Anne Arundel County, MD Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- County Code § 18-12-701
- Max density R1/R2
- 125% of allowable density
- Max density R5/R10/R15/R22
- 150% of allowable density
- MPDU share above 115%
- 40% of additional units
- Approving official
- Planning and Zoning Officer
Summary
Anne Arundel County grants a density bonus of up to 150% of allowable residential density to developments that include moderately priced dwelling units, with bonus percentages tied to how much extra density is built.
A development that includes moderately priced dwelling units under Title 12 of Article 17 of this Code shall qualify for a density bonus by the Planning and Zoning Officer as follows: ... for developments that include more than 100% of allowable density up to 115% of the allowable density, 25% of the additional units must be moderately priced dwelling units; and ... for developments achieving greater than 115% of the allowable density, ... 40% of the additional units over 115% of allowable density must be moderately priced dwelling units.
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
Under County Code § 18-12-701, a development that includes moderately priced dwelling units under Article 17, Title 12 qualifies for a density bonus approved by the Planning and Zoning Officer. Build up to 100% of allowable density and no bonus units are required. Push density to 115%, and 25% of the extra units must be moderately priced; above 115%, that share rises to 40% of the additional units. R1 and R2 districts cap total density at 125% of the base allowance; R5, R10, R15, and R22 districts cap it at 150%.
Violations & Fines
A project cannot claim the extra density without meeting the moderately priced unit ratio; failing to hit the required 25% or 40% share means the Planning and Zoning Officer denies the bonus density outright.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Anne Arundel County offer a density bonus for affordable housing?
How much extra density can a project get?
What share of bonus units must be affordable?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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