ADU rules in Anne Arundel County, MD — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Anne Arundel County updated its ADU rules in 2023 to allow ADUs in most residential districts without additional parking requirements. ADUs require a building permit and must not exceed 800 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling. No parking requirement for most ADUs.
Anne Arundel County's 2023 zoning update expanded ADU eligibility across most residential zones. ADUs must not exceed 800 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling's floor area. Owner occupancy of the primary dwelling or ADU is required. No additional off-street parking is required for most ADUs under the updated rules. ADUs must have a separate entrance and full building code compliance including fire separation requirements (1-hour fire-resistance wall separation if no free-flowing connection to primary dwelling). Building permits from Inspections and Permits are required. R22 districts and some Chesapeake Bay Critical Area zones are excluded. HOA covenants may independently prohibit ADUs.
Unpermitted ADU: stop-work order and $500/day. Occupancy without CO: $250/day.
Anne Arundel County, MD
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See how Anne Arundel County's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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