Maryland Administrative Code

.15 Fees and Charges. An individual may not make use of, or gain admittance to, a facility or activity in a State forest for which there is a fee, unless the fee is paid.

.16 Grazing. Except under special permit or lease from the Service, grazing of cattle, horses, sheep, goats, or other domestic animals is not allowed in a State forest.

.17 Pets. Pets shall be kept under reasonable control consistent with the safety of forest users and forest wildlife. An individual with a pet shall prevent the pet from biting individuals. Pets may not be permitted to disturb forest wildlife outside of hunting activities.

.18 Relics, Treasures, and Metal Detectors. A. The policy of the Service is to safeguard the archeological resources under its care. The guidelines in §§B and C of this regulation shall be followed. B. Without permits from the Office of Archeology, Maryland Historical Trust, Depa…

.19 Intoxicants. A. An individual younger than 21 years old may not consume, transport, or possess intoxicating beverages within a State forest. B. An individual may not consume or possess an open container of an intoxicating beverage on a parking lot, roadway, trail, or other de…

.20 Disorderly Conduct. An individual may not act in a disorderly manner in a State forest by: A. Making loud and unseemly noises or profanely cursing, swearing, or using obscene language; B. Indecently exposing their person or performing any indecent act; C. Throwing missiles, t…

.21 Lawful Order of a Forest Officer. An individual shall obey a reasonable or lawful order of a forest officer or other commissioned officer in connection with the enforcement of Natural Resources laws, regulations, or other State laws.

.22 Fireworks. Without a permit, an individual may not possess or use fireworks or other explosive or combustible devices intended for the creation of a display of noise, light, or smoke in a State forest.

.23 Shooting Ranges. A. Bow and Arrow Range. (1) The following restrictions apply on field archery courses established by or with the permission of the Service: (a) Only field tip or blunt arrows shall be used; (b) An individual may shoot only at established targets; and (c) An i…

.24 Encroachment. A. Private encroachments are prohibited on State forest land. Encroachments include, but are not limited to: (1) Fences; (2) Walls; (3) Dog runs; (4) Dog houses; (5) Storage structures; (6) Driveways; (7) Compost piles; (8) Swimming pools; (9) Tree houses; (10) …

.25 Use of Trails. Pending Changes This section will be changed by the following pending documents: May 25, 2026: Maryland Register, Volume 53, Issue 10 The Service may restrict the use of bicycles, mountain bikes, and animals on certain trails in a State forest.

.26 Equipment Use. After obtaining a permit from a forest officer, special equipment such as chain saws or other motorized equipment may be used. Machinery powered by gasoline, diesel, or other combustible substances shall be equipped with a satisfactory spark arrestor to prevent…

.01 Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to implement Natural Resources Article, §§5-401—5-406, Annotated Code of Maryland, to ensure the proper care of roadside trees in the interest of promoting and maintaining healthy trees and safe, unobstructed, and aesthetically ple…

.02 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Director” means the Director of the Department of Natural Resources — Forest Service, or the Director’s authorized representative. (2) “Dripline” is a line extending from …

.03 Permit Required. A. A person may cut down or prune a roadside tree without a permit if the tree: (1) Is uprooted or its branches are broken to contact telephone, telegraph, electric power, or other wires carrying electricity, or if the tree or its branches are an immediate da…

.04 Types of Roadside Tree Care Permits. A. Roadside tree care permits are of two types: (1) Permits issued for a specific tree or group of trees for specific tree care operations for a term not exceeding 1 year from the date of issuance; and (2) Permits issued for comprehensive …

.05 Issuance of Roadside Tree Care Permits. A. A request for a roadside tree care permit: (1) May be made by: (a) A person owning title to the land on which the tree or trees are located, (b) A governmental entity possessing an easement for the public road right-of-way in which t…

.06 Fees. A. Fees for roadside tree care permits are calculated according to the following schedule: (1) If Forest Service supervision of the proposed tree care is required for a permit under Regulation .04A(2) of this chapter, the fee for issuing the permit, and for supervising …

.07 Roadside Tree Care Standards. A. General Requirements. Unless the Forest Service grants an exception, treatment of roadside trees authorized by permit shall be performed according to the following standards: (1) Branches to be removed shall be cut back to a live lateral branc…

.08 Use of Pesticides. A. The use or application of a pesticide to a tree on a public road right-of-way in the State is controlled as follows: (1) A person applying a pesticide to a roadside tree shall have acquired certification and licensure required by the Maryland Department …

.09 Roadside Tree Planting. A. Trees to be planted on a public road right-of-way are subject to the conditions in §§B and C of this regulation, in addition to conditions imposed by local ordinances. B. Trees shall be of a species and variety from the recommended tree list, and sh…

.10 Penalties. Noncompliance with the provisions of this regulation constitutes a violation of law subject to the penalties provided in Natural Resources Article, §5-1301, Annotated Code of Maryland.

