Accessory Structures in Worcester County, MD (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, a lot of record can have no more than one accessory apartment, located either in the principal dwelling or in an accessory building within one hundred feet of it. The unit must be at least five hundred square feet, no larger than nine hundred square feet, and hold no more than two bedrooms, under § ZS 1-338.
Worcester County MD Accessory Apartment Rules
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § ZS 1-338
(a) Purpose and intent. ... It is the specific purpose and intent to allow no more than one accessory apartment per lot of record through conversion of existing residential structures or construction of new residential facilities so as to provide the opportunity and encouragement to meet the special housing needs of persons of low and moderate income as well as relatives of families currently r...
ADU Rental Restrictions
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, an accessory apartment used as a short-term rental must be rented only in its entirety under § ZS 1-351(b)(3)B, within the same bedroom-based occupancy limits as a principal dwelling. Section ZS 1-338 allows one accessory apartment per existing single-family dwelling, and its owner-occupancy requirement was repealed in 2020.
Worcester County MD Accessory Apartment Rental Rules
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § ZS 1-351(b)
(2) Any property used or planned to be used for short-term rentals shall be limited to a single rental contract for any overnight period regardless of the number of available sleeping rooms in the principal dwelling unit or accessory apartment. ... B. Accessory apartments shall only be rented in their entirety and shall be subject to the occupancy limitations as contained in Subsection (b)(3)A,...
Shed & Carport Rules
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, § ZS 1-305(p) caps accessory structures at thirty percent of the required rear yard and requires accessory buildings to sit at least six feet from other buildings, any right-of-way and neighboring lot lines in A, E, V, R or RP Districts. A principal use must come first.
Worcester County MD Shed and Accessory Building Rules
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § ZS 1-305
(p) Limitations on accessory uses and structures. (1) Accessory structures shall not cover more than thirty percent of the required rear yard. (2) Accessory buildings shall be at least six feet from any other building on the same lot, from any right-of-way and from lot lines of adjoining lots which are in any A, E, V, R or RP District. (3) No accessory use or structure shall be permitted on a l...
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