Anne Arundel County, MD Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning status
- Permitted (P): no hearing needed
- Applies to zones
- RA, RLD, R1, R2, R5, R10, R15, R22
- Community/utility solar
- Needs special exception, §§ 18-10-165/166
- Ground-mount cap
- Panel area ≤ home's roof area
- Building permit
- Still required from Inspections and Permits
Summary
Rooftop solar panels for home use are a permitted use by right in every Anne Arundel County residential zone, with no special exception, conditional-use hearing, or zoning variance required before installation.
The permitted, conditional, and special exception uses allowed in each of the residential districts are listed in the chart in this section using the following key: P = permitted use; C = conditional use; SE = special exception use... Solar energy generating facility – accessory P P P P P P P P
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
Code § 18-4-106's zoning use table lists "solar energy generating facility – accessory" as a P (permitted) use in all eight residential districts, RA, RLD, R1, R2, R5, R10, R15 and R22, which cover unincorporated communities such as Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Pasadena, and Odenton. A homeowner adding rooftop panels for on-site use does not need a special exception or conditional-use hearing before the Office of Planning and Zoning, unlike community or utility-scale solar farms, which require a special exception under §§ 18-10-165 and 18-10-166. A standard building and electrical permit from Inspections and Permits is still required to install the system.
Violations & Fines
If ground-mounted panel area exceeds the roofed square footage of existing structures on the lot, the installation no longer qualifies as "accessory" under § 18-1-101 and instead triggers Article 17 subdivision development review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special zoning permit for rooftop solar panels in Anne Arundel County?
Does this cover unincorporated areas like Glen Burnie or Severna Park?
What if I want a large ground-mounted solar array instead of rooftop panels?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland solar energy overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.