Pop. 40,812 · Anne Arundel County
Annapolis Code Chapter 17.44 does not set an explicit liability insurance dollar minimum for short-term rentals at the city level; the city's licensing focus is on a Maryland Sales & Use Tax license, a local property manager (if the owner is non-resident), occupancy and life-safety standards, and remittance of the Anne Arundel County use-or-occupancy tax. Hosts should still verify coverage through their hosting platform and a private STR or commercial-liability policy.
Annapolis Code Chapter 17.44 caps short-term rental occupancy at two individuals per bedroom (excluding small children) and limits short-term residential rentals to no more than 120 consecutive days in a calendar year. The owner must post an occupancy notice on the back of the main entrance door.
Annapolis requires STR operators to register through the city's Citizen Self-Service portal. The City Council passed a 10% per-block density cap on non-owner-occupied STRs. Owner-occupied rentals are exempt from the cap.
Annapolis treats carports as accessory structures under Title 21 (Planning and Zoning), Chapter 21.64. They must comply with the underlying district setbacks, height, and lot coverage in Chapter 21.50 (Bulk Regulations Tables) and require a building permit from the Department of Planning and Zoning before construction.
Annapolis requires building permits for sheds over 144 square feet. Sheds must meet setback requirements and may not be placed in front yards. Historic District sheds require Historic Preservation Commission review.
Annapolis allows ADUs through a special exception process. ADUs limited to 700 sq ft or 50% of primary dwelling, whichever is less. Historic District ADUs require HPC design review. Owner occupancy of primary or ADU required.
Annapolis allows garage conversions to habitable space with a building permit. Historic District conversions require Historic Preservation Commission review. Conversions that create a separate dwelling unit are treated as ADUs requiring a special exception.
Anne Arundel County treats foundation tiny houses under IRC Appendix Q (min. 70 sq ft habitable room) and under the Maryland HB 20 (2024) statewide ADU mandate. Tiny houses on wheels are RVs and cannot be used as permanent dwellings except in licensed RV parks.
Annapolis participates in the Anne Arundel County water system. Outdoor irrigation restrictions activate during drought or water emergency declarations. Chesapeake Bay-friendly landscaping with native plants and rain gardens is strongly encouraged.
Annapolis requires a permit to remove trees over 8 inches DBH on city property and in the Historic District. Street trees are city property and may not be trimmed without city approval. Chesapeake Bay Critical Area buffer trees have heightened protections.
Annapolis enforces weed abatement. MD Agriculture Art. §9-401 covers noxious weeds. County health departments handle residential complaints.
Tree removal in Annapolis requires permits for trees in the Historic District or Chesapeake Bay Critical Area buffer. Dead or hazardous trees may be removed with notice to the city. Replacement planting required in critical areas.
Annapolis enforces a maximum grass height of 12 inches for residential properties. Properties in violation receive a notice and must cut within 10 days. The city will cut the grass and bill the owner if not remediated.
Anne Arundel County actively promotes native and Bay-friendly plantings through its Watershed Protection program and Critical Area buffer plantings. Maryland RP §2-118 limits HOA bans on low-impact landscaping. Turf grass replacement is incentivized near the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland permits residential rainwater harvesting without restriction. Anne Arundel County encourages rain barrels for stormwater management; rebate program periodically offered.
Anne Arundel County permits residential artificial turf but counts it as impervious surface in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, which can trigger mitigation. Drainage plans are required when turf replaces lawn on slopes or near tidal waters.
Maryland law requires large food waste generators statewide to divert organics from landfills through reduction, donation, or composting when an organics recycling facility exists within thirty miles.
Annapolis requires driveways to connect to the street through approved curb cuts. Historic District driveway alterations require Historic Preservation Commission review. Blocking sidewalks or obstructing sight lines is prohibited.
Annapolis has metered parking (2-hour limit) throughout downtown and extensive residential permit parking zones near the Historic District, Naval Academy, and State House. Boat Show and special event restrictions activate seasonally.
Annapolis is a major boating hub. RV and boat trailer parking on city streets is limited. Residential storage of boats and trailers behind the front building line is generally permitted. Marina storage is widely available.
