Accessory Structures in Queen Anne's County, MD (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, one accessory guest residence or apartment is allowed per single-family lot. It must sit inside the principal dwelling or an approved residential accessory structure, stay within 1,500 square feet of total floor area, and win Health Department approval where there is no public sewer.
Queen Anne's County Accessory Apartment Rules
Some RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 18:1-48
One accessory guest residence/apartment is allowed as an accessory residential use per single-family lot, and shall not be included when calculating total allowable number of units, provided that: A. It is located within the principal dwelling structure or within an approved residential accessory structure; B. It does not exceed 1,500 square feet in total floor area; C. Where not on public sewe...
ADU Owner Occupancy
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, an accessory guest residence or apartment is allowed only if the owner of the principal dwelling unit resides on the property. The condition sits in § 18:1-48(D), next to the 1,500 square foot cap, and applies to every single-family lot that adds one.
Queen Anne's County Accessory Apartment Owner Residency Rule
Significant RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 18:1-48
One accessory guest residence/apartment is allowed as an accessory residential use per single-family lot, and shall not be included when calculating total allowable number of units, provided that: ... D. The owner of the principal dwelling unit must reside on the property.
Shed & Carport Rules
In unincorporated Queen Anne's County, a residential accessory structure must sit at least three feet from any property line and six feet from the principal building, in a side or rear yard. On lots under two acres, other buildings cannot cover more than 60% of the principal building's footprint or exceed 20 feet in height.
Queen Anne's County Shed and Accessory Building Rules
Some RestrictionsQueen Anne's County Code § 18:1-45
B. Location restrictions. (1) A residential accessory structure: (a) May not be attached or connected in any manner to any other structure; and (b) Shall be located: [1] At least three feet from any property line; [2] Except as provided in Subsection B(2) of this section, at least six feet from the closest point of the principal building; and [3] Except as provided in Subsection B(3) of this se...
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