Sec. 25-124. Forest Management and Harvesting
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.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 25-124 (2026)
Sec. 25-124. Forest Management and HarvestingLinkCopy Citation
(a)
General
(1)
Properties that have been or will be harvested for forest products for commercial purposes within five (5) years of DRD or grading permit application submission shall be subject to this Division.
(2)
Forest harvesting for commercial purposes may be exempt from this Division and receive a Numbered Letter of Exemption if the criteria in Section 25-119(b)(6) are met.
(3)
Forests that have been harvested may be considered for use as woodland preservation if a report from a qualified professional states that the woodlands are in good condition, are in the process of regenerating, and contain limited amounts of invasive or exotic plants.
(4)
If a site has a pending DRD application, that application must receive signature approval prior to the commencement of forest harvesting operations.
(b)
Forest Management Activities Not Requiring a Grading or Forest Harvest Permit
(1)
The removal of less than five (5) cords or two thousand (2,000) board feet of wood per year for personal use is allowed if a stocking level of eighty (80) square feet of basal area is maintained, and the shrub layer, herbaceous layer, and the leaf litter remain intact.
(2)
Non-commercial forest management activities, such as trimming or stand improvement, are allowed performed in accordance with a Forest Management Plan prepared by a licensed forester when no forest products are removed from the site and acceptable stocking levels are maintained.
(3)
Non-commercial removal of other forest products such as mushrooms, nuts, or berries not requiring the use of motorized wheeled or tracked equipment is allowed, unless the activity will impair the health of the forest.
(c)
Exemptions for Forest Harvesting
(1)
A Numbered Letter of Exemption may be issued by the Planning Director for forest harvesting when the following apply:
(A)
There is no approved TCP for the subject property except as noted in (d) below;
(B)
There are no zoning requirements, Planning Board, Zoning Hearing Examiner or District Council approvals, or decisions pending for the site that would be adversely impacted by the proposed forest harvest;
(C)
The environmental setting of a designated historic district or historic resource would not be adversely impacted;
(D)
A Forest Management Plan prepared by a licensed forester is submitted with the application for the Numbered Letter of Exemption; and
(E)
A Declaration of Intent is submitted that states the property owner's intent to conduct a commercial forest harvest and not to develop the land within five years of the completion of the forest harvest.
(2)
Letters of Exemption for forest harvests shall remain valid for a period of five years following the date of issuance.
(d)
Commercial Forest Harvesting on Properties with a Previously Approved TCP
(1)
A property with an approved TCP shall not be issued a Numbered Letter of Exemption for forest harvesting.
(2)
Forest harvesting must be performed in accordance with a revised TCP2 approved for harvesting, and a Forest Management Plan prepared by a licensed forester.
(3)
A forest harvesting permit shall be obtained from the County permitting authority prior to commencement of the harvesting operation. The permit application shall include a forest harvest plan and an approved erosion and sediment control plan. The forest harvesting plan is 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.
(e)
Commercial Forest Harvesting on Properties without a Previously Approved TCP
(1)
If forest harvesting is proposed on a site without a previously approved TCP, a Numbered Letter of Exemption shall be issued by the Planning Director prior to the issuance of the forest harvesting permit by the County permitting authority.
(2)
A Forest Management Plan prepared by a licensed forester shall be submitted with the application for a Numbered Exemption.
(3)
A forest harvesting permit shall be obtained from the County permitting authority prior to the commencement of the harvesting operation. The permit application shall include an approved forest harvest plan and an approved erosion and sediment control plan. The forest harvesting plan is 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.
(4)
If a forest harvesting permit is issued for a property with an approved NRI or FSD, the NRI or FSD must be revised prior to the submittal of any subsequent DRD and grading permit applications to reflect the harvested area and the current condition of the woodlands remaining.