Before You Build in Anne Arundel County, MD: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

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 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 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 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 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 requires an electrical permit for hot tubs and, for tubs 24+ inches deep, the same barrier rules as pools under IRC Appendix G — unless the unit has an ASTM F1346 safety cover.

Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections & Permits requires building permit for pools. COMAR 26.04.02 applies to community pools. Critical Area pools need additional environmental review.

Above-ground pools in Anne Arundel County holding more than 24 inches of water require a building permit and 48-inch barrier. Pool wall may count as barrier if 48 inches tall with lockable access. HOAs frequently prohibit above-ground pools.

Anne Arundel County requires a building permit for any residential swimming pool and a compliant pool barrier under the Anne Arundel County Building Code, which adopts the International Residential Code (IRC) Appendix G. The barrier must be at least 4 feet (48 inches) tall, with no more than a 2-inch gap at the bottom, picket gaps no more than 4 inches wide, and self-closing/self-latching gates that open outward away from the pool.

Anne Arundel County pool safety rules include VGB-compliant drain covers, required depth markings, and proper chemical storage. No pool use during electrical storms. Bay waterfront pools must prevent chemical runoff to tidal waters.

Anne Arundel County updated its ADU rules in 2023 to allow ADUs in most residential districts without additional parking requirements. ADUs require a building permit and must not exceed 800 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling. No parking requirement for most ADUs.

Anne Arundel County allows garage conversions to habitable space with a building permit. Conversions creating a separate dwelling unit are classified as ADUs. Off-street parking replacement may be required if parking was part of zoning compliance.

Anne Arundel County treats foundation tiny houses under IRC Appendix Q (min. 70 sq ft habitable room) and under the Maryland HB 20 (2024) statewide ADU mandate. Tiny houses on wheels are RVs and cannot be used as permanent dwellings except in licensed RV parks.

Carports in Anne Arundel County require a building permit and are subject to Article 18 accessory-structure setbacks. Detached carports must typically be set back 5 feet from side/rear lines; attached carports follow the primary dwelling setbacks.

Anne Arundel County requires building permits for sheds over 144 sq ft. Sheds must meet zoning setbacks (typically 5 feet from rear and side lines). Not permitted in front yards. HOA approval typically required in organized communities.

Anne Arundel County recreational fire pits must be contained in a UL-listed appliance, attended at all times, and positioned 15 feet from structures. Only clean natural wood is permitted. No burning trash, treated wood, or yard debris.

Anne Arundel County permits small recreational fires (1 cubic yard or less of clean wood) and cooking fires without a license. Large-scale burning requires a county license from the Health Department. Leaf burning is prohibited year-round.

Anne Arundel County activates outdoor irrigation restrictions during drought advisories. Odd/even watering schedules and daytime irrigation bans may apply. Chesapeake Bay Critical Area requires Bay-friendly native plantings within 1,000 feet of tidal waters.

Routine tree removal on standard residential lots in Anne Arundel County does not require a permit. Chesapeake Bay Critical Area trees and those on lots over 40,000 sq ft undergoing development require permits and replacement planting.

Anne Arundel County's Forest Conservation Act requires tree permits for lots over 40,000 sq ft. Chesapeake Bay Critical Area buffer trees are protected. Specimen trees (30+ inches DBH) receive heightened review during development projects.