# Sec. 25-118. Definitions

Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.

## Sec. 25-118. Definitions

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 25-118 (2026)

(a) Definitions in other Subtitles of this Code shall apply to this Division except to the extent of any conflict with the definitions in this Section or the goals and purposes of this Division.

(b) The following terms used in this Division are defined as follows:

  (1) Abutting and adjacent property owner: The owner of property sharing a common boundary line, including property separated by a public right-of-way, with property subject to a proposed Tree Conservation Plan (TCP).

  (2) Activity: Any grading, site development or forest harvest which requires a permit under Subtitle 4 of the Prince George's County Code.

  (3) Afforestation: The establishment of a biological community of perpetual woodlands either through the planting of trees on an area from which trees have always or very long been absent, or the planting of open areas which are not presently in forest cover.

  (4) Afforestation threshold: The minimum amount of afforestation or reforestation that is required where the calculation of a woodland conservation threshold is greater than the acreage of the existing woodlands on-site, unless a condition of zoning approval has set the threshold to a specific percentage other than that established in this Division.

  (5) Agricultural activity: Aquaculture and farming activities including plowing, tillage, cropping, installation of best management practices, seeding, cultivating, the grazing and raising of livestock, sod production and other products cultivated as part of a recognized commercial enterprise, and harvesting for production of food and fiber products, excluding forest products. The definition includes tobacco, orchards, nursery stock, Christmas trees, aquaculture ponds, and other ponds used to conduct farming activities. Activities that result in a change to a land use other than agriculture are not agricultural activities. Structures or temporary storage areas related to sale of products are excluded from this definition.

  (6) Agricultural support structure: A structure, other than a building used for living facilities, necessary to sustain an agricultural activity.

  (7) Applicant: A person or persons applying for any land development-related plans or permits, including grading and sediment and erosion control permits.

  (8) Application: A package submitted for review under this Division.

  (9) Approving authority: The body that is responsible for approval of the application, in conformance with this Division and other applicable sections of County Code.

  (10) Associated plan or application: The application that generates the need for a TCP or Letter of Exemption.

  (11) Caliper: The diameter of a tree measured at two inches above the root collar.

  (12) Champion tree: The largest tree of its species within the United States, the State of Maryland, County, or municipality.

  (13) Clearing: The removal of any components which comprise a biological community of woodlands as allowed herein.

  (14) Conservation area: See "woodland conservation area".

  (15) Conservation easement: See Subtitle 24 of the County Code.

  (16) Conservation easement, woodland and wildlife habitat: See Subtitle 24 of the County Code.

  (17) Critical habitat: A habitat currently occupied by a rare, threatened, or endangered (RTE) species as determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

  (18) Critical habitat area: The critical habitat of a rare, threatened or endangered species and its surrounding protection area. A critical habitat area shall:

    (A) Be likely to contribute to the long-term survival of the species;

    (B) Be likely to be occupied by the species for the foreseeable future; and

    (C) Constitute habitat of the species which is considered critical by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

  (19) Declaration of Intent: A signed and notarized statement by a property owner or the property owner's agent as required by this Division certifying that the forest harvesting activities on the property owner's property:

    (A) Are exempt under this Division;

    (B) Do not circumvent the requirements of this Division or Natural Resources Article, §§ 5-103 and 5-1601—5-1612, Annotated Code of Maryland; and

    (C) Do not conflict with the purposes of any other Declaration of Intent.

  (20) Destruction of woodland: Any activity that significantly decreases the health or viability of woody vegetation, including individual trees, in an on-site woodland area. Destruction of woodlands includes, but is not limited to severe pruning, cutting, girdling, root mat disturbance, understory clearing or chemical/biological poisoning. Destruction of woodlands does not include control or removal of exotic, invasive or noxious plant species, removal of dead, dying or hazardous trees and/or forest management conducted in conformance with an approved forest management plan.

  (21) Development: Any activity that materially affects the condition or use of dry land, land under water, or any structure.

  (22) Development Review Division application (DRD application): For the purposes of this subtitle, development review division application is the application submitted to the Development Review Division. It does not include a grading permit application submitted to the Department of Permits, Inspections and Enforcement and applications subject to Mandatory Referral.

  (23) Diameter at breast height (DBH): The diameter of a tree measured at 4.5 feet above the ground.

  (24) Disturbance: The movement or removal of soil, impervious surfaces, or vegetation and/or leaf litter.

  (25) Erosion and sediment control plan: A signed and stamped plan approved by the Soil Conservation District.

