Queen Anne's County, MD Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Shed exemption
- One-story detached accessory structure, floor area less than 200 square feet
- Farm buildings
- Exempt, but electrical and plumbing permits still required
- Plans, one- and two-family dwellings
- Two sets of drawings
- Plans, other buildings
- Three sets, sealed by Maryland engineer or architect
- Permit refund
- 50% if an unissued permit is denied or withdrawn
- Civil fines
- $250 first offense up to $1,000 fourth or later
Summary
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland, § 10-2 amends the International Building Code's permit rules: a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed or playhouse is exempt only if its floor area is less than 200 square feet, and farm buildings are exempt too, though electrical and plumbing permits still apply. Plans must accompany every building permit application.
105.2 Work exempt from permit. Amend Paragraph I under "Building" to read: "one-story detached accessory structure used as tool and storage sheds, playhouse and similar uses, provided its floor area is less than 200 square feet." ... 105.2 Work exempt from permit. Add new Paragraph 14 under "Building" to read "Farm building; however this provision does not exempt the owner of a farm building from obtaining the required electrical or plumbing permits, nor from complying with all other applicable local, state and federal regulations, laws and ordinances." ... 107.1.1 Information on construction documents. The application for the building permit shall be accompanied by plans and specifications as follows: 1. Detached one- and two- family dwellings: two sets of drawings, drawn to scale with sufficient clarity and detail to show the nature and character of the work to be performed, including, but not limited to:
Full Breakdown
Chapter 10 adopts the Maryland Building Performance Standards (COMAR 05.02.07, which incorporates the International Building Code and the International Residential Code) as the Building Code for Queen Anne's County, and § 10-2 then amends the International Building Code. In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, including Kent Island, the Code Official is the Zoning Administrator of the Department of Planning and Zoning, and the Department of Planning and Zoning stands in for the Department of Building Inspection.
The County rewrites the exemption list in Section 105.2. The shed exemption covers a one-story detached accessory structure used as tool and storage sheds, playhouse and similar uses, provided its floor area is less than 200 square feet. A second amendment adds farm buildings to the exempt list, and Section 101.2 keeps the Code from applying to the construction, alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location or maintenance of farm buildings. A FARM BUILDING stores farm implements, hay, feed, grain or other agricultural or horticultural products, or houses poultry, livestock or other farm animals, with no habitable or occupiable space, no processing, treating or packaging space, and no occupancy by the general public. The owner still needs the required electrical and plumbing permits and must meet all other local, state and federal laws. The County also deletes the annual permit provisions, 105.1.1 and 105.1.2, entirely.
Plans come with the application under new Section 107.1.1. A detached one- or two-family dwelling needs two sets of drawings with floor plans for each level, two elevations and a cross section, plus four copies of the plot plan or two copies of the formally approved site plan when the Zoning Ordinance requires one. For alterations, one-story additions less than 600 square feet total area and accessory structures, the Code Official can waive plan submittal. Every other new building, addition or alteration needs three complete sets of architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical plans sealed by a Maryland professional engineer or architect.
Section 109.6 refunds 50% of the building codes and zoning fee when an unissued permit is denied or withdrawn. Issued permits get no refund.
Violations & Fines
Building without a required permit, or otherwise in conflict with Chapter 10, is a civil violation under § 10-7. Preset fines are $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, $750 for a third and $1,000 for a fourth or subsequent offense, not to exceed $1,000, and each day a violation continues is a separate violation. Collection follows the civil zoning violation procedures of § 18:1-213. A stop-work order posted at the job site is adequate notification by the Code Official under Section 115.2.1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a building permit for a backyard shed in unincorporated Queen Anne's County?
Does a farm building need a permit in Queen Anne's County?
What drawings come with a permit application for a new house?
Do I get a refund if I withdraw my building permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Queen Anne's County
Compare Queen Anne's County to another location·View the Maryland building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.