Anne Arundel County, MD Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Statute
- § 18-2-207, County Code
- Application deadline
- Sept. 21, 2024 (90 days)
- Reviewing officer
- Planning and Zoning Officer
- Qualifying period
- Outdoor seating Mar 2020–May 2021
- If not approved
- Must meet standard zoning rules
Summary
Anne Arundel County lets restaurants that set up pandemic-era outdoor seating keep it permanently under § 18-2-207, but only if they applied to the Planning and Zoning Officer within 90 days of June 23, 2024: a window that closed September 21, 2024.
Subject to subsection (d), a food service facility may continue to utilize outdoor seating for food and beverage service if: (1) the food service facility has utilized outdoor seating pursuant to Executive Order No. 22, dated May 29, 2020, issued by County Executive Pittman, as renewed by Executive Order No. 46, dated April 27, 2021, issued by County Executive Pittman, continuously since a date between March 13, 2020, and May 21, 2021;
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
Restaurants and other food service facilities that added outdoor seating under County Executive Pittman's 2020-21 emergency orders (and Bill No. 55-21) could keep it permanently under § 18-2-207 if they used it continuously since a date between March 13, 2020 and May 21, 2021, stayed in compliance the whole time, and filed an application with the Planning and Zoning Officer within 90 days of June 23, 2024. The Officer had sole discretion to approve continued use in a written determination. This applies countywide, including unincorporated communities like Glen Burnie and Severna Park. Annapolis and Highland Beach run their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Outdoor seating that never applied, missed the September 21, 2024 deadline, or was denied a written determination doesn't qualify for the permanent grandfather; the facility must instead meet all other applicable zoning provisions for outdoor seating, and the Office of Planning and Zoning can require compliance or removal as with any zoning violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Glen Burnie restaurant keep its pandemic-era outdoor seating permanently?
What happens if a restaurant missed the application deadline?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland special events & permits overview
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