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Covenants first
Landscaping & tree care in Columbia
In Columbia the design conversation starts with the covenants, because the village architectural committee sees the plan before the ground does.
Columbia is a covenanted community, and exterior alterations generally require approval from the relevant village architectural committee before work starts. That is not a formality to be worked around — it is the first thing to design for. A scheme drawn without reference to it can be sent back, and the delay lands on the homeowner.
Practically, it means a Columbia project needs a drawing, a materials specification and a clear description of what will change, rather than a verbal idea and a quote. We produce that as part of the design, so there is something to submit rather than something to improvise.
What we do in Columbia
Local rules worth knowing
What governs work in Columbia.
Ask any tree company for their licence number
Maryland requires commercial roadside tree work to be carried out under a Licensed Tree Expert, and a firm doing the physical work must have at least one on staff. The DNR Forest Service licenses LTEs on experience, education and an examination. Ours is #1798. It is a fair question to ask anyone quoting you tree work.
Howard County's Forest Conservation Act
Howard County administers the Forest Conservation Act through the Department of Planning and Zoning, which requires an approved Forest Conservation Plan as a condition of approval for certain development projects. A 2026 county policy update also added notice requirements where clearing is proposed in a priority forest retention area — abutting owners must be notified at least 20 days before a Forest Conservation Plan is approved. DPZ's Division of Land Development takes questions on 410-313-2350.
Regulations change. These notes summarise published guidance from the agencies named and are a starting point, not legal advice — we confirm the current position for your specific property before any permit-affecting work begins.
Questions we get asked in Columbia
Straight answers.
Do I need approval to change my garden in Columbia, MD?
Exterior alterations in Columbia generally need approval from your village architectural committee before work begins, and requirements vary between villages. We prepare the drawings and specification so you have something complete to submit.
Does DEL Landscapes work in Howard County as well as Montgomery County?
Yes. We work across Howard County, including Columbia, Ellicott City and Clarksville, as well as Montgomery County.
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