Maryland / Anne Arundel County
Shed Permit in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before building a detached shed over 150 sq ft or over 10 feet average height, any shed in the critical area, or a shed within 3 feet of the house.
Issued byAnne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Outside Annapolis, a one-story detached residential shed is exempt when its average height does not exceed 10 feet and its floor area does not exceed 150 square feet, except that every accessory structure in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area needs a permit. The county's permit guide adds that a shed within 3 feet of the principal structure counts as attached and always requires a permit (filed as a Single Family Dwelling permit); detached sheds use the Residential Accessory Structure permit.
Typical threshold: one-story detached shed accessory to a residence, average height not over 10 feet; every shed in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and any shed within 3 feet of the house needs a permit.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before building a detached shed over 150 sq ft or over 10 feet average height, any shed in the critical area, or a shed within 3 feet of the house.
What a shed permit costs in Anne Arundel County
How Anne Arundel County compares in Maryland
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel Countythis page | It depends | one-story detached shed accessory to a residence, average height not over 10 feet; every shed in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and any shed within 3 feet of the house needs a permit |
| Baltimore County | It depends | accessory structure floor area |
| Howard County | It depends | sheds under 200 sq ft (one-story, non-conditioned, detached) are exempt from a building permit; 200 sq ft or more requires a Miscellaneous Structures building permit |
| Montgomery County | Permit required | Any size |
| Prince George's County | It depends | floor space of a one-story detached accessory structure, and only one such exempt structure is allowed per property |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Maryland
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Anne Arundel County's 150 sq ft of floor area.
- San Francisco, California, one-story detached storage shed or playhouse; a 10-foot height limit also applies
How to apply in Anne Arundel County
In Anne Arundel County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.
What most shed permit applications include:
- For Anne Arundel County, a written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
- For Anne Arundel County, a scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
- Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
- Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).
General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center sets the exact checklist for Anne Arundel County.
Where to apply in Anne Arundel County:
Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center
- 2664 Riva Road, Heritage Office Complex, Annapolis, MD 21401
- Phone: (410) 222-7730
- Email: permitcenterhelp@aacounty.org
Shed Permit in Anne Arundel County compared with nearby Maryland localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Maryland schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel County | It depends | one-story detached shed accessory to a residence, average height not over 10 feet; every shed in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and any shed within 3 feet of the house needs a permit | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... | |
| Baltimore County | It depends | accessory structure floor area | ...Permit Fee Schedule effective 07/01/26: Accessory Structure, Under 1000 sf... | |
| Howard County | It depends | sheds under 200 sq ft (one-story, non-conditioned, detached) are exempt from a building permit; 200 sq ft or more requires a Miscellaneous Structures building permit | $50 per structure for sheds over 200 and up to 400 sq ft (Miscellaneous Structures... | |
| Montgomery County | Permit required | Any size | Priced as an Accessory Building: $136.80 flat for 200 sq ft or less, or $0.8830 per sq... | |
| Prince George's County | It depends | floor space of a one-story detached accessory structure, and only one such exempt structure is allowed per property | DPIE Fee Schedule, effective March 2, 2025, line item "Shed > 150 Sq Ft", $1.17 per SF:... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Anne Arundel County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
- Foundation or anchor inspection in Anne Arundel County: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
- Frame inspection in Anne Arundel County: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
- Final inspection in Anne Arundel County: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
- In Anne Arundel County: for a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Anne Arundel County permit portal or by phone at (410) 222-7730.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Shed Permit checklist for Anne Arundel County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: one-story detached shed accessory to a residence, average height not over 10 feet; every shed in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and any shed within 3 feet of the house needs a permit. Usually needed: Before building a detached shed over 150 sq ft or over 10 feet average height, any shed in the critical area, or a shed within 3 feet of the house.
- Budget the fee. Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 | $242.00 plus .010 times estimated cost above $25,000.00", plus "A non-refundable application fee of $43.00 will be added to all building permits." Minimum Building Permit Fee $86.00 (Permit Fees page, effective October 1, 2024). Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Anne Arundel County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the Anne Arundel County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center. Phone: (410) 222-7730. Address: 2664 Riva Road, Heritage Office Complex, Annapolis, MD 21401.
- Plan for inspections. In Anne Arundel County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Anne Arundel County?
- Outside Annapolis, a one-story detached residential shed is exempt when its average height does not exceed 10 feet and its floor area does not exceed 150 square feet, except that every accessory structure in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area needs a permit. The county's permit guide adds that a shed within 3 feet of the principal structure counts as attached and always requires a permit (filed as a Single Family Dwelling permit); detached sheds use the Residential Accessory Structure permit. One-story detached shed accessory to a residence, average height not over 10 feet; every shed in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and any shed within 3 feet of the house needs a permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Anne Arundel County?
- Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 | $242.00 plus .010 times estimated cost above $25,000.00", plus "A non-refundable application fee of $43.00 will be added to all building permits." Minimum Building Permit Fee $86.00 (Permit Fees page, effective October 1, 2024). See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Anne Arundel County?
- You can apply through the Anne Arundel County permit portal or contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Anne Arundel County?
- Under Maryland law (Md. Code, Bus. Occ. and Prof. 12-301(b), 6-607(1); Public Safety 12-505): It depends on the trade and the county. Plumbing: state law exempts an individual who personally provides plumbing services in their own residence, but homeowners may not make final connections between the residence and public or private water supply or disposal systems, and Baltimore County plus the WSSC-area counties are largely carved out of the state plumbing title. Electrical: the Maryland Electricians Act prohibits providing electrical services for compensation without a license; it has no express homeowner exemption, so uncompensated work on one's own home falls outside the licensing prohibition, but each county decides whether it will issue an electrical permit to an unlicensed homeowner. Building permits are issued by local jurisdictions, which set their own owner-applicant rules. Confirm how Anne Arundel County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Anne Arundel County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Before moving or replacing fixtures or piping, adding circuits, or relocating or... | Trade permits as scoped: plumbing "First plumbing fixture | $51.00", "Each additional... |
| Deck Permit | It depends | detached residential deck not more than 30 inches above grade and not attached to any structure; attached decks and decks in the critical area always need a permit | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Before installing, altering or replacing wiring, circuits, fixtures, panels or services | ...not include service change or subpanel) | Any number of electrical devices |... |
| EV Charger Permit | It depends | Before installing a hardwired charger or a new circuit or receptacle for one | ...not include service change or subpanel) | Any number of electrical devices |... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | height of a fence accessory to a residential structure; any fence on waterfront property or a corner lot with intersecting streets needs a permit regardless of height | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | Before installing or replacing a furnace, heat pump, central air conditioner or ductwork | Mechanical, residential: "Heating and Air Conditioning | $121.00", "Heating System |... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | patio height above adjacent grade; the exemption also requires that the patio is not over a basement or story below and is not part of an accessible route | ...a building permit is valuation-based: Building permits are valuation-based:... |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | Before adding, relocating or replacing fixtures or piping | ...plumbing and all commercial plumbing work": "First plumbing fixture | $51.00"... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | prefabricated pools; every in-ground pool and every hot tub needs a permit | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | Before replacing roof sheathing together with shingles, or any trusses | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...on the estimated value of the work": Building permits are valuation-based:... |
| Water Heater Permit | Permit required | Any size | Plumbing: "First plumbing fixture | $51.00" plus a $43.00 application fee |
Shed Permit in other Maryland localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Anne Arundel County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
- IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC
- IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC
How this shed permit page for Anne Arundel County was verified. 2 official sources: aacounty.org, codelibrary.amlegal.com; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
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