fish in the waters of a State forest for finfish, if the individual complies with the State fishing laws. B. Permit. (1) Fishing for other than finfish is by permit only. (2) A permit may be issued by the Director.

.06 Closing Against Entry. A. This regulation does not apply to employees of the Department on official business. B. The Director may, by notice, close certain areas of State forests to public entry and travel. C. An individual or vehicle may not enter or remain on lands or water…

.07 Swimming. Unless posted as prohibited, an individual may wade or swim in State forest waters.

.08 Camping. Camping in State forests is by permit issued by a forest officer. The permit shall specify the place and time period for camping.

.09 Commercial Enterprise. A. An individual may not use the property or resources of a State forest for commercial gain without obtaining a permit from the Service. Permits may be issued by the Director. B. Unless a permit is obtained from the Service, an individual may not sell,…

.10 Fires. A. An individual shall obtain a permit from the Service before kindling, building, maintaining, or using an open fire within a State forest. B. A fire permit may be revoked at any time by a forest officer. C. A fire shall be continuously under the surveillance of a com…

.11 Advertising. Unless a permit is obtained from the Service, an individual may not erect or post a sign, notice, or literature in a State forest.

.12 Refuse and Rubbish. A. Except in containers provided by the Service, an individual may not deposit garbage, sewage, waste, foodstuffs, paper, or other litter in a State forest. B. An individual may not deposit in Service-provided containers garbage, sewage, foodstuffs, paper,…

.13 Plants, Rocks, Minerals, and Animals. A. This regulation does not apply to forest personnel in the performance of their duties. B. Except as authorized in Regulation .03 of this chapter and §§C and D of this regulation, an individual may not remove, disturb, damage, or destro…

.14 Traffic and Parking. A. The use of State forest roads is subject to the provisions of the laws of Maryland and the regulations of the Service. Roads may be closed to traffic when this action is considered necessary by a forest officer. B. Instructions from a forest officer to…