Sinkhole, Storm Drain, Channel and Ditch Maintenance

1. I am having a drainage problem on my property. Who should I call and how can the County assist?

If the drainage problem is on the county road or county right-of-way (for example, clogged storm drain, ponding water in the road, etc.), please click HERE to enter a service request by selecting “Storm Drain, Channel, Ditch Maintenance.” The complaint will be sent to Department of Public Works for inspection.

If you believe your roadway is maintained a municipality, you should contact that municipality for assistance.

If the roadway is a state-maintained road, please click HERE to submit a service request with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). State-maintained roads are identified as numbered road (i.e., MD Route 704, MD Route 5, MD Route 214).

If the drainage problem is on your private property, please click HERE to enter a service request by selecting “Flooding/ Water Run-Off Issues.” The complaint will be sent to the Department of the Environment (DOE) for inspection.

2. The small drain near my basement door is blocked and causing my house to flood. What can be done?

This is an areaway drain and is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain. The resident should often check to see if the small grate is clogged and clear it, if necessary. If the grate is clear, a plumber should be contacted by the resident to ensure the pipe leading from the areaway drain is clear and free of obstructions.

3. The opening to the storm drain in front of my house appears to be large enough for a child to go through. Who is responsible for fixing this?

Please click HERE to enter a service request, by selecting “Storm Drain, Channel, Ditch Maintenance.” An inspector from the Department of Public Works, Office of Highway Maintenance (OHM) will inspect and determine responsibility. Also, determine if the opening is too large, too small and/or address any corrective actions needed.

4. There is a drainage ditch on the county’s right-of-way, along the front of my property. Who is responsible for clearing debris from the ditch and removing overgrowth?

Sedimentation buildup, erosion or any other functional issue should be reported to the Department of Public Works, Office of Highway Maintenance, to have the site inspected. Please click HERE to enter a service request by selecting “Storm Drain, Channel, Ditch Maintenance.”

Removal of snow, ice, trash, weeds, etc., would fall under the County’s Abutter’s Ordinance. Division 4, Sec 23-150 - Duty of removing snow, ice, weeds and debris states it is the responsibility of the property owner.

5. I’ve seen several stray cats coming in and out of the storm drain. Who should I call?

Several animals, such as, cats, squirrels, raccoons, etc., do go in and out of the storm drain structures for shelter. Unfortunately, this is not a request the Office of Highway Maintenance would handle. Please contact Animal Control at 301-780-7200 if you believe the animal is rabid or discuss having the animals captured and removed from the storm drain.