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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Lc96UtomE/UC8agQUomwhcEcXCdwHRKexJ1euqg6zha/xqFW4V4eupTytKwHTjVt
 8qK/EMMyrp9x83bVdn6a7A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-08-005451.txt : 20080806
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-08-005451.hdr.sgml : 20080806
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080806173236
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-08-005451
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080806
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080806
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080806

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SANDY SPRING BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000824410
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				520312970
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		17801 GEORGIA AVE
		CITY:			OLNEY
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20832
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3017746400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		17801 GEORGIA AVENUE
		CITY:			OLNEY
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20832

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Welch Jeffrey A.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001442271

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19065
		FILM NUMBER:		08995946

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		301-774-6400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.
		STREET 2:		17801 GEORGIA AVENUE
		CITY:			OLNEY
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20832
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-08-06</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000824410</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SANDY SPRING BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SASR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001442271</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Welch Jeffrey A.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>17801 GEORGIA AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>OLNEY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20832</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Janet VA Replogle, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Welch</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-08-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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