Critical Area Interactive Map

This Interactive Mapping Tool has been created to provide timely and current information about the Critical Area Mapping Update Project. The color in the legend and the title of the map are very important. These indicate the status of the map and provide important information about how the map should be used. Users of the Interactive Mapping Tool are advised to read the map status information carefully to make sure that the map being viewed can be used for the viewer’s intended purpose. Only maps for jurisdictions in green text and shown graphically as shaded in green are complete and final maps. These maps have been updated in accordance with the provisions of COMAR 27.01.11.01 – 07, and approved by the local government and the Critical Area Commission and are considered the Official Critical Area Map for the jurisdiction. All other maps are draft maps and should not be used for project review and application processes.

Search

  • Address
  • Account#
  • Map#
Search for property (parcel) by Address
Search for property (parcel) by account number
Search for property (parcel) by Map Number and Parcel Number

Instructions

Welcome to Critical Area web map application

This Map viewer application that allows you the opportunity to input your property information and view the updated Critical Area boundary and designations.

Getting started

Side bar

Sidebar contains feature navigation for this application such as search, legends, email, printing, and these instructions. Each of these features will be described in more details below. Click on one of the icons to open the tab for that feature.

Mouse Navigation

Mouse interaction on the map

Panning
Panning shifts the map in any direction to show a different area without changing the viewing scale. Click on the map, keeping your finger on the mouse. The cursor changes shape to a hand grab icon. Move, or drag, the map view until the map is positioned where you want it. When you release the mouse, the map automatically refreshes to the new view.
Double click zoom
Double-clicking on the map allows you to zoom in one level on the map, centering on the point clicked.
Scroll zoom
You can hold the mouse button on the map then move the mouse wheel, or scroll function, forward one click at a time to zoom in on map in small increments. Backward one click at a time to zoom out in small increments.
Box Zoom
The map can be zoomed to a rectangular area specified by dragging the mouse while pressing shift.

Controls

Map controls

Identify

Identify tool allows you to identify a parcel/property to determine critical area status.
Click on the identify tool button to activate the tool. Once activated, the button will turn blue. Then, click on the map at town level, where parcels are visible on the map, to identify the parcel. After the parcel is identified, the tool will automatically deactivate.

Note that you can only start identifying parcels once a county has been selected. See County Map for more details.

Click on the highlighted parcel to view the details.

Measure tools

The measuring tools help estimate area of a parcel and distance of the parcel to critical area. Activate the tool by clicking on the tool button and draw polygon/polyline on the map to start measuring. Click on the map at one point then move the mouse to another point and click again to get the result. Double click to finish drawing.

Layer switcher

Street map and imagery base map layers can be switched dynamically using this switcher. County and critical area overlay can also be switched off/on. They are on by default.

Using the map

County Map

Allows selecting a county

County

You can select a county directly from the map as the image below by simply clicking on the map when mouse is over a county. Once county is selected, the map will show critical area designations and parcel layer for that county. Note that parcels are only visible at zoom level 15 (town level). Zoom in closer if they are not visible on the map.

Legend

Map legend

There are two types of legend in this app. One represents map statuses and the other describes critical area designations. You can view the legends by clicking on the "globe" icon on the side bar.

Map status

This legend describes map status for counties and towns in maryland.

Designation

This legend describes critical area designations, which may vary by county

Legend detail

  This button on each legend lets you view legend description in more detail.

Property Search

Identify parcel/property to determine critical area status using map, and by street address, Tax account number, map and parcel number.

Select parcel on map

Use Identify tool described above to select a parcel on the map.

By address

Address tool is used to search for an address of a parcel location in a selected county. Address search is ready to take address once a county is selected. Address can be entered to address. Click the “Search” button to start the search. Address cannot be blank.

Account number

Similar to address search tool, county must be specified before the tool can be activated. Once county is selected, account number can be entered to the box. Click on the “Search” button to start. Account number must contain 10 to 14 digits to be valid.

Map & parcel number

This tool allows entering the 4 digit map and parcel numbers. Map number and parcel number are also validated. If the numbers are not digits an error will occur and the search will not be processed. This search method might return multiple parcels. In that case simply hover on the interested parcel on the map to view the info.

Property info

Parcel/property info is loaded after each search is complete. This info is in a popup window opened automatically on the selected parcel.

This box shows property owner's name, address, account number, map and parcel number, and critical area status (determination).

Print and Email

Print

(located on sidebar)

Allows printing the map's current image along with current property with its status information if available. Legends also are included in the print out. Open print tab in sidebar, then click print button after selecting a parcel to start printing process.

