FAQs

Impervious surface is a surface that does not permit water to run through the surface (i.e., a driveway). Pervious is the exact opposite. In a pervious surface, water can freely run through and drain from said surface. Every lot is zoned to allow a certain amount of impervious surface coverage; thus, if a particular lot has reached its maximum impervious amount, future expansion may be limited. This is one of the most complex and important issues in expanding the footprint of an existing property. There have been major changes in the regulations about impervious surface recently. Call us if you have questions; we work with some of the people who helped write the new regulations.

The waterfront side of the property is legally considered the front of the property for permitting purposes. This has ramifications on what can be built, and what the setbacks are from the property lines. In order to avoid confusion we always refer to the “waterside” and the “street side.” Give us a call if you want to know setbacks and permitted uses for each zoning classification.

MLW stands for “mean low water.” It refers to the water depth at an average low tide. However, there are a few other factors to consider. First, the MLW measurement in the multiple list system is usually provided by the seller. Sellers have been known to “over-estimate” the MLW at their docks. Second, water depth in the Annapolis area is frequently controlled more by the wind than the tide, so you can have high tide and low water depth simultaneously if the wind is strong from the north. “Mr. Waterfront” Buyer Experts have a system for establishing “true” normal water depth based on marine growth on the pilings. Ask one of them to explain the system and measure the water the next time you are out looking at homes.

There are a number of consultants in the area who will prepare and submit a pier permit for you. I have also shown several clients who wanted to save money how to “do it yourself.” It is a fairly simple procedure once you have all the state and county forms (approval is required from both Anne Arundel County and from the Maryland Department of the Environment) – just time-consuming and tedious.

The Critical Area is the land area 1,000 feet inland from tidal water or tidal wetlands. The buffer zone, on the other hand, has restrictions on construction, clearing, and vegetation management within the minimum 100-foot buffer along the shoreline. Other factors may increase the buffer and extend it beyond the standard 100-foot mark. Give us a call and we can give you more info or help you evaluate the property you are considering.

Absolutely. You need to determine if there are any shallow spots or sandbars between the house you are considering and open water. These most frequently occur at the mouth of creeks and at sharp bends in creeks. You will also need to check for bridges between your dock and open water. The upper South River is very deep but does not permit most sail boats because of the height of the Riva Road bridge. Tell your “Mr. Waterfront” Buyer Expert the height, draft and beam of your vessel and they will make sure that the waterways and slip at the home you are considering can accommodate your boat.

Property taxes are based on the estimate of a property’s value (comprised of a land portion and an improvement portion and together called “the assessment”) and the tax rate per dollar of assessed value (“the mil rate”). Consequently, a waterfront and a non-waterfront property with the same assessment would both pay the same real estate taxes in Anne Arundel County. I am not aware of any additional “waterfront tax,” although a waterfront property probably has a higher assessment for land than non-waterfront.

Mold requires a moisture source to grow – usually a pipe leak, ground water intrusion, or a crack in the building envelope such as around windows or flashing. The presence of water in the nearby river should not increase the likelihood of mold in a well-built house. Of course, if a house is in a flood zone or floods during storms this would be a serious concern. Check with your “Mr. Waterfront” Buyer Expert to find out if a home has a history of flooding or if there is evidence of mold from other causes.

Maybe. With the exception of maintenance dredging of existing channels and basins that have been previously dredged, dredging of shallow water habitats in areas of less than three feet at mean low water is not permitted unless approved by the appropriate state and federal agencies. We have worked with a number of homeowners to get deeper water permits and would be happy to assist you.

A Location Survey shows the location of the improvements on the property in relation to the apparent boundary lines of the property. It generally involves a physical inspection of the property and is accurate to plus or minus a few feet. A Boundary Survey is used to identify a property’s boundary lines. In this type of survey, the surveyor will set (or recover) the property corners and produce a detailed plat or map. To accomplish this, the surveyor will research the public records and do research in the field, take measurements and perform calculations. An Elevation Survey shows the hight of your finished space above the flood areas and is used to determine if you need flood insurance. A Topographical Survey is made to determine the configuration of the earth’s surface and to locate natural and cultural features on it. Call us and we will explain which type of survey is best for the particular situation, and which companies provide those services.