Build Your ADU in Anne Arundel County, MD
Makara ADU designs, permits and builds accessory dwelling units to Anne Arundel County’s rules, and builds nothing else.
- ADU max size
- Lesser of 800 sq ft or 50% of primary home floor area
- Minimum lot size
- No minimum
- Owner occupancy
- Required
- Off-street parking
- No additional parking required
- Allowed by
- Right, in permitted zones
- Rules current as of
- 2026-01-01
- Licensed & Insured in Maryland (MHIC 151479)
- Anne Arundel County ADU Specialists
- Full-Service: Design → Permits → Build
- Free Property Eligibility Assessment
Can you build an ADU in Anne Arundel County, MD?
Anne Arundel County ADU Guidelines
The rules that decide whether, and what, you can build. The table below carries the specifics.
Up to 1,000 Sq Ft
For detached ADUs, it's the lesser of 800 sq ft or 50% of the primary home. For attached, the max is 1,000 sq ft.
Permitted by right
All residential zones. No minimum lot size.
Accessory-Structure Setbacks
Per accessory structure standards · No variances for new construction
Off-street spaces
No additional parking required
Owner must live on site
Short-term rentals permitted while the property is owner-occupied
Governing ordinance
Anne Arundel County Bill 6-23, §18-10-121
Check Your Address
Run our free eligibility check and get Anne Arundel County’s rules applied to your exact lot in about a minute.
Check my property →| Requirement | Anne Arundel County standard |
|---|---|
| Allowed by | Right, in permitted zones |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum |
| Permitted zones | All residential zones |
| Detached maximum | Lesser of 800 sq ft or 50% of the primary home floor area |
| Attached maximum | 1,000 sq ft |
| Setbacks | Per accessory structure standards · No variances for new construction |
| Parking | No additional parking required |
| Owner occupancy | Required |
| Garage or basement conversion | Allowed |
| Who may live there | Short-term rentals permitted while the property is owner-occupied |
| Ordinance | Anne Arundel County Bill 6-23, §18-10-121 |
| Rules current as of | 2026-01-01 |
The Anne Arundel County ADU Permit Process
Makara ADU handles this entire process from design to move-in, full turn-key.
- 01
Zoning & Eligibility
Confirm the district (any residential district except R22) and calculate the size limit from the house's floor area. Makara ADU does this free with our property eligibility checker.
- 02
Design & Drawings
Architectural and structural plans to the county's residential code, set to the accessory-structure setbacks, since no variance is available for new construction.
- 03
Building Permits & Build
Building and trades permits from the county; construction proceeds with county inspections along the way.
- 04
Final Inspection & Occupancy
The county's final inspection and certificate of occupancy, then keys in hand, ready to occupy or rent while the owner remains in residence.
Anne Arundel County’s ADU Specialists
We don't build everything. We build ADUs. Based in Gaithersburg, we work with local permitting offices every week and know how each jurisdiction's rules shape what can be built.
Local Rules, Known Cold
Every jurisdiction we serve has its own size limits, setbacks, parking and occupancy rules. We track them, and the eligibility checker on this page runs on that same data.
One Contractor, Start to Finish
Architecture, engineering, permits, foundation, framing, MEP, sprinklers, finishes, and the rental license — Makara ADU manages everything under one contract. No coordinating separate architects, engineers, and builders.
Fixed-Price Proposals
We quote your project in full before a shovel goes in the ground. No surprise change orders mid-construction — we plan for lot coverage, stormwater, and utility connections up front.
Built for Aging in Place & Family
Most of our Anne Arundel County clients build to keep aging parents or adult children close. We design single-floor, accessible units that work beautifully today and adapt gracefully over time.
ADU Types We Build in Anne Arundel County
Most jurisdictions allow more than one ADU configuration. We help you choose the right one for your lot, your zone and your goals.
Detached Backyard Cottage
A fully independent structure in your backyard with its own entrance, kitchen and bath. The most flexible option, and the one most people picture. Size and placement follow the rules in the table above.
Attached Second Home
Add an attached ADU with its own separate entrance, kitchen, and bath. Makara ADU will collaborate with you to design the space to be functional to meet your needs while creating an aesthetically pleasing space that will add value to your life, family and your home.
Basement and Garage Conversions
Convert an existing garage or basement into a legal, licensed ADU — the most cost-effective path to added living space, and often faster to permit than new construction.
ADUs We’ve Built Recently
A sample of ADUs we have completed.
Anne Arundel County ADU FAQ
Is there a minimum lot size for an ADU in Anne Arundel County?
No. Bill 6-23 removed the previous lot-size requirement.
How big can an ADU be in Anne Arundel County?
A detached unit: the lesser of 800 square feet or 50% of the house's floor area. An attached unit: up to 1,000 square feet.
Can I rent out an ADU in Anne Arundel County?
Yes, long-term or short-term, provided the owner lives on the property.
Is extra parking required?
No. Bill 6-23 repealed the parking requirement for accessory dwelling units.
Are there impact fees?
An accessory dwelling unit is exempt from development impact fees if it is not built concurrently with the house.
Is Your Anne Arundel County Property Eligible for an ADU?
Use our free eligibility checker to find out in about a minute, and get a personalized report sent to your inbox.