Important note on printing in Internet Explorer (IE) and FireFox. In order to print the map and legends properly in IE and FireFox, "Print background Colors and Images" option setting must be turned on. To enable this feature, in IE go to Tools -> Print -> Page Setup. For FireFox, FireFox button -> Print -> Page Setup. A window will pop up as shown in the screenshots below. Make sure that the "Print Background Colors and Images" is checked. Also, "Enable Shrink-to-fit" option should be turned off to print at the correct scale.

Google Chrome should be able to print out the map without any changes in settings.

Email

Email form is located in email tab on the side bar

This feature allows you to share the current property on the map via email. Fill out the email of the recipient(s) form and enter your message then click send. The email will contain a link that allows the recipient(s) to view the property that you have searched for.

Legend

  • Map Status
    Initiated map
    Working draft map
    Summary draft map
    Final approved map
    Unavailable
  • Designation
    IDA
    LDA
    RCA
    RCA-DMCF
    UWET
    Federal
    Excluded
  • Boundary
    Approved Critical Area Boundary
    Proposed Boundary
    Current Boundary
    Street Map Parcel
    Imagery Parcel

Print Map

Click the button below to print the map. Note that you must select a parcel/property before printing, otherwise a blank map will be printed.

Print

ESRGC Logo

Critical Area Map Status Information

This Interactive Mapping Tool has been created to provide timely and current information about the Critical Area Mapping Update Project. The color in the legend and the title of the map are very important. These indicate the status of the map and provide important information about how the map should be used. Users of the Interactive Mapping Tool are advised to read the map status information carefully to make sure that the map being viewed can be used for the viewer’s intended purpose. Only maps for jurisdictions in green text and shown graphically as shaded in green are complete and final maps. These maps have been updated in accordance with the provisions of COMAR 27.01.11.01 – 07, and approved by the local government and the Critical Area Commission and are considered the Official Critical Area Map for the jurisdiction. All other maps are draft maps and should not be used for project review and application processes.

Map Status

Map Initiated - The map for this county and its municipalities is being developed and checked for accuracy. It is incomplete and not yet ready to be posted for review.

Working Draft Map – This interactive map shows the current Critical Area boundary and the proposed Critical Area boundary and proposed land use classifications for the County and municipalities. This is a draft map that is currently being reviewed for completeness, accuracy and consistency. It is currently being refined and modified and is available for local review on-line and at public information meetings.

This is not a final map product and should not be used for project review and application purposes.

Summary Draft Map – This interactive map shows the current Critical Area boundary and the proposed Critical Area boundary and proposed land use classifications for the County and municipalities. This map is based on the Working Draft Map, which has been revised and completed. This map has been officially transferred from the State to the local government for final review and approval. The local government must review, and as necessary revise, the map so that is can be adopted within two years of the date of transmittal.

This is not a final map product and should not be used for project review and application purposes.

Final Approved Map – This interactive map shows the official updated Critical Area boundary and land use classifications for the County and municipalities. The map development, review, and approval process is complete. The posted map is the official Critical Area Map that has been approved by the local government and the Critical Area Commission.

This is the official Critical Area Map, updated in accordance with the provisions of COMAR 27.01.11.01 - 07.

Map Unavailable – The map for this county and its municipalities has not been started. Relevant data has been acquired, and work will be started within 18 months.

Designation

IDA – The IDA or Intensely Developed Area classification is used for developed or urbanized areas with mixed uses and little natural habitat.

LDA – The LDA or Limited Development Area classification is used for areas of low and moderate intensity development.

RCA – The RCA or Resource Conservation Area classification is used for relatively undeveloped areas with primarily agriculture, forestry, and open space land uses.

RCA-DMCF Resource Conservation Area - Dredge Material Containment Facility. This classification is used for Hart-Miller Island in Baltimore County and Poplar Island in Talbot County and represents areas of mixed wetlands and uplands that have been created to accommodate the beneficial use of dredge material to reconstruct islands for habitat and conservation purposes.

UWET – Areas of wetlands that at the time of original mapping were not classified as IDA, LDA, or RCA because they were believed to be below mean high water. Transitional areas of mud flats, marshy hummocks, and eroding wetlands that were not originally classified and may have migrated or have been reconfigured due to natural tidal conditions are also included.

FED - Federal Land. These are lands that are owned by the Federal government and are not classified as RCA, LDA, or IDA because activities on these lands are not directly regulated through the State's Critical Area Program but are regulated through the Coastal Zone Management Act.

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