Forest Conservation Program
The Forest Conservation Law aims to save, maintain and plant forested areas for the benefit of county residents and future generations. Trees and forests filter groundwater, slow stormwater runoff, help alleviate flooding and supply wildlife habitat. Trees cleanse the air, offset the heat generated by development and reduce energy needs. And in a less tangible sense, trees improve quality of life in a community by providing recreation and visual appeal. In 2007, the Montgomery County Planning Board proposed a revised Forest Conservation Law to clarify who the law applies to and what’s required if it does.
Witness a potential forest conservation violation? Call 301-495-1314.
Are You Subject to the Forest Conservation Law?
Owners of properties greater than 40,000 square feet who are required to submit a development plan, request a mandatory referral or special exception, or obtain a sediment control permit must comply with Forest Conservation Law provisions. Depending upon the amount of forest proposed to be removed, the property owner may qualify for an exemption from submitting a forest conservation plan.
Check out our new flow charts to find out what whether our conservation provisions apply to you. Answering these sets of questions will help you determine your next steps related to conserving our forests. View our decision tree for applicants of development plans, mandatory referrals, special exceptions, and/or sediment control permits or view our single-lot decision tree.
Anyone with property greater than 40,000 square feet in Montgomery County must complete a natural resource inventory, a complete picture of the natural resources to identify streams, slopes, critical habitat and other features. We also ask for a detailed summary of existing forest and its characteristics. Results of your application will determine whether you need to file a forest conservation plan.
If You Qualify for Forest Conservation
If you are required to file a forest conservation plan, you must follow the steps below. Read our checklists to learn what you must include on your plan.
View preliminary forest conservation plan checklist | View the final forest conservation plan checklist
Submission requirements| Application | Fee schedule
Related Documents
Conservation Easements:
Category 1 easement
Category 2 easement
Maintenance agreements:
Maintenance agreement onsite
Maintenance agreement offsite
Maintenance in a Special Protection Area (SPA)
Additional plan elements:
Standard notes for forest conservation
Forest conservation sequence of events
Inspection requirements
Forest conservation worksheet
Financial Instruments:
Why we require security bonds for forest conservation
Performance bond
Letter of credit
Proposed Forest Conservation Law Revisions
To help property owners protect trees and forest when they subdivide or build in Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Planning Board drafted a new Forest Conservation Law to clarify who the law applies to and what’s required if it does. The Planning Board's recommendations went to the Montgomery County Council for consideration and final action.
View the Planning Board's 2007 draft Forest Conservation Law
Existing Forest Conservation Law
2007 Forest Conservation Law background
Forest Conservation Regulations
This document details how to comply with the Forest Conservation Law. Copies of both the law and regulations are available at the Information Counter, 2nd Floor, M-NCPPC, 8787 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910 or Environmental Planning, Room 124.
Forest Conservation Worksheet (Excel file)
Includes formulae for calculating forest conservation acreage requirements.
M-NCPPC Staff Contact:
Mark Pfefferle
Mark.Pfefferle@mncppc-mc.org
301-495-4730