Annapolis restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones overnight. Vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW may not be parked in residential areas except for active loading/unloading. Historic District streets prohibit large trucks.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 12 treats a vehicle as abandoned after 48 hours on a public street or 30 days on private property without consent. Inoperative/unregistered vehicles on residential property must be garaged or screened under Article 18.
Anne Arundel County does not have a countywide overnight parking ban. Annapolis restricts overnight parking in residential permit zones and prohibits on-street commercial vehicle parking from 7 PM to 7 AM (Annapolis §12.16).
Anne Arundel County requires electrical permits for Level 2 EV chargers and follows the 2018 IBC/IRC EV-ready provisions adopted statewide. Maryland RP §2-121 blocks HOAs from prohibiting owner-installed chargers. BGE offers a managed-charger rebate program.
Annapolis does not have a specific municipal beekeeping ordinance. Maryland Dept of Agriculture requires hive registration. Zoning and property size constraints apply. City encourages urban agriculture as consistent with Chesapeake Bay goals.
Annapolis follows Anne Arundel County animal code prohibiting wild, exotic, and vicious animals as pets. Skunks, raccoons, and opossums are specifically prohibited. Small rodents, rabbits, ferrets, birds, fish, and non-poisonous reptiles are permitted.
Annapolis requires dogs to be on leash in all public areas including waterfront parks, City Dock, and Truxtun Park. Dogs must be under the direct control of their owner at all times. Off-leash areas are limited.
Annapolis has no municipal breed-specific legislation (BSL). Maryland law prohibits county and municipal breed bans following the 2014 Court of Appeals ruling. All dogs are governed by individual behavior under the dangerous dog designation process.
Anne Arundel County prohibits intentional feeding of deer under Article 12 and enforces a Maryland DNR-aligned ban on feeding black bears. Waterfowl feeding is discouraged along the Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries due to Tundra swan and Canada goose nuisance.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 18 zoning allows chickens in RA (Rural Agricultural) and on lots 40,000+ sq ft in R1/R2 zones. No roosters in residential zones. Annapolis city limits: prohibited.
Maryland Criminal Law Sections 10-604 through 10-606 prohibit aggravated and general animal cruelty statewide, including failure to provide nutritious food, proper drink, air, space, shelter, and protection that constitutes hoarding.
Annapolis follows Maryland's common-law fence rules. The finished side must face neighbors. Boundary fence disputes are civil matters. Maryland's spite fence statute (RP §14-120) prohibits fences built solely to annoy.
Annapolis Chapter 17.34 requires a building permit for all fence installations. Historic District fences additionally require Historic Preservation Commission approval before a permit is issued.
Annapolis Code §21.60.070 limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Historic District fences require Historic Preservation Commission review. Finished side must face outward.
Anne Arundel County enforces the 2018 IRC Appendix G pool barrier standards as adopted by Maryland — 48-inch barrier, self-closing/self-latching gate with latch ≥54 inches, and less-than-4-inch openings. Barrier inspection is required before the pool is filled.
Anne Arundel County requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from footing) or any wall supporting a surcharge. Walls in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area or in a floodplain face additional review and often require a Maryland-licensed PE seal.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 18 (Zoning) approves wood, vinyl, composite, masonry, wrought iron, chain-link. Annapolis Historic District requires HDC approval for fence materials.
Annapolis pool safety rules include anti-entrapment VGB-compliant drain covers, required depth markings, and prohibition on use during electrical storms. Annual inspection for permitted pools. Bay waterfront pool drainage must comply with Critical Area rules.
Annapolis follows Maryland's pool barrier law requiring fences at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Building permits required. Chesapeake Bay waterfront pools must address stormwater compliance.
Above-ground pools in Annapolis require the same 48-inch barrier fencing as in-ground pools. Steps and ladders must be removable or lockable when the pool is unattended. Building permit required for pools over 24 inches deep.
Anne Arundel County requires an electrical permit for hot tubs and, for tubs 24+ inches deep, the same barrier rules as pools under IRC Appendix G — unless the unit has an ASTM F1346 safety cover.
Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections & Permits requires building permit for pools. COMAR 26.04.02 applies to community pools. Critical Area pools need additional environmental review.
Annapolis prohibits unreasonably loud noise under City Code §11.12.020. Residential quiet hours run 10 PM to 7 AM under Maryland state dBA standards (55 dBA nighttime). Police respond to after-hours complaints.