.01 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Conservation purposes” includes soil erosion, watershed protection, fiber production, windbreaks, Christmas tree production, sound barriers, and wildlife habitat developme…

.02 Planting and Sale of Trees and Seedlings at the Maryland Forest Tree Nursery. A. Limitation. The Department may sell trees and seedlings produced at the Maryland Forest Tree Nursery only for conservation purposes. B. Requirements. (1) A representative of the Department shall …

.03 Charges for Administering the Forest Conservation and Management Program. A. Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to recover the cost involved in administering the Forest Conservation and Management Program. B. Definitions. For the purpose of this regulation: (1) “Ass…

.04 Income Tax Treatment of Reforestation and Timber Stand Improvement. A. Definition. “Commercial forest land” means land that is: (1) Capable of growing more than 20 cubic feet of wood per acre per year; and (2) Available for the application of scientific forest management prac…

.01 Definitions. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated: A. “Authorities having jurisdiction” means organizations, offices, or individuals responsible for enforcing requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installatio…

.02 Application. A. This regulation applies to activities in woodland and within 200 feet of woodland, or activities adjacent to or within an area where flammable materials, that could ignite and carry fire to woodland, are located. B. These regulations do not apply inside the li…

.03 Open Air Burning. A. A person may not engage in open air burning except under the following conditions: (1) There is a natural or constructed fire break at least 10 feet wide completely around the material to be burned that is free of flammable materials; (2) Adequate personn…

.04 Disposal Areas. A person may not dispose of flammable material in a disposal area by open air burning, unless there is a cleared strip, free of all flammable material, around the disposal area at least 100 feet wide measured horizontally, and unless a permit has been issued b…

.05 Slash Disposal. A person may not conduct any operation which allows slash to remain within 50 feet, measured horizontally, from the ditch line on either side of any public highway.

.06 Litter. A person may not deposit any refuse, debris, or other flammable material in woodland, or in an area of flammable material likely to carry fire to woodland, within 50 feet measured horizontally from the ditch line on either side of a public roadway.

.07 Spark Arrestors. A person may not operate an internal combustion engine in woodland or in an area of flammable material likely to carry fire to woodland, unless equipped with a United States Forest Service approved spark arresting muffler in good operating condition.

.08 Fireworks. A person may not detonate fireworks in woodland or in an area of flammable material likely to carry fire to woodland, unless there is a safety strip 10 feet wide and the fireworks are detonated less than 3 feet above the ground.

.09 Burning Ban. Under prolonged or unusual conditions conducive to easy starting and spread of wildfire, the Director may declare a complete ban on all open air burning in woodland or in areas of flammable material likely to carry fire to woodland, through the state or in any sp…

.10 Discarding Burning Material. A person may not discard any burning object or material in woodland or in an area of flammable material likely to carry fire to woodland.

.11 Scope. This regulation is in addition to and supplements all laws and regulations relating to open air burning.

.12 Maryland Forest Service Towers and Properties. A. The Maryland Forest Service Towers and Properties system consists of the 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 Maryland Fores…

.01 Scope. This chapter applies to the procedures to be followed for requests for financial assistance and technical assistance to nonindustrial private landowners who desire to initiate various plans for forest management and reforestation through approved forestry practices und…

.02 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Department” means the Department of Natural Resources — Forest Service. (2) “Forestry practice” means an approved or accepted silvicultural and reforestation activity incl…

.03 Application for Cost-Share Assistance for Woodland Incentive Program. A. An eligible landowner seeking cost-share assistance from the Woodland Incentive Program shall submit a plan to the Department prepared or certified by a licensed forester, which contains: (1) The name, a…

.04 Application for Technical Assistance for Woodland Incentive Program. A. An eligible landowner seeking technical assistance may be required to submit the following to the Department during the rendering of requested assistance: (1) The name, address, Social Security or federal…

.05 Charges for Cost-Share and Technical Assistance by the Department. A. The Department may charge reasonable fees for cost-share and technical assistance it may render the landowner in implementing approved forestry practices. B. The fee may not exceed $12 for each affected acr…

.01 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Commissioned officer” means a Forest and Park Warden or Forest and Park Ranger having the meaning stated in Natural Resources Article, §5-206, Annotated Code of Maryland. …

.02 State Park System. Pending Changes This section will be changed by the following pending documents: May 25, 2026: Maryland Register, Volume 53, Issue 10 A. The State park system is administered under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Park Service to preserve and protect the be…

.03 Hunting. A. General. (1) The Superintendent may establish designated hunting areas, species to be hunted, methods of harvest, seasons, and weapons to be used within the State park system. (2) The designated areas shall be published annually in the Guide to Hunting and Trappin…

.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, s…

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

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

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