Anne Arundel County, MD Filming & Production: Street Closures (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- For exclusive/blocking use of public streets
- Filing deadline
- At least 90 days before, up to 1 year
- Application fee
- $100 (late-filing waiver only)
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Inspections and Permits
- First-offense fine
- $125 (Class D civil offense)
Summary
Filming that requires exclusive use or blocking of a public street in Anne Arundel County counts as a special event and needs a County permit filed at least 90 days ahead.
"Special event" means an activity, athletic event, concert, parade, or public assembly ... for which: 1. specific and exclusive use of public streets, alleys, rights-of-way, county waters, or other public property is required; 2. there will be a physical impediment to the safe flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic along roadways, or the physical blocking of access to a part or a whole roadway ... A person who organizes a special event shall obtain a permit under this title.
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 treats any activity needing exclusive use of a public street, or that physically blocks or impedes normal traffic flow, as a "special event" under County Code Title 11-11: this covers film and video shoots that close or occupy county roads, not just parades or races. A sponsor (which includes a production company) must obtain a special event permit before filming, applying at least 90 calendar days but not more than one year in advance through the Department of Inspections and Permits. The County can deny a permit for inadequate traffic control, insufficient security, or if County services needed exceed what is available, and can revoke it midway through if health or safety risks emerge. This applies countywide outside Annapolis and Highland Beach, including unincorporated communities like Glen Burnie and Severna Park, which have no separate film office of their own.
Violations & Fines
Filming without a required special event permit, or a venue owner knowingly allowing an unpermitted shoot, is a Class D civil offense under County Code § 11-1-105: $125 for a first violation, $500 for a second, $1,000 for a third or later violation, on top of possible permit denial or on-site termination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a film shoot need a special event permit in Anne Arundel County?
How far ahead must a production apply?
What can get a filming permit denied or revoked?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
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