Annapolis permits construction noise 7 AM to 10 PM under Maryland state standards. Construction sounds may not exceed 90 dBA at the property line. Historic District work requires additional coordination.
Annapolis prohibits dogs from continuously barking or making noise that causes unreasonable disturbance. Complaints handled by city police and animal control. Owner responsibility established under Code Title 8.
Anne Arundel County has no gas leaf blower ban. Operation must comply with Article 11 noise limits. Hours typically 7 AM-9 PM weekdays, 9 AM-7 PM weekends in residential zones.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 11 regulates amplified sound. Special event permits required from Recreation & Parks or Licensing. Annapolis has separate noise permit process for waterfront events.
Aircraft noise in Maryland is preempted by federal law under the Federal Aviation Act and 14 CFR Part 36. Neither the state nor municipalities may regulate flight operations or in-flight noise emissions, though airport proprietors retain limited authority.
Maryland regulates industrial noise statewide under COMAR 26.02.03 with district-based decibel ceilings. Industrial operations may not exceed 75 dBA at the property line continuously, with stricter limits when adjoining residential zones.
Annapolis fire pits must be UL-listed appliances with a 15-foot setback from all structures. Attended at all times. No burning of trash, leaves, or yard debris. Dense Historic District lots require extra care given proximity to neighbors.
Consumer fireworks are banned statewide under Maryland Code, Public Safety §10-101. Annapolis Code reinforces the ban. Only sparklers not containing chlorates or perchlorates (gold-label) are legal. Violation can result in a $250+ fine.
Annapolis allows small recreational fires for personal use or cooking in UL-listed appliances with a 15-foot setback from structures. Burning trash, leaves, and debris is prohibited. Bonfires require a Fire Marshal permit.
Anne Arundel County is not in a mapped high-wildfire-hazard area under Maryland DNR Forest Service assessments. Defensible-space rules are not codified locally; open-burn permits and seasonal outdoor burn restrictions apply under MDE and DNR regulations.
Anne Arundel County Fire Marshal enforces vegetation clearance near structures. Chesapeake Bay Critical Area (1,000 ft buffer) has special vegetation management rules that limit clearing.
Maryland regulates propane and liquefied petroleum gas storage statewide through the Office of the State Fire Marshal under COMAR 29.06.02, adopting NFPA 58 standards. Container size limits, setback distances, and installation rules apply uniformly to residential and commercial sites.
Annapolis prohibits all external signage for home occupations in residential zones. Historic District sign rules are among the strictest in Maryland — all signs in the district require Historic Preservation Commission approval.
Annapolis permits home occupations in residential zones as accessory uses. Business must be conducted entirely indoors, occupy no more than 25% of floor area, have no signage, no customer traffic, and no employees at the residence.
Annapolis home occupation rules prohibit customer or client traffic to the residence. No appointments, walk-in customers, or regular deliveries beyond normal residential scale. Violations reported by neighbors can result in revocation.
Anne Arundel County permits licensed family child care homes as of right under Article 18 home-occupation rules, consistent with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) licensing. Family child care is capped at 8 children; large family child care up to 12 needs additional review.
Maryland's cottage food law (Health-General §21-330.1) allows unlicensed home production of non-hazardous foods with annual sales up to $50,000. Anne Arundel County follows the state program; no county cottage food permit is required.
Annapolis enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.
Anne Arundel County parks close at sunset unless posted otherwise. County Code Article 7-1-106 makes after-hours presence a trespassing violation. Lighted athletic fields extend to 10 PM.
Annapolis has significant flood exposure as a tidal capital city on the Chesapeake Bay. Properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) require flood insurance and must meet floodplain development rules. Nuisance flooding ('sunny day flooding') affects City Dock regularly.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 16 requires grading permit for 100+ cubic yards earth movement. Retaining walls over 4 ft need engineered plans. Drainage cannot be redirected to neighbors.
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area (1,000 ft tidal buffer) is THE key rule for Anne Arundel County. Article 18 Sections apply. 100-ft buffer from mean high water. Three designations: RCA, LDA, IDA with strict development caps.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 16 enforces MD stormwater management regulations. MS4 Phase I permit. Bay Restoration Fund fee applies. Critical Area and flood plain trigger enhanced review.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 16-4 requires E&S plan for all disturbances over 5,000 sq ft. MDE 2011 Standards apply. Critical Area and steep slopes trigger enhanced controls.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 18 zoning sets setbacks by district. R1: 40 ft front/15 ft side/40 ft rear typical. Critical Area adds 100 ft tidal buffer on top.
