Anne Arundel County, MD Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Anne Arundel County Inspections & Permits issues combined building and electrical permits for residential PV systems, with an expedited review pathway for standard roof-mounted systems up to 20 kW. Plans must show panel layout on a roof plan, a structural letter (prescriptive per IRC Table 301.5 or sealed by a Maryland-licensed PE), an electrical line diagram with AC/DC ratings, conductor sizing, and the labeled rapid-shutdown and disconnect locations. Fire setbacks follow IRC Appendix R / IFC 2018: 18-inch pathway at ridges and 36-inch setback from roof edges unless the home has compliant automatic sprinklers. Ground-mounted arrays in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area (1,000-ft tidal buffer along the Severn, Magothy, South, West, Rhode, and Patuxent watersheds) are subject to RCA/LDA impervious caps, buffer setbacks, and Critical Area Commission review. Interconnection is through BGE (most of the county), SMECO (southern portions near Lothian/Harwood), and Annapolis's BGE service with Maryland net metering under COMAR 20.50.10. The Maryland Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program ($1,000 per system) and state sales-tax exemption apply.