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Anne Arundel County, MD Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit-exempt height
6 feet or less
Permit required on
waterfront property, corner lots
Enforcing agency
Dept. of Inspections and Permits
Violation penalty
$500-$1,000 civil fine (Class C)
Zoning setback
fences exempt from setback rules

Summary

Fences up to 6 feet tall are permit-exempt across unincorporated Anne Arundel County, but a permit is required regardless of height on waterfront property and corner lots with intersecting streets.

City-specific rules exist: Annapolis has its own height limits rules that differ from Anne Arundel County's county-level regulations. If you live in Annapolis, check the city-specific page instead.

Fences accessory to a residential structure not over 6 feet (1829 mm) high, except that permits are required for fences located on waterfront property and corner lots with intersecting streets.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Anne Arundel County Code § 15-2-101 adopts the International Building Code with local amendments, and § 105.2.1.2 of that Supplement exempts a fence accessory to a residential structure from a building permit only if it stays at or under 6 feet, and only on property that is not waterfront and not a corner lot with intersecting streets. Zoning rules layer on top: § 18-2-301(e) exempts fences from setback requirements, and § 18-2-204(b)(1) lets fences sit in the front yard, the Code Official in the Department of Inspections and Permits enforces both.

Violations & Fines

Building or replacing a fence without a required permit is a Class C civil offense: $500 for a first violation, up to $1,000 for a repeat violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a 5-foot fence in Anne Arundel County?
No: under § 105.2.1.2 of the County's Building Code Supplement, a residential fence 6 feet or under is exempt from a building permit, unless the lot is waterfront or a corner lot with intersecting streets.
Does Glen Burnie or Severna Park have its own fence ordinance?
No. Both are unincorporated communities with no municipal government, so the Anne Arundel County Code, including § 105.2.1.2 and the Article 18 zoning rules, is their only local fence law.
Can I put up a barbed-wire fence around my yard?
Only in limited cases: barbed wire is allowed in farming-zoned districts (RA, RLD, R1, R2) for agricultural use, and as added security atop a 6-foot chain-link fence in nonresidential zones, per § 18-2-205.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Anne Arundel County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsRetaining WallsSome RestrictionsMaterial RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsFence Permit RequirementsLight RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesLight RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue PermitsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Cat RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesSome Restrictions

All Anne Arundel County rules

How Anne Arundel County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland fence regulations overview

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Height Limits in Cities Across Anne Arundel County

Annapolis, MD