Anne Arundel County, MD Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- R2 District (typical)
- Front 25', rear 20', side 7'
- R1 District
- Front 35', rear 30', side 15'
- RLD District
- Front 50', rear 40', side 20'
- First-offense fine
- $125 (Critical Area: $500)
- Applies to
- All unincorporated county communities
Summary
Anne Arundel County sets minimum yard setbacks by zoning district under the Article 18 bulk regulations: 25 feet front, 20 feet rear, and 7 feet side in the common R2 residential district, wider in RLD and R1.
Except as provided otherwise in this article, the following bulk regulations are applicable in an R2 District: Minimum lot size: If not served by public sewer 20,000 square feet If served by public sewer 10,000 square feet Duplex and fourplex dwellings on separate lots 5,000 square feet Maximum coverage by structures 60% of gross area Minimum width at front building restriction line; for waterfront lots the 70 feet building restriction line is measured from the rear lot line Minimum width at front building restriction line for duplex if located on more than one lot; for waterfront lots, the building restriction line is 35 feet measured from the rear lot line Minimum setbacks for principal structures: Front lot line 25 feet Rear lot line 20 feet Side lot line 7 feet Side lot line for duplex dwellings on separate lots 0 foot shared lot line, 7 feet side lot line Corner side lot line 20 feet Principal arterial or higher classification road 40 feet Minimum setbacks for accessory structures other than sheds that do not
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Anne Arundel County's zoning code sets a base framework in § 18-2-301, architectural features like bay windows or chimneys may project three feet into a setback, open fire escapes five feet, and decks ten feet into a rear setback if kept three feet off the line, then each zoning district's own bulk-regulations table fixes the actual numbers. In the R2 District, covering most sewered subdivisions, principal structures need 25 feet front, 20 feet rear, and 7 feet side (§ 18-4-601). R1 requires 35/30/15 feet (§ 18-4-501). RLD requires 50/40/20 feet (§ 18-4-401). This applies countywide except Annapolis and Highland Beach.
Violations & Fines
Building without meeting the setback is a zoning violation enforced by the Office of Planning and Zoning; civil fines run $125 first offense, $500 second, $1,000 thereafter: doubled to $500/$1,000 in the Critical Area (§ 18-17-201, § 18-17-203).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do setback minimums differ between Glen Burnie and Severna Park?
Can I build a deck closer to my rear lot line than the setback allows?
How do I find out which zoning district applies to my lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland building setbacks & zoning overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.