Anne Arundel County, MD Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R5 principal structure limit
- 50 feet
- R5 accessory structure limit
- 25 feet or house height
- RA/RLD principal structure limit
- 45 feet
- Enforced by
- Office of Planning and Zoning
Summary
Anne Arundel County caps principal structures in R5 residential zoning at 50 feet, the standard suburban district covering most unincorporated single-family neighborhoods.
§ 18-4-701. Bulk regulations. Except as provided otherwise in this article, the following bulk regulations are applicable in an R5 District: ... Maximum height limitations: Principal structures 50 feet Multifamily and multiplex dwellings 50 feet
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
The county's zoning code sets height limits by district under Article 18's bulk regulations tables. In the R5 Residential District, the standard zone for most unincorporated single-family and duplex neighborhoods, including Glen Burnie, Pasadena, and Severna Park, principal structures and multifamily/multiplex dwellings are capped at 50 feet, while accessory structures are limited to 25 feet or the height of the principal structure, whichever is less. Other residential districts carry different caps: RA and RLD principal structures top out at 45 feet, while R10, R15, and R22 allow greater height. The Office of Planning and Zoning enforces these limits through the building permit process; a handful of narrow exceptions (roof features such as chimneys, church spires, and similar) are separately addressed under § 18-2-302.
Violations & Fines
Building without a permit, or exceeding the district's approved height, triggers a stop-work order and correction requirement from the Office of Planning and Zoning; unpermitted construction is also subject to Article 18 enforcement and civil penalties under the zoning enforcement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be in Glen Burnie or Severna Park?
Does the height limit change by zoning district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland building setbacks & zoning overview
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