Land for Sale in Garrett County, MD

Garrett County is Maryland's far western mountain county, 656 square miles with 28,806 residents (2020 census), Oakland as its seat and Deep Creek Lake, the state's largest freshwater lake. Tourism drives the market. Lake-area land falls under the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance, with special buffer and buydown rules on lakefront lots, and this guide covers what to check.

Garrett County at a glance

  • County seat: Oakland. Towns include Grantsville, Accident, Friendsville, Deer Park and Kitzmiller.
  • 2020 population 28,806; about 656 square miles.
  • Deep Creek Lake, about 11.6 miles long, is Maryland's largest freshwater body; Hoye-Crest on Backbone Mountain, at 3,360 feet, is the state's highest point.
  • Highways: Interstate 68, US 219 and Maryland 38.
  • Savage River State Forest and seven state parks, including Swallow Falls and Deep Creek Lake State Park, are in the county.

The Garrett County land market

Tourism, skiing and summer lake activity drive demand. Lake and mountain-view parcels near Deep Creek Lake are the most sought after, while farm and forest land in the Grantsville, Accident and Kitzmiller areas costs less. Typical parcels are 1- to 50-acre wooded or pasture tracts and lake-area lots.

Deep Creek Watershed Zoning

Land that drains to Deep Creek and the lake is covered by the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance, first adopted in 1975 and last restated in 2010, found in Chapter 157 of the county code, with later amendments such as 2021 solar and 2024 farm winery changes. Lake-area districts include Lake Residential districts such as LR1 and LR2, and planning commission discussions have flagged septic capacity as a constraint in some districts. Lakefront lots have county guidelines for the "buydown" and "buffer" areas along the shore, and some parcels include former state conservation land. The state DNR generally does not review improvements on a private lot unless it is a buydown parcel.

Before you buy a lake-area lot, get the county planning office to confirm the zoning district, setbacks, buffer or buydown status and any shoreline permits, and ask the county health department about septic for the parcel. Outside the watershed, other county zoning and subdivision rules apply.

Winter, access and utilities

Mountain winters bring heavy snow, so confirm year-round road access and who plows. Many farm and forest parcels use wells and septic systems, and power and broadband vary. Slopes and rock can raise building costs.

Before you buy land in Garrett County

  • Whether the parcel is in the Deep Creek Watershed and its zoning district.
  • Lakefront buffer or buydown status and any shoreline permits.
  • Septic approval from the county health department.
  • Recorded legal access and winter maintenance.
  • Slope, flood and wetland constraints.

Perc tests and septic for raw landLand due diligence checklist

Frequently asked questions

What is the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance?

The county zoning ordinance for land draining to Deep Creek and the lake, first adopted in 1975 and last restated in 2010, in Chapter 157 of the county code.

Are there special rules for Deep Creek Lake lakefront lots?

Yes. The county has guidelines for lakefront buffer and buydown areas, and some lots include former state conservation land.

What is the largest lake in Maryland?

Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, about 11.6 miles long.

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