No person shall disturb land without implementing soil erosion and sediment controls in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and the Standards and Specifications except as provided within this article.
The following activities are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
A. 
Agricultural land management practices and agricultural BMPs;
B. 
Clearing or grading activities that disturb less than 5,000 square feet of land area or disturb less than 100 cubic yards of earth, and for which a grading permit is not required under Article V of this chapter; and
C. 
Clearing or grading activities that are subject exclusively to state approval and enforcement under state law and regulations.
The Cecil Soil Conservation District may only grant a variance from the requirements of the Standards and Specifications when strict adherence will result in exceptional hardship and not fulfill the intent of this chapter. The owner/developer shall submit a written request for a variance to the Cecil Soil Conservation District. The request must state the specific variance sought and the reasons for the request. The Cecil Soil Conservation District shall not grant a variance unless and until sufficient information is provided describing the unique circumstances of the site to justify the variance.