  (26) Environmental Technical Manual (Technical Manual): A technical manual, as approved and amended by the Planning Board from time to time, that contains the requirements for submissions for conformance with the environmental regulations of the County Code. The manual includes a chapter titled Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Technical Manual that establishes standards for the implementation of this Division.

  (27) Exotic plants: Plants that are not native to the mid-Atlantic region but have been introduced to this region and may displace native species, changing the structure and composition of native plant communities.

  (28) Fee-in-lieu: Funds received by the County associated with compliance with this Division.

  (29) Forest: See "Woodland."

  (30) Forest conservation: See "Woodland conservation."

  (31) Forest Conservation Act: MD Code, Natural Resources, Title 5, Subtitle 16, et seq.

  (32) Forest conservation plan: See "Tree Conservation Plan."

  (33) Forest Conservation Program: See "Woodland Conservation Program".

  (34) Forest cover: See "Woodland."

  (35) Forest edge: See the Technical Manual.

  (36) Forest harvesting: A tree-cutting operation affecting one or more acres of forest within a one-year interval that disturbs 5,000 square feet or more of forest floor. Forest harvesting does not include grubbing and clearing of root mass. Forest harvesting is also known as "timber harvesting".

  (37) Forest harvest plan: A plan drawn to scale showing the regulated environmental features, the areas to be harvested, staging areas, proposed stream crossings, and the forest harvesting methods proposed for each area to be harvested.

  (38) Forest interior: Woodlands that are located a minimum of 300 feet from the nearest forest edge.

  (39) Forest interior dwelling species (FIDS): Species of birds which require large, connected forested tracts in order to breed successfully as described in the Technical Manual.

  (40) Forest interior dwelling species (FIDS) habitat: Woodland areas of sufficient size as to be favorable to the breeding of forest interior dwelling bird species which are assumed to be present if the majority of the forest is dominated by pole-sized or larger trees (five inches or greater diameter at breast height), or has a closed canopy; and meets one the following conditions:

    (A) The woodlands are a minimum of 50 acres in size and contain at least 10 acres of "forest interior" habitat which is located more than 300 feet from the nearest forest edge; or

    (B) Riparian forests at least 50 acres in size with a minimum average width of 300 feet within the watershed of a regulated stream.

  (41) Forest management activity: Activities such as the harvesting of forest products, thinning, wildlife habitat management, and watershed protection as identified on a Forest Management Plan as prepared by a licensed forester.

  (42) Forest Management Plan: A plan signed and sealed by a licensed forester that establishes best conservation and management practices for a property owner in assessment of the resource values of forested properties. A Forest Management Plan shall be prepared in conformance with the Technical Manual and shall outline forest management activities needed to meet the stated objectives for a minimum of ten years. May also be referred to as a Forest Stewardship Plan.

  (43) Forest products: Trees removed from a site using selective or clear-cutting methods for commercial use. Forest products do not include mushrooms, nuts, berries or similar items.

  (44) Forest Stand Delineation (FSD): A detailed accounting of existing woody vegetation on a site, prepared in plan and document form, as required by this Division, and as explained in the Technical Manual.

  (45) Government project: Projects conducted by or for any public or quasi-public agency. A project is deemed a government project if all or a portion of the funding comes from governmental sources.

  (46) Green infrastructure: The interconnected natural areas benefiting wildlife and humans, as designated on the Green Infrastructure Network Map, as defined further in the approved Countywide Green Infrastructure Plan. Green infrastructure may also refer to green stormwater solutions that use plants or mimic natural systems.

  (47) Hazardous tree: Any tree where a hazardous condition is present which would lead a knowledgeable person trained in the field of arboriculture to believe that the specific condition could result in the tree or a portion of the tree falling and striking a structure or activity area (target), thus threatening property damage and/or personal injury.

  (48) Habitat enhancement: The removal of exotic or invasive species and/or the planting of native plants to improve the quality of the vegetation within an area designated for woodland conservation.

  (49) Historic tree: A tree that is 2 inches DBH located within the environmental setting of a historic site or historic resource that is included in the County's Master Plan for Historic Preservation, or that is associated with a historic cemetery or historic structure not included in the master plan.

  (50) Invasive non-native vegetation: See "invasive species".

  (51) Invasive species: A plant as identified in the Technical Manual or authoritative related sources that shows a tremendous capacity for reproduction and distribution which results in a negative impact on native plant species or environmental, economic, or public welfare priorities.

  (52) Landscaping: The installation of trees and shrubs in an area that is formally maintained over time. Landscaped areas that are not planted to meet the minimum stocking levels or design criteria required by this subtitle are not considered afforestation areas.

