Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

Permits and Variances for Solar Panels, Calculation of Impervious Cover

Program Overview


Category:
Regulatory Policy
Program Type:
Solar/Wind Permitting Standards
Implementing Sector:
State
State:
Maryland
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Solar Water Heat, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Solar Photovoltaics
Applicable Sectors:
Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Agricultural, Institutional
Last Updated:
10/17/2014

Summary

In May 2012, Maryland enacted legislation stating that any calculation of "impervious surface" required by state or local authorities as part of a permit or variance relating to zoning, construction, or stormwater may only include the foundation or base supporting the solar panel. The law generally applies statewide, including charter counties and Baltimore City. It does not however apply in a defined "critical area", including the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and the Coastal Bays Critical Area. The term "solar panel" is not specifically defined, but presumably would include both solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal panels.


Authorities

NameEnacted DateEffective DateExpired Date
Md. Land Use Code § 1-40105/22/201210/01/2012
Md. Land Use Code § 10-10305/22/201210/01/2012
Md. Land Use Code § 4-21005/22/201210/01/2012