County Lifts Monthslong Development Moratorium

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — County Executive Steuart Pittman on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of a sewer capacity moratorium that halted development projects for months.

With the moratorium lifted, the county will allow three projects that were in the pipeline to move forward. Overall, the decision had delayed more than 20 projects, according to the Banner.

An agreement settled with the Maryland Aviation Administration stipulates the county will now "borrow unused wastewater treatment capacity" from the BWI Marshall Airport.

“BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is committed to being a good neighbor and a collaborative partner in Anne Arundel County,” said Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director/CEO Shannetta Griffin.

“We are proud to help support our local economy by temporarily making excess sewer capacity available. This agreement is an opportunity to advance responsible infrastructure planning and development.”

Related: Development Suspended In Parts Of Anne Arundel Co.

The building freeze was implemented in late February after the Department of Public Works determined the county's sewage system reached its max capacity.

The DPW had previously explained that limits laid out in multijurisdictional agreements with Baltimore County and City prevented officials from easing capacity limits for sewage that flows to the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The moratorium had impacted all development located in Northwest Anne Arundel County, including key business regions around the Arundel Mills shopping area and the BWI Business District.

Pittman's proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 earmarks nearly $60 million allocated for the DPW that can be used to build the county's own diversion alternative.

A plan is expected to be completed by November, with construction designs finalized within the next five years.