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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,
 Uwh9JP9/ThSXav/oVHb1+nepVnBxCQ/GyEIyDWRNbJDfhHKIlXY7z9xmY98gluhZ
 P1JY8dIx4R4NgMqov9uvcA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001065645-06-000030.txt : 20060829
<SEC-HEADER>0001065645-06-000030.hdr.sgml : 20060829
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060829161012
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001065645-06-000030
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060828
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060829
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060829

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCOTT T MICHAEL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001102609
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LAND SUBDIVIDERS & DEVELOPERS (NO CEMETERIES) [6552]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14369
		FILM NUMBER:		061062724

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3018438600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 SMALLWOOD VILLAGE CENTER
		CITY:			ST. CHARLES
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20602

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN COMMUNITY PROPERTIES TRUST
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001065645
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LAND SUBDIVIDERS & DEVELOPERS (NO CEMETERIES) [6552]
		IRS NUMBER:				522058165
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 SMALLWOOD VILLAGE CENTER
		CITY:			ST. CHARLES
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20602
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3018438600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 SMALLWOOD VILLAGE CENTER
		CITY:			ST. CHARLES
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20602
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-08-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001065645</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN COMMUNITY PROPERTIES TRUST</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>apo</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001102609</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCOTT T MICHAEL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>222 SMALLWOOD VILLAGE CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. CHARLES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20602</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-08-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.1</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The award reflects an 8,000 share restricted stock grant whereby 1,600 shares vest annually, commencing on the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ T. Michael Scott</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-08-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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