--- title: "Building Permits in the City of Annapolis, MD | TBG" description: "Inside Annapolis city limits, permits come from the City, not the county. What needs one, the window and siding exemption, Historic District approval and setbacks." url: https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-city-building-permits/ last_updated: 2026-10-14 --- [TBG](https://thebrettgroup.com/) / [Home Remodeling](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/) / City of Annapolis permits Local guide · Anne Arundel County · October 2026 # Building permits in the City of Annapolis If your address is inside Annapolis city limits, your permit comes from the City's Department of Planning and Zoning, not Anne Arundel County. The rules are similar but not the same. Here are the differences that matter. Get matched with a builder who knows this - **City**: Issues permits inside Annapolis city limits - **2021**: IRC and IBC adopted by the City - **Historic**: Every exterior change in the district needs approval - **6 months**: Historic approval lapses if work hasn't started | | City of Annapolis | Anne Arundel County | | --- | --- | --- | | Who issues permits | City Dept. of Planning and Zoning | County Inspections and Permits | | Applying | City's online permit portal | Land Use Navigator | | Building code | 2021 IRC / IBC | 2021 IRC / IBC | | Non-structural window, door or siding replacement | No building permit (§17.05.020) | Not addressed on the county's list | | Historic review of exterior changes | Historic District: Certificate of Approval | Only for inventoried properties | | R2 house setbacks (front / rear / side) | 25 / 30 / 6 ft | 25 / 20 / 7 ft | ## 1. City or county? Many homes with an "Annapolis" mailing address are outside city limits and get county permits; Arnold, Riva, Edgewater and Cape St. Claire are all county. Check whether your property is inside the city before you apply, because the City's Department of Planning and Zoning handles permits, inspections, zoning, Critical Area review and historic preservation inside city limits. For county addresses, see [how to get a county permit](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/how-to-get-building-permit-anne-arundel/). ## 2. What needs a city permit Under City Code §17.05.010, a permit is required to build, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a structure, to change its use, and for electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing work. The main residential exemption (§17.05.020) is non-structural replacement or repair of windows, doors or siding. The City has adopted the 2021 International Residential and Building Codes. Fees are based on the fair market value of the work, including labor and materials, at rates set by City Council resolution. ## 3. The Historic District In the Historic District, every exterior change needs a Certificate of Approval from the Historic Preservation Commission (§21.56.040), even if the work is exempt from a building permit: windows, siding, roofing, fences, sheds and decks included. Staff can approve qualifying work administratively; larger changes go to a Commission hearing, and applications are due weeks ahead. A certificate expires if work hasn't started within 6 months. See our [historic district guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-historic-district-renovation/). ## 4. Zoning and setbacks City zoning is in Title 21 of the City Code. In R2, a single-family house needs a 25-foot front yard (or the established front yard on the block), 6-foot side yards that together equal at least 20% of the lot width, and a 30-foot rear yard, with a height limit of 2.5 stories and 35 feet. In R3, side yards are 5 feet. Confirm the zoning and any overlay for your lot. ## 5. Water and flooding Much of the city is waterfront. The City runs its own Critical Area overlay (Chapter 21.54), with a shoreline buffer of at least 100 feet, and no permit is issued until the Planning and Zoning Director finds the project complies. The Director is also the floodplain administrator, and the City's floodplain rules (Chapter 17.11) apply to work in flood zones. See our [flood-zone guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/flood-zone-renovation-anne-arundel/) and [Critical Area guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/building-near-the-water-critical-area/). ## Where this comes up most [Annapolis →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/annapolis/) · [Riva →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/riva/) · [Arnold →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/arnold/) · [Edgewater →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/edgewater/) · [Cape St. Claire →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/cape-st-claire/) · [Severna Park →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/severna-park/) ## Projects we match - [Kitchen remodels](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/kitchen/anne-arundel/): Layouts, cabinets, counters and full gut renovations. - [Bathroom remodels](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/bathroom/anne-arundel/): Primary baths, hall baths and accessibility upgrades. - [Decks & exteriors](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/decks-exteriors/anne-arundel/): Decks, porches, siding, windows and roofing. ## Common questions ### Who issues building permits in the City of Annapolis? The City's Department of Planning and Zoning, for addresses inside city limits. Homes with an Annapolis mailing address outside city limits get permits from Anne Arundel County. ### Do I need a permit to replace windows or siding in Annapolis? Not a building permit, if the replacement is non-structural (City Code §17.05.020). In the Historic District, you still need a Certificate of Approval from the Historic Preservation Commission. ### What are the setbacks in Annapolis R2 zoning? For a single-family house: a 25-foot front yard or the established front yard, 6-foot side yards totaling at least 20% of lot width, and a 30-foot rear yard, with a 35-foot height limit. ### How long is a Historic District approval good for? A Certificate of Approval expires if work has not started within 6 months. ## Official sources [Annapolis City Code (Municode)](https://library.municode.com/md/annapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances) · [City of Annapolis: Building permits](https://www.annapolis.gov/1064/Building-Permit-Information) This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules and maps change; confirm the requirements for your property with the permit office before you design or sign a contract. ## More local guides [Renovating or adding on in a flood zone in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/flood-zone-renovation-anne-arundel/) · [Building or adding on near the water: the Critical Area explained](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/building-near-the-water-critical-area/) · [Remodeling ideas for Anne Arundel County's most common house types](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/remodeling-anne-arundel-house-types/) · [Materials that hold up near the Chesapeake](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/chesapeake-coastal-building-materials/) · [Septic upgrades and Bay Restoration Fund grants in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/septic-upgrades-bay-restoration-fund/) · [Deck permits in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/deck-permits-anne-arundel/) · [In-law suites and accessory dwelling units in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/in-law-suites-adu-anne-arundel/) · [Energy rebates for Maryland home remodels in 2026](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/energy-rebates-maryland-remodel/) · [Renovating a home in the Annapolis historic district](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-historic-district-renovation/) · [Do you need a permit to finish a basement in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/basement-finishing-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/kitchen-remodel-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a bathroom remodel in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/bathroom-remodel-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a fence in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/fence-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a shed or detached garage in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/shed-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a pool or hot tub in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/pool-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit to replace a roof, siding or windows in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/roof-siding-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Permits for a home addition in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/home-addition-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Demolition permits in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/demolition-permit-anne-arundel/) · [How to get a building permit in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/how-to-get-building-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Buying or selling a house with unpermitted work in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/unpermitted-work-buying-selling-anne-arundel/) · [Anne Arundel County permit fee calculator](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/permit-fee-calculator-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a building permit in Baltimore County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/baltimore-county-building-permits/) · [Do you need a building permit in Howard County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/howard-county-building-permits/) · [Remodeling permits in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/permits-anne-arundel-annapolis/) · [How to hire a home improvement contractor in Maryland](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/hiring-a-contractor-maryland/)