The recently concluded session of the Maryland General Assembly adopted legislation intended to limit the creation of new building lots to be served by on-site septic systems. House Bill 236, commonly referred to as the “Septic Bill,” allows property owners to be “grandfathered’ (remain vested under current regulations).
Pursuant to Implementation Guidelines issued on May 22, projects may be grandfathered as long as a “signed and sealed” subdivision layout plan (such as is currently required for Health Department Perc testing) is submitted to the Department of Land Use & Growth Management before July 1, 2012. This layout plan will not have to go through a review process but will be expected to meet current zoning density requirements.
Land owners who wish to be “grandfathered” should contact a licensed surveyor or engineer as soon as possible. The subdivision layout plan should be submitted to the Department of Land Use & Growth Management, with a Perc Test Application and a $15.00 fee, no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, June 29th. Perc test fees will not be required until next spring’s Perc testing period.
For more information, contact Permits Coordinator, Harry Knight, at the Department of Land Use and Growth Management, or by calling 301-475-4200 extension 1560.