  (53) Letter of Exemption: A letter prepared based on required information to verify that the site or the proposed activity is exempt from this Division.

  (54) Licensed forester: An individual who is licensed by the Maryland State Board of Foresters to practice forestry.

  (55) Linear project: A project whose configuration is elongated with nearly parallel sides and is used to transport a utility product or public service not contained in a DRD application, such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, communications, trains, and vehicles. Linear projects may traverse fee simple properties through defined project boundaries, or established easement rights.

  (56) Logging: See "forest harvesting."

  (57) Maintenance agreement: The short-term management agreement associated with afforestation or reforestation plans required under this Division and the Natural Resources Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (58) Mitigation: The off-setting of forest lost due to the destruction of woodlands without a permit or contrary to an approved TCP by replanting woodlands or other means in conformance with this Division.

  (59) Licensed Tree Expert: A tree expert licensed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

  (60) Municipal tree planting plan or program: A plan or program prepared and adopted by a municipality for tree planting, tree preservation, or both within the jurisdiction.

  (61) Native plant species: Plants that are native to the Mid-Atlantic region, as identified in the Technical Manual.

  (62) Natural regeneration: The establishment or re-establishment of a biological community of woodlands from nearby seed sources without afforestation with at least 400 free-to-grow woody native seedlings per acre that are capable of reaching a height of at least 20 feet at maturity.

  (63) Natural Resource Inventory (NRI): A plan map and supporting documentation that provides all required information regarding the existing physical, cultural and environmental conditions on a site that is approved by the Planning Director as described in the Technical Manual.

  (64) Net tract area: For the purposes of this Division, the gross tract area minus the approved 100-year floodplain and minus any areas previously dedicated for public use.

  (65) Off-site: Land that is not part of the subject application.

  (66) Off-site clearing: Clearing related to the subject application that occurs outside the limits of the subject application

  (67) Off-site woodland conservation: The fulfillment of any portion of the conservation requirement for a property at an off-site location.

  (68) One hundred (100) year floodplain: See Subtitle 32 of the County Code.

  (69) On-site: On the same lot or parcel or combination of lots and parcels as identified in the subject application.

  (70) Permittee: Any person to whom a permit is issued pursuant to this Division.

  (71) Planning Director: The director of the Prince George's County Planning Department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission or the Director's designee.

  (72) Preservation: The protection of existing woodlands for the purpose of meeting the requirements of this Division.

  (73) Previously dedicated land: Land that was dedicated for public use prior to submission of the first TCP application. This term typically applies to road dedications.

  (74) Primary Management Area (PMA): See Subtitle 24 of the County Code.

  (75) Priority Funding Area: The Priority Funding Areas of Prince George's County as determined by the Maryland Department of Planning.

  (76) Qualified conservation: the conservation of all or part of an existing forest that:

    (A) Has been approved by the appropriate State or local forest conservation program for the purpose of establishing off-site woodland conservation; and

    (B) Is encumbered in perpetuity by a restrictive easement, covenant, or other similar mechanism recorded in the County land records to conserve its character as woodlands.

  (77) Qualified professional: A licensed forester, a licensed landscape architect, or other qualified professional approved by the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

  (78) Reforestation: The re-establishment of a biological community of perpetual woodlands through the planting of trees on an area from which trees were recently removed.

  (79) Regulated Environmental Features: See Subtitle 24 of the County Code.

  (80) Regulated stream: See Subtitle 24 of the County Code.

  (81) Seedling: An un-branched woody plant, less than 24 inches in height and having a caliper of less than one-half inch measured at two inches above the root collar.

  (82) Selective clearing: The deliberate and planned removal of tree shrubs and plants using specific standards and protection measures in accordance with an approved TCP.

  (83) Significant tree: A tree of any species that is 24 inches or greater in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground.

  (84) Specimen tree: Trees having a diameter at breast height of 30 inches or more; trees having 75% or more of the diameter at breast height of the current champion of that species; or a particularly impressive or unusual example of a species due to its size, shape, age or any other trait that epitomizes the character of the species. This definition includes all champion trees designated by the United States, the State of Maryland, the County, or a municipality.

  (85) Stormwater Management Structure: See Subtitle 32 of the County Code.

  (86) Stream: see "Regulated stream".

  (87) Stream buffer: See Subtitle 24 of the County Code. Stream buffers are delineated in accordance with the Technical Manual.

