A. 
The goals of the Crisfield Critical Area Ordinance are to accomplish the following:
(1) 
Minimize adverse impacts on water quality that result from pollutants that are discharged from structures or run off from surrounding lands.
(2) 
Conserve fish, wildlife, and plant habitat.
(3) 
Establish land use policies for development in the Critical Area which accommodate growth as well as address the environmental impacts that the number, movement, and activities of people may have on the area.
(4) 
Reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and incorporate measures to improve the climate resiliency of the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and its tributaries.
(5) 
Ensure an equitable distribution of the burdens and benefits of development, mitigation, restoration, conservation and adaptation to climate change with the Critical Area.
A. 
The City adopted its Critical Area Program on December 26, 1988. The City of Crisfield Critical Area Program consists of the City of Crisfield Zoning Ordinance, the Official Critical Area Map(s), and any other related provisions within the City's ordinances.
B. 
Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter, or the lack of a provision in this chapter, all the requirements of the Natural Resources Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, §§ 8-1801 through 8-1817, and COMAR Title 27 shall apply to, and be applied by, the City of Crisfield as minimum standards.
C. 
In the case of conflicting provisions, the stronger provision applies.
A. 
Any applicant for a permit or license to pursue activities within the Critical Area, including, but not limited to, development or redevelopment, grading, sediment and erosion control, timber harvesting, shoreline erosion control, installation of a septic system and drain field, operation of a waste collection or disposal facility, operation of a commercial or private marina or other water-related commercial or industrial operation (whether public or private), mining (whether surface or sub-surface) or quarrying, farming or other agriculture-related activities shall have such permits or licenses issued by the duly appointed approving authority after review to determine compliance with the Crisfield Critical Area Ordinance.
B. 
The City's Critical Area Program and all applicable provisions of this chapter shall be implemented and enforced by the City Zoning Administrator.
(1) 
The Zoning Administrator shall review a permit, license, or other authorization for a development or redevelopment activity in the Critical Area for compliance with this Critical Area Ordinance prior to issuance of that permit or license.
(2) 
Should an infraction of the provisions contained in any law, regulation, or plan related to the City's Critical Area Program be brought to the attention of any City official, said official shall contact the Zoning Administrator.
(3) 
The City of Crisfield shall send copies of applications for all developments, subdivisions, and site plans wholly or partially within the Critical Area as specified in COMAR 27.03.01.04 to the Critical Area Commission for review and comment. The City of Crisfield may not process an application which has been sent to the Commission for notification until it has received notice of receipt by the Commission or the close of the fifth business day, whichever comes first. Any action by the City of Crisfield in violation of these procedures shall be void.
A. 
The Official Critical Area Overlay District Map is maintained in force as part of the Official Zoning Map for Crisfield. The Official Critical Area Map delineates the extent of the Critical Area Overlay District that shall include:
(1) 
All waters of and lands under the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to the head of tide, and all state and private wetlands designated under Title 16 of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland; and
(2) 
All land and water areas within 1,000 feet beyond the landward boundaries of state or private wetlands and the heads of tides designated under Title 16 of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
B. 
Within the designated Critical Area Overlay District, all land shall be assigned to one of the following land management and development area classifications:
(1) 
Intensely Developed Area (IDA).
(2) 
Limited Development Area (LDA).
(3) 
Resource Conservation Area (RCA).
C. 
The Mayor and City Council may amend the Critical Area Overlay District Map in compliance with amendment provisions in this chapter, the Maryland Critical Area Law,[1] and COMAR Title 27.
[1]
Editor's Note: See the Natural Resources Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, §§ 8-1801 through 8-1817.