--- title: "Roof, Siding & Window Permits in Anne Arundel County | TBG" description: "When a new roof, siding or windows need a permit in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis: shingles vs. sheathing, new openings, historic district approvals and fees." url: https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/roof-siding-permit-anne-arundel/ last_updated: 2026-10-14 --- [TBG](https://thebrettgroup.com/) / [Home Remodeling](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/) / Roof and siding permit guide Local guide · Anne Arundel County · October 2026 # Do you need a permit to replace a roof, siding or windows in Anne Arundel County? A shingles-only reroof doesn't need a county permit. Replacing the sheathing or trusses does. Here is how the county and the City of Annapolis treat roofs, siding and windows. Get matched with a builder who knows this - **Shingles only**: No county permit needed - **Sheathing**: Replacing it needs a building permit - **115 mph**: County design wind speed for roofs - **Historic**: Annapolis district needs approval for exterior changes | Project | County permit? | | --- | --- | | Replace shingles only | Not required | | Replace sheathing and shingles | Yes, building permit | | Replace or alter trusses or rafters | Yes, building permit | | New or enlarged window or door openings | Yes, an alteration | | Siding, same-size windows, gutters | Not addressed on the county's list; ask the Permit Center | | Any exterior change in the Annapolis Historic District | Yes, city Certificate of Approval | ## 1. Roofs Anne Arundel County's rule: "Replacement of shingles ONLY does not require a permit. Replacement of both sheathing and shingles and/or Trusses requires a building permit." That is filed as a Residential Single Family Dwelling permit in the Land Use Navigator. Since sheathing often turns out to be rotten once the old roof comes off, ask your roofer how they handle a mid-job permit before you sign. Whether or not a permit is needed, the county's residential code requires an ice barrier underlayment, and roofs are designed for a 115 mph wind speed and a 25 psf ground snow load. ## 2. Siding, windows and doors The county's "Do I need a permit?" list doesn't address siding, same-size window replacement or gutters. It does say alterations to a house need a permit, and cutting a new opening or enlarging one changes the structure, so plan on a permit for that. For anything unclear, the county asks homeowners to email permitcenterhelp@aacounty.org before starting. ## 3. Inside Annapolis city limits The City of Annapolis issues its own permits. City Code §17.05.020 exempts residential non-structural replacement or repair of windows, doors or siding from a building permit. In the Historic District, though, every exterior change needs a Certificate of Approval from the