  (88) Stream restoration: An activity that:

    (A) Is designed to stabilize stream banks or enhance stream function or habitat located within an existing stream, waterway, or floodplain;

    (B) Avoids and minimizes impacts to forests and provides for replanting on-site an equivalent number of trees to the number removed by the project;

    (C) May be performed under a municipal separate storm sewer system permit, a watershed implementation plan growth offset, or another plan administered by the State or local government to achieve or maintain water quality standards; and

    (D) Is not performed to satisfy stormwater management, wetlands mitigation, or any other regulatory requirement associated with proposed development activity.

  (89) Transit-oriented center: A transit-oriented center means: Transit-oriented developments which are consistent with Section 7-101 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and are identified within Plan 2035 as regional transit districts or local centers. This does not include those areas identified as Local Town Centers in Plan 2035.

  (90) Tree: A plant with a woody stem capable of achieving a height of at least 20 feet at maturity.

  (91) Tree Conservation Plan (TCP): A site map that delineates woodland conservation areas and associated text that includes items such as requirements, penalties, and mitigation in conformance with this Division and the Technical Manual.

  (92) Tree Management Plan: A plan and text prepared to describe specific methods to be implemented before, during, and after construction to ensure the preservation of designated specimen, champion, historic, or significant trees.

  (93) Tree protection devices: Those devices that are required to be installed prior to the clearing and grading of a site for the protection of preserved areas, areas to be planted, and around specimen, champion, and historic trees. These devices may be temporary or permanent as specified on the TCP. Tree protection devices for afforestation or reforestation areas may be installed after tree planting if the areas are shown to be graded.

  (94) Understory vegetation: Plants growing in association with trees in a woodland. The understory includes the biological community of plants that includes trees, shrubs, and forbs that grow under the shaded canopy of larger trees and is a vital component of a perpetual woodland.

  (95) WCO variance (variance): Relief from this Division as specified in Sub 25-119(d). WCO variance does not mean a zoning variance.

  (96) Watershed: The Maryland 12-digit watershed delineation as defined by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

  (97) Whip: An un-branched woody plant greater than 24 inches in height and having a caliper of less than one inch measured at two inches above the root collar.

  (98) Woodland: A perpetual biological community dominated by trees and other woody or herbaceous plants covering a land area of 10,000 square feet or greater. This includes areas that have at least 100 trees per acre with at least 50 trees that are 2 inches or greater in diameter at breast height. This also includes areas that have been forest harvested where the stumps remain in place for future regeneration. The terms "woodland," "forest," and "forest cover" are synonymous and do not include orchards or other areas without multiple layers of woody and herbaceous vegetation.

  (99) Woodland conservation area: An area of preservation of existing woodlands, reforestation, afforestation, natural regeneration, landscaping or other approved method that has been specifically identified for protection or restoration on an approved TCP in order to satisfy the requirements of this Division.

  (100) Woodland conservation threshold: The minimum requirement for any site calculated as a percentage of the net tract area with the percentage based on its zoning per Subtitle 25-121.

  (101) Woodland conservation bank: A lot or parcel, or portions of a lot or parcel, that has been intentionally preserved or afforested as perpetual woodlands and has been protected by the documents recorded in the land records for the purpose of meeting the requirements of this Division for land development activities occurring on another property in the County.

  (102) Woodland Conservation Fund: The County fund where fee-in-lieu funds excluding fee -in-lieu associated with the removal of Specimen and Historic Trees are held.

  (103) Woodland conservation replacement requirement: The minimum requirement for any site calculated as replacement for woodland cleared based on the criteria in Section 25-121.

  (104) Woodland retained - assumed cleared: Existing woodlands that are not proposed to be cleared with the initial development, which are not credited to meet the requirements of this Division, and have a high likelihood of being cleared in the future. In determining the woodland conservation requirement, areas labeled "woodland retained - assumed cleared" are calculated as cleared. Areas labeled "woodland retained - assumed cleared" may be removed during the development process or after bond release without requiring a revision to the TCP.

  (105) Woodland retained - not credited: Existing woodlands that are not proposed to be cleared and are not credited to meet to meet the requirements of this Division because the areas do not meet the required standards to be credited as woodland conservation. In the determination of the woodland conservation requirement, areas labeled "woodland retained - not credited" are not calculated as cleared. Areas labeled "woodland retained - not credited" on individual residential lots less than one acre in size may be removed after bond release on the project without a revision to the TCP.

  (106) Woody vegetation: Plants with persistent stems lasting more than one year and increasing in diameter annually.

  (107) Other Terms: Definitions in Title 5, Subtitle 16 of the Natural Resources Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, COMAR 08.19.01.03, "Definitions," COMAR 08.19.03.01 "Forest and Tree Conservation Definitions," are incorporated by reference and shall apply to the extent such terms which are not defined in this Section or the Technical Manual.