6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Anne Arundel County limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards under Article 18 zoning regulations. Corner lot sight triangles must be maintained. Chesapeake Bay Critical Area properties have additional restrictions.
Anne Arundel County requires a building permit for fences over 6 feet. Standard fences under 6 feet on non-corner, non-waterfront lots may be installed without a permit but must still comply with zoning height and setback rules.
Anne Arundel County follows Maryland common law for boundary fences. No mandatory cost-sharing. Maryland's spite fence statute (RP §14-120) prohibits fences built solely to annoy neighbors. Finished side should face adjacent property.
Anne Arundel County requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from footing) or any wall supporting a surcharge. Walls in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area or in a floodplain face additional review and often require a Maryland-licensed PE seal.
Anne Arundel County enforces the 2018 IRC Appendix G pool barrier standards as adopted by Maryland — 48-inch barrier, self-closing/self-latching gate with latch ≥54 inches, and less-than-4-inch openings. Barrier inspection is required before the pool is filled.
Anne Arundel County Code Article 18 (Zoning) approves wood, vinyl, composite, masonry, wrought iron, chain-link. Annapolis Historic District requires HDC approval for fence materials.
3 cities in Anne Arundel County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Anne Arundel County Ordinance Hub →