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§ MD Anne Arundel County
County building permits

Unincorporated Anne Arundel County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits

Street address
Permit Center, 2664 Riva Road, Heritage Office Complex, Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone
410-222-7730
Email
ipmailbox@aacounty.org
Coverage
County-administered permitting in unincorporated areas of Anne Arundel County outside the City of Annapolis. County permitting frequently intersects with county zoning, Critical Area, floodplain, grading, stormwater, subdivision, and right-of-way approvals.
Online portal
Land Use Navigator (LUN)
Land Use Navigator
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Anne Arundel County

The county requires a building permit for a wide range of projects, depending on work scope and site conditions. Separate permits and approvals may also be needed from Planning and Zoning or Public Works.

Residential patios, though grading review may still be needed
Detached decks under 200 square feet and under 3 feet high if outside the Critical Area and Bog Contribution Drainage Area
Gazebos up to 150 square feet and 10 feet high outside the Critical Area
Shingle-only roof replacement
Solar panel removal
In-kind solar removal and reinstallation without a building permit, though with electrical permit still required
Sheds up to 150 square feet and 10 feet high outside the Critical Area
  • Exempt Residential patios, though grading review may still be needed
  • Exempt Detached decks under 200 square feet and under 3 feet high if outside the Critical Area and Bog Contribution Drainage Area
  • Exempt Gazebos up to 150 square feet and 10 feet high outside the Critical Area
  • Exempt Shingle-only roof replacement
  • Exempt Solar panel removal
  • Exempt In-kind solar removal and reinstallation without a building permit, though with electrical permit still required
  • Exempt Sheds up to 150 square feet and 10 feet high outside the Critical Area

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and other county review requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Department of Inspections and Permits before proceeding.

Required documents
  • Completed permit application
  • Site plans and plans as required by record type
  • Grading applications and worksheets where applicable
  • Contractor information and license verification
  • Supporting documents specific to permit type
Building code
2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IMC, 2020 NEC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 ISPSC, 2018 NFPA 1, 2018 NFPA 101, and related county amendments effective June 23, 2024.
Permit validity
Permit expires if no work is commenced within 1 year after issuance.
Owner-builder
Homeowners may apply for ordinary repairs or construction on their owner-occupied dwelling. Owner-builders of new homes may avoid the Home Builder Guaranty Fund fee by filing a Landowner Affidavit where eligible.
Contractor requirements
Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical work need separate trade permits and county-licensed tradesmen. County intake also verifies certain Maryland-issued licenses.

Source: Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: No countywide universal review-time table was located for all permit classes. LUN shows an approximate due date during review.

  1. 01
    Use the county 'Do I Need a Permit?' tool to identify the correct permit type and check whether related zoning, grading, trade, or right-of-way approvals also apply.
  2. 02
    Collect parcel and site information, including zoning, floodplain, Critical Area, bog, and utility conditions.
  3. 03
    Create a Land Use Navigator (LUN) account, select the proper record type, and enter contacts.
  4. 04
    Complete application fields and upload all required PDF documents.
  5. 05
    Review and certify the filing, then submit and pay through the LUN cart.
  6. 06
    Review comments and processing status in LUN, which can show an approximate due date; submit revisions if required.
  7. 07
    After issuance, schedule inspections, pass all required finals, and close out associated trade permits.

Typical processing time: No countywide universal review-time table was located for all permit classes. LUN shows an approximate due date during review.

Source: Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective 2026

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$86 minimum building permit fee plus $43 nonrefundable building application fee
02
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based for general building permits, culminating in $242 plus 0.010 times estimated cost above $25,000
03
Reinspection fee
$150 reinspection fee if the scheduled inspection is not canceled at least 24 hours in advance or the job is inaccessible

The county directs applicants to use LUN to determine cost. Online submission is now the standard path for most new applications.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2026) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
Inspection hours
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Time windows
LUN shows available blue dates and all-day availability where slots remain

Typical sequence: Permit must be active for 24 hours before the first inspection. All associated trade permits must pass final inspections before the final building inspection. Commercial and tenant-improvement jobs also require Fire Marshal final first.

Source: Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Anne Arundel County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD? ▸
The county requires a building permit for a wide range of projects, depending on work scope and site conditions. Separate permits and approvals may also be needed from Planning and Zoning or Public Works.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $86 minimum building permit fee plus $43 nonrefundable building application fee. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based for general building permits, culminating in $242 plus 0.010 times estimated cost above $25,000.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD, follow these steps: 1. Use the county 'Do I Need a Permit?' tool to identify the correct permit type and check whether related zoning, grading, trade, or right-of-way approvals also apply. 2. Collect parcel and site information, including zoning, floodplain, Critical Area, bog, and utility conditions. 3. Create a Land Use Navigator (LUN) account, select the proper record type, and enter contacts. 4. Complete application fields and upload all required PDF documents. 5. Review and certify the filing, then submit and pay through the LUN cart. 6. Review comments and processing status in LUN, which can show an approximate due date; submit revisions if required. 7. After issuance, schedule inspections, pass all required finals, and close out associated trade permits.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD typically run No countywide universal review-time table was located for all permit classes. LUN shows an approximate due date during review.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD. The following work is generally exempt: Residential patios, though grading review may still be needed; Detached decks under 200 square feet and under 3 feet high if outside the Critical Area and Bog Contribution Drainage Area; Gazebos up to 150 square feet and 10 feet high outside the Critical Area; Shingle-only roof replacement; Solar panel removal; In-kind solar removal and reinstallation without a building permit, though with electrical permit still required; Sheds up to 150 square feet and 10 feet high outside the Critical Area. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and other county review requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Department of Inspections and Permits before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, MD via: Land Use Navigator (LUN) portal, 410-222-7784.
last verified April 2026 source Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits ↗ entry id permits/maryland/anne-arundel/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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