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Establishing a 6-Month Temporary Moratorium on Processing New Forest Conservation Plan Applications
For the purpose of establishing a temporary moratorium on the processing of new forest conservation plan applications for a period of 6 months from the effective date of this ordinance.
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City Council of the
City of Annapolis
Ordinance 19-26
Introduced by: Mayor Littmann
Co-sponsored by:
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Establishing a 6-Month Temporary Moratorium on Processing New Forest Conservation Plan Applications
FOR the purpose of establishing a temporary moratorium on the processing of new forest conservation plan applications for a period of 6 months from the effective date of this ordinance.
WHEREAS, Chapter 21.71 of the City Code (Forest Conservation) regulates forest conservation in the City of Annapolis; and
WHEREAS, On May 8, 2023, Governor Moore signed Senate Bill (“SB”) 526, titled “Natural Resources - Forest Preservation and Retention,” into law, changing Maryland’s Forest Conservation Act, with the aim of enhancing afforestation and reforestation requirements, and allowing local jurisdictions to adopt alternative regulations, provided they receive approval from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which changes in State law become effective July 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, The City Council deems it necessary, desirable, and in the public interest to temporarily suspend the processing of new forest conservation applications pending the City’s update of Chapter 21.71 to ensure consistency with SB 526, evaluate the adoption of new alternative or more stringent regulations, and preserve existing portions of the City Code that are more stringent than State law.
SECTION I: BE IT ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that:
1. No new forest conservation plan applications shall be accepted or processed by any department or agency of the City of Annapolis for a period of 6 months following the effective date of this ordinance.
2. This moratorium shall not apply to forest conservation plan applications that were formally submitted and accepted for review by the City prior to the effective date of this Ordinance. Such applications shall continue to be processed pursuant to the City Code to the extent permitted by law. In the event of a conflict between the City Code and State law, the provision that is more stringent or affords greater forest conservation protection to the City shall apply.
3. This temporary moratorium shall automatically expire upon the passage of six (6) months from the effective date hereof, unless earlier terminated or extended by a duly adopted ordinance of the City Council.
SECTION II: AND BE IT FINALLY ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this ordinance shall take effect upon passage.