How Annapolis Handles Home Business: A Practical Guide
Annapolis maintains 127 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with home business. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Annapolis falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Signage Rules
Annapolis limits home-based professional office or studio signs to one two-square-foot sign per lot (two on corner lots), capped at fifteen feet high and set back at least five feet from any other zoning lot line.
Key details: Max sign area: 2 square feet. Max sign height: 15 feet. Corner lots: second sign facing other street. Setback: 5 feet from neighboring zoning lot. Permit: sign permit required before installing.
Erecting or displaying a sign that violates the Zoning Code is a misdemeanor under § 21.36.030, punishable by a fine set by the City Council; the Director of Planning and Zoning can also order corrective measures.
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Annapolis limits home-based businesses to 25% of a dwelling's floor area, one non-resident employee, and a fixed list of permitted occupations, banning retail resale of purchased goods and any exterior sign of commercial use.
Key details: Floor-area cap: 25% of dwelling floor area. Employees: 1 nonresident employee max. Residency: Operator must live on site. Retail sales: No resale of purchased goods. Parking: No front-yard parking allowed.
Exceeding the 25% floor-area cap, hiring more than one outside employee, or running a prohibited occupation is a zoning violation; the City can order the use discontinued under Title 21 zoning enforcement.
Home Daycare
Annapolis zoning allows family and large family child care homes as a residential use, but only if the provider actually lives in the house and the operation stays as quiet and low-impact as an ordinary household on that lot.
Key details: Governing section: Zoning Code § 21.64.190. Provider residency: Must live in the home. Nuisance limit: No more than typical household. State license required: Education Art. § 9.5, COMAR 13A.15/13A.18. Last amended: Ord. O-1-25, effective 5-27-2025.
A home daycare that doesn't meet the residency or nuisance standard is a zoning code violation; Planning and Zoning can require the operator to stop the nuisance activity or bring the use into compliance before it may continue.
The Bottom Line
Annapolis's home business rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Annapolis is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Annapolis's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.