Building Setbacks & Zoning in Anne Arundel County, MD (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Anne Arundel County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

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.

Anne Arundel County Yard Setback Minimums

Some Restrictions

Anne Arundel County Code § 18-4-601 (R2 District bulk regulations); see also § 18-2-301, § 18-4-501, § 18-4-401

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 sq...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

Anne Arundel County caps principal structures in R5 residential zoning at 50 feet, the standard suburban district covering most unincorporated single-family neighborhoods.

Anne Arundel County home height limit

Some Restrictions

Anne Arundel County Code § 18-4-701

§ 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

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

Anne Arundel County caps building coverage at 50% of lot area in R1 zones, 60% in R2, and 65% in R5: the county-wide bulk regulations that apply everywhere outside Annapolis and Highland Beach.

Anne Arundel County Max Lot Coverage Limits

Some Restrictions

Anne Arundel County Code § 18-4-501

Except as provided otherwise in this article, the following bulk regulations are applicable in an R1 District: 30,000 square Minimum lot size feet; or 15,000 for side by ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Anne Arundel County

1 cities in Anne Arundel County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

AnnapolisPop. 40,812

3 verified rules • Lot Coverage Limits, Setback Rules

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