Anne Arundel County R1 lots limited to 35% impervious; R2 to 40%; R5 to 50%. Critical Area properties capped at 15% impervious (Resource Conservation Area) or 25% (LDA/IDA).
Anne Arundel County Code Article 18 limits residential height to 35 ft or 2.5 stories. Annapolis Historic District: 35 ft or match context. Naval Academy glide slope zones have FAA height limits.
Anne Arundel County Article 18 and Article 11 nuisance rules prohibit light trespass onto neighbors. 0.5 foot-candle maximum at property line in residential zones. Complaint-driven enforcement.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 18-11-107 requires full cut-off fixtures for exterior lighting. Critical Area and Annapolis Historic District have stricter standards. LED color temperature limited.
Anne Arundel County Article 12 (Property Maintenance Code, based on IPMC) addresses blight — peeling paint, broken windows, accumulated debris, overgrown yards. Notice gives 10–30 days to cure; abatement costs become a lien. Vacant and unsafe structures are separately regulated.
Anne Arundel County Article 12 requires vacant lot owners to control weeds/grass over 8 inches, remove trash, and abate trespass and dumping. Chesapeake Bay Critical Area lots must also maintain buffer vegetation. The county may mow and lien costs to the property.
Anne Arundel County Waste Management requires 65- or 95-gallon county-issued carts stored on the property (not in the right-of-way) and set out no earlier than 5 PM the day before collection, retrieved by 10 PM collection day.
Anne Arundel County generally does not mandate residential sidewalk snow clearing. City of Annapolis requires clearing within 24 hours under City Code Title 17. Liability remains for injuries.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 12 property maintenance requires tidy display during sales and cleanup within 24 hours. Unsold items not left at curb. Signs removed within 48 hours.
Anne Arundel County does not regulate residential holiday decorations through the sign code. Displays must not obstruct sight triangles, block sidewalks, or create noise/fire hazards. Annapolis historic district displays are subject to HPC guidelines.
Anne Arundel County allows political signs on private property without a permit under Article 18 (Zoning) sign regulations. Signs in state or county right-of-way are prohibited by MD Transportation §21-1116 and county code, and SHA routinely removes them.
Anne Arundel County permits temporary yard-sale signs on private property with owner consent. Placement on utility poles, street trees, and the state/county right-of-way is prohibited and signs are removed without notice by DPW and SHA.
Anne Arundel County has no just-cause eviction ordinance. Tenancies follow Maryland Real Property Code §8-401 et seq., which allows tenancy-at-will terminations with 60 days' written notice and failure-to-pay summary ejectment through District Court.
Anne Arundel County requires all rental dwelling units to be licensed under County Code Article 11, Title 2. Licenses are issued by Inspections & Permits, renewed every two years, and require a passing housing inspection.
Neither Maryland state law nor Anne Arundel County have adopted rent control. Landlords may raise rent with proper notice. Annapolis does not regulate rent amounts. Just-cause eviction not universal.
Maryland Real Property §2-119 bars HOAs from prohibiting rooftop solar. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic rules that do not significantly increase cost or decrease output. The law applies to Anne Arundel County HOAs in Crofton, Piney Orchard, Two Rivers, and Annapolis-area communities.
Anne Arundel County requires building and electrical permits for rooftop solar PV systems through Inspections & Permits. The county uses an expedited residential solar review and enforces 2020 NEC and 2018 IRC fire setbacks. BGE and SMECO handle interconnection under Maryland's net metering rules.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 7-8 requires peddler/solicitor license. Background check and photo ID badge required. Hours limited to 9 AM to 9 PM. Annapolis has separate licensing.
Anne Arundel County honors 'No Soliciting' signs posted at residences as legally enforceable. No formal county registry. Signs with state statute reference have strongest enforcement.
Anne Arundel County yard sales must occur during daylight hours, typically 8 AM to 7 PM. No overnight merchandise display. Must comply with Article 11 noise limits.
Anne Arundel County limits residential yard sales to 3 per calendar year per household to prevent commercial retail activity. Each sale 1-3 consecutive days. Excess triggers home business rules.
