Queen Anne's County, MD Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Section 18:1-45 governs residential accessory structures such as sheds, garages, and workshops. Under Subsection B, a residential accessory structure cannot be attached or connected in any manner to any other structure, and it must be located at least three feet from any property line, at least six feet from the closest point of the principal building, and in a side or rear yard. Pools can be exempt from the six-foot separation from the principal structure if the pool has a perimeter walkway of at least four feet. When the rear lot line abuts tidal wetlands, an accessory structure can go in the part of a front yard that is outside the required front setback, and when a property abuts two streets it can go in the part of the side yard outside the front yard setback.

Subsection C limits total size by comparing it to the house. On a residential lot of less than two acres, in all districts, all buildings other than the principal building cannot cover more than 60% of the area covered by the existing principal building. Between two and five acres, outside the AG, CS and APKIG Districts, the limit is 80%. In the AG, CS and APKIG Districts on lots between two and five acres, the limit is 200% of the principal building's area, and the total square footage of all accessory structures cannot exceed 5,000 square feet.

Subsection D caps height: a building on a residential lot less than two acres cannot exceed 20 feet, and on a lot greater than two acres and less than five acres it cannot exceed the greater of 20 feet or the height of the principal building. Subsection E lets barns, stables, and sheds sit outside building pads on existing large lots in the CS District if they have a pitched roof and meet the rest of the section. Section 18:1-132 separately states that a building permit is required to locate, erect, or begin construction of any structure, and § 18:1-136 requires the location to be staked out and inspected before the Planning Director issues it.