ADUs Across the DMV
Makara ADU designs, permits, and builds accessory dwelling units across the Washington DC metro, in Maryland, Northern Virginia and the District. Every jurisdiction has different rules; here is where we build and how the rules compare.
- Maryland
- Montgomery · Anne Arundel · Annapolis · Frederick · Howard*
- Northern Virginia
- Arlington · Alexandria · Fairfax*
- Washington, DC
- Washington, DC
- Licensed in
- MD, VA & DC
- * Expanding
- New markets coming
- Licensed in MD, VA & DC
- Jurisdiction-Specific ADU Expertise
- Design → Permits → Build
- Free Property Eligibility Check
Where does Makara build ADUs?
Explore Each Jurisdiction
Open your county or city for the complete local ADU rules, permit process, and what Makara can build there.
- MarylandMontgomery CountyADUs up to up to 75% of the size of the primary house (ZTA 26-06). Serving Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville, and more.View rules →
- MarylandAnne Arundel CountyADUs up to lesser of 800 sq ft or 50% of primary home floor area.View rules →
- MarylandHoward CountyADUs up to 75% of the principal dwelling exterior footprint · Max 2 bedrooms.View rules →
- MarylandCity of RockvilleADUs up to up to 75% of the main house's floor area · a detached ADU may be 600 sq ft when the house is under 800 sq ft · a basement ADU may fill the basement.View rules →
- MarylandCity of AnnapolisADUs up to up to 850 sq ft of livable space (detached).View rules →
- MarylandFrederick CountyComing soonWe build here today. The full local guide is on its way; run the checker for your address in the meantime.Check my property →
- MarylandPrince George's CountyComing soonWe build here today. The full local guide is on its way; run the checker for your address in the meantime.Check my property →
- Don’t see your area?Check Your AddressWe’re expanding across the DMV. Tell us where you are and we’ll confirm current availability and your local rules.Get in touch →
- VirginiaArlington CountyADUs up to detached: max footprint 560 sq ft in R-5 and R-6, 650 sq ft in all other zones · ADU floor area up to 35% of the main house, max 750 sq ft (45%, max 500 sq ft, if the main house is under 1,000 sq ft).View rules →
- VirginiaCity of AlexandriaADUs up to the greater of one third of the house floor area, or 350 sq ft on lots up to 2,500 sq ft and 500 sq ft on larger lots. Serving Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, and more.View rules →
- VirginiaCity of FairfaxADUs up to up to 35% of the main house's floor area · a detached unit also no more than 50% of the house's footprint.View rules →
- VirginiaCity of Falls ChurchADUs up to where the house is 1,400 sq ft or more, the unit may not exceed 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the house gross floor area, whichever is less. Where the house is less than 1,400 sq ft, the ADU can be up to 700 sq ft.View rules →
- VirginiaFairfax CountyADUs up to detached: 1,200 sq ft · Attached: lesser of 800 sq ft or 40% of the main house.View rules →
- VirginiaLoudoun CountyComing soonWe build here today. The full local guide is on its way; run the checker for your address in the meantime.Check my property →
- Don’t see your area?Check Your AddressWe’re expanding across the DMV. Tell us where you are and we’ll confirm current availability and your local rules.Get in touch →
- Washington, DCWashington, DCComing soonWe build here today. The full local guide is on its way; run the checker for your address in the meantime.Check my property →
- Don’t see your area?Check Your AddressWe’re expanding across the DMV. Tell us where you are and we’ll confirm current availability and your local rules.Get in touch →
ADU Rules by Jurisdiction
The single biggest factor in what you can build is your jurisdiction’s size limit. Here is how our markets compare at a glance. Open any full guide for setbacks, permitting, and the complete rules.
| Jurisdiction | State | Max detached ADU size | Owner-occupancy | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | MD | Up to 75% of the size of the primary house (ZTA 26-06) | Required | View rules → |
| Arlington County | VA | Detached: max footprint 560 sq ft in R-5 and R-6, 650 sq ft in all other zones · ADU floor area up to 35% of the main house, max 750 sq ft (45%, max 500 sq ft, if the main house is under 1,000 sq ft) | Required | View rules → |
| City of Alexandria | VA | The greater of one third of the house floor area, or 350 sq ft on lots up to 2,500 sq ft and 500 sq ft on larger lots | Required | View rules → |
| Anne Arundel County | MD | Lesser of 800 sq ft or 50% of primary home floor area | Required | View rules → |
| City of Annapolis | MD | Up to 850 sq ft of livable space (detached) | — | View rules → |
| Howard County | MD | 75% of the principal dwelling exterior footprint · Max 2 bedrooms | Required | View rules → |
| Fairfax County | VA | Detached: 1,200 sq ft · Attached: lesser of 800 sq ft or 40% of the main house | Required | View rules → |
Where We Build FAQ
The questions homeowners ask most about our service area and how the rules differ.
Where does Makara build ADUs?
Makara ADU builds ADUs across the DC metro (the DMV). In Maryland we build in Montgomery County (including Bethesda and Silver Spring), Anne Arundel County (including the City of Annapolis), Howard County, Frederick County and Prince George's County. In Northern Virginia we build in Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County and parts of Loudoun County. We're licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and DC.
Are ADU rules the same across the DC metro?
No. Each jurisdiction sets its own size limits, setbacks, owner-occupancy requirements, and permitting process. The comparison table above summarizes the key differences, and each jurisdiction has a full guide with the complete rules, generated from the same data our eligibility checker uses.
What is changing in Maryland in October 2026?
Maryland's HB 1466 requires every county to allow ADUs on single-family lots by October 1, 2026, with a size limit of up to 75% of the primary home and no parking mandate without a study. Each Maryland guide notes the rules in force today and what the county has proposed.
Do you build ADUs in Northern Virginia?
Yes, in Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Fairfax County and Loudoun County. Virginia Code §15.2-2292.4 will require every locality to allow ADUs by right in single-family zones from July 1, 2027; localities that adopted an ADU ordinance before 2026 keep their own rules.
Is Makara licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and DC?
Yes. Maryland MHIC 151479, Virginia Class A Contractor License 2705184565, and DC Contractor License 410519000096.
What if my jurisdiction isn't listed yet?
We are expanding across the DMV. If your county or city isn't listed, run the free eligibility check or contact us and we will confirm current availability and your local rules.
Run the free eligibility check →Can You Build an ADU on Your Property?
Use our free eligibility checker to find out in about a minute, and get a personalized report for your jurisdiction sent to your inbox.