Garage conversion rules in Howard County, MD — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
In Howard County a detached garage is an accessory structure that cannot contain a full bathroom, full kitchen, or living quarters. Converting a garage into a dwelling requires meeting the accessory-apartment rules under Section 128.0.13 and a Department of Planning and Zoning permit.
Zoning Regulations Section 128.0.12.b provides that full baths, full kitchens, residential habitation, and commercial uses are not permitted in accessory structures. A detached garage therefore cannot be finished into an independent living unit without first qualifying as an accessory apartment. To create legal living space, the conversion must comply with Section 128.0.13, which requires the unit to be within an owner-occupied dwelling, limits its floor area, and requires a permit issued by the Department of Planning and Zoning based on a scaled floor plan. Building permits from the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits are also required for structural work. An unpermitted second kitchen or dwelling in a garage is a zoning violation.
An unpermitted garage conversion with a kitchen or living quarters is a zoning violation; the county may order removal of the kitchen and restoration of the space plus penalties.
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