Accessory Structures in Annapolis, MD (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Annapolis, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Annapolis allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot, caps standalone ADUs at 850 square feet, requires a Chapter 17.44 rental license, and requires the owner to live in the ADU or the main house.
Annapolis ADU Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 21.64.010
A. A maximum of one accessory dwelling unit may be established on any one lot. ... E. The maximum size of any accessory dwelling unit that is not established within the existing footprint of the principal structure is eight hundred fifty square feet of livable space. F. A rental license for any accessory dwelling unit is required in accordance with Chapter 17.44. G. An accessory dwelling unit a...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Annapolis requires the property owner to live in either the accessory dwelling unit or the principal structure: an investor-owned ADU rented out while the owner lives elsewhere is not allowed.
Annapolis ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Significant RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 21.64.010(G)
An accessory dwelling unit and principal structure on any one lot shall be in common ownership and the owner shall reside in either the accessory dwelling unit or the principal structure. (Ord. No. O-9-21, § I, 10-11-2021) Editor's note— Section III of Ord. No. O-9-21, adopted Oct. 11, 2021 provides that this ordinance shall take effect from the date of its passage; provided, that there sha...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Annapolis requires a rental license under Chapter 17.44 for any accessory dwelling unit, and the ADU and principal structure must stay in common ownership with the owner living in one of the two units.
Annapolis ADU Rental License Rules
Significant RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 21.64.010(F)-(G)
F. A rental license for any accessory dwelling unit is required in accordance with Chapter 17.44. G. An accessory dwelling unit and principal structure on any one lot shall be in common ownership and the owner shall reside in either the accessory dwelling unit or the principal structure.
Shed & Carport Rules
In Annapolis's R1 district, a shed or any other building accessory to a single-family dwelling must sit 30 feet from the front lot line, 8 feet from an interior side line, 20 feet from a corner side line and 5 feet from the rear line. A footnote cuts the side figure to 5 feet for structures wholly in the rear 25 percent of the lot, and walls within 5 feet of a lot line are capped at 8 feet to the cornice and 16 feet to the ridge.
Annapolis Shed and Accessory Building Rules (R1 District)
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 21.50.010
Dwellings, single-family detached 7,000 60 25 8 20 30 2.5 stories not to exceed 35 feet 30 ... Buildings accessory to single-family dwellings, other than as specified elsewhere in this table 30 8 3 20 5 9 ... 3 Unless the entire structure is located on the rear twenty-five percent of the lot, in which case only five feet is required. See illustration at Section 21.60.100 . ... 9 i. Within five ...
Looking for Anne Arundel County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Annapolis city rules.
Accessory Structures in Anne Arundel County →