Maryland · off-grid water rights
Whether a new off-grid home can legally get its own water in Maryland: the state well and water-rights rules, then the 5 counties where a specific groundwater basin adds a catch — each cited to the state water agency.
Maryland water rules
Individual domestic use is exempt from the Maryland water appropriation permit (COMAR 26.17.06); a well-construction permit is still required, and non-domestic/large withdrawals (>10,000 gpd) need an appropriation permit.
Limit: individual domestic use exempt from appropriation permit
Maryland MDE — Water Appropriation Permits ↗Appropriation permit since 1933; domestic/ag under 10,000 gpd exempt.
National Agricultural Law Center ↗5 constrained counties in Maryland
See the full Maryland county ranking, compare states on the water-rights hub, or read how we score water access. We dim physical water — never erased — where a county sits in one of these basins, household-first.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