Anne Arundel County does not require a permit for residential yard sales. City of Annapolis similarly permissive. Sign ordinance restrictions apply. Frequency cap is the main rule.
Commercial operators require FAA Part 107 certificate. BWI and Naval Academy airspace mandate LAANC. Anne Arundel County film/survey permits for commercial use on county property.
FAA Part 107 and recreational rules apply. BWI Airport and US Naval Academy Class D airspace require LAANC. Anne Arundel County parks allow drones with permit; state parks ban recreational drones.
Anne Arundel County mandates single-stream recycling. Accepts paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics #1-#5 and #7. Contaminated carts tagged and skipped. Yard waste separate weekly program.
Anne Arundel County requires bins placed at curb by 6 AM, removed by end of collection day. Bins must be 3 ft from obstacles. Stored out of view from street between pickups.
Anne Arundel County offers free bulk pickup with 24-hour advance scheduling. Up to 3 cubic yards per pickup. Hazmat and construction debris excluded. Millersville Landfill for self-haul.
Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works provides weekly curbside trash and recycling to county residents. Annapolis operates its own municipal collection. Bins out by 6 AM.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 7 and Article 18 zone food truck operations. Annapolis requires private property or approved locations. Minimum distance from restaurants varies by jurisdiction.
Anne Arundel County Department of Health issues mobile food service permit. County commercial vehicle license required. Annapolis city has separate mobile vendor permit.
Anne Arundel County FCA requires afforestation/reforestation at ratios from 1:1 (1.5-inch caliper) to 3:1 for specimen trees. Fee-in-lieu paid to County Forest Conservation Fund.
Anne Arundel County designates Specimen Trees (30+ inch DBH) under Article 17. Annapolis has its own Tree City USA program with landmark designations. Removal requires extensive justification.
Anne Arundel County Forest Conservation Act (FCA) and Article 17 apply. Trees over 30 inches DBH on land 40,000+ sq ft trigger regulation. Critical Area buffer trees heavily protected.
Anne Arundel County zones cannabis dispensaries in C3, C4, and industrial districts with 500 ft buffer from schools and daycares. Bill 37-23 regulated adult-use retail locations post-state legalization.
Maryland Recreational Cannabis Act (2023) permits adults 21+ to grow up to 2 cannabis plants per household. Plants must be in locked, secure area not visible from public. Anne Arundel follows state law.
Maryland sets a statewide minimum wage under Labor and Employment Article 3-413 but allows charter counties like Montgomery and Howard to set higher local wages.
Maryland requires earned sick and safe leave statewide and is implementing the Family and Medical Leave Insurance program for paid family leave.
Maryland has no statewide predictive scheduling law but allows local jurisdictions to enact fair workweek rules; Montgomery County is studying such rules.
Maryland issues Wear and Carry Permits through the State Police and prohibits concealed carry in many sensitive locations across the state.
Maryland preempts most local firearms regulation but allows charter counties and Baltimore City to regulate the discharge of firearms within their jurisdiction.
Maryland generally prohibits the open carry of handguns in public without a Wear and Carry Permit, with very narrow exceptions for property and travel.
Maryland prohibits carrying or transporting a handgun in a vehicle without a Wear and Carry Permit, with narrow statutory exceptions for unloaded transport.
Maryland uses agricultural land preservation districts and county zoning to protect farmland, supplemented by state programs and the Right to Farm law.
Maryland Agriculture Article 5-403 protects established farms from nuisance lawsuits when operations follow generally accepted agricultural practices.
The Maryland Plastic Bag Reduction Act of 2024 prohibits retailers from providing thin plastic carryout bags at the point of sale statewide.
Maryland was the first state to ban expanded polystyrene foam food service products statewide, prohibiting their sale and use at food service businesses.
Maryland encourages but does not statewide ban plastic straws; many local jurisdictions require restaurants to provide straws and utensils only on request.
Maryland prohibits the sale of any tobacco or electronic smoking device to anyone under age 21 under Health-General Article 16.7A.
Maryland restricts flavored cigarettes federally and is considering broader flavored vape restrictions; some counties have enacted local flavor bans.
Maryland requires retailers selling electronic smoking devices to obtain a state Other Tobacco Products license and to follow strict youth-access protections.