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Sustainable Growth & Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012
The Maryland General Assembly approved the Sustainable Growth & Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 (Senate Bill 236), also known as the septics bill, during the 2012 General Assembly session.
Governor O'Malley issued Executive Order 01.01.2011.05 on June 21, 2011 that created the Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal Commission. The 2012 bill was spurred by vigorous debate on the issue during the 2011 legislative session. This bill was introduced following the recommendations of this task force.
Governor O'Malley signed the Sustainable Growth & Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 into law on May 2, 2012.
Septics Law Implementation
As part of its technical assistance responsibility under SB 236, MDP is providing guidance to local jurisdictions and a web mapping application. The web application provides the key components for local jurisdictions to create their tier map. MDP is also available to help jurisdictions that might need additional assistance.
Click here for Septics Law Implementation
Why is the law important?
The Act represents a promise of the State to be a good steward of its rural, forested, resource and agricultural lands. It also renews the State's commitment to promote growth in areas that are planned for it and have the infrastructure in place for it.
"The Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 is a major step forward for issues that have been kept separate for too long: smart growth and protecting our streams, rivers and bays. The initiative significantly strengthens Maryland's role as a national model for these issues. If implemented correctly, it will more effectively address the proliferation of residential, large-lot sprawl on farm and forest land, and the related problems of bay pollution and rising public infrastructure costs.” - Richard Eberhart Hall, Maryland Secretary of Planning
What does it mean for Maryland citizens?
The new law promotes greater accountability and predictability of development by establishing four tiers of growth – those areas which will be served by public sewer and those employing on-site waste disposal, or septic, systems. Local jurisdictions are encouraged to map those areas. Residents in a community will know where their county or municipality is planning for major and minor subdivisions on septic.
This page was last updated: 2013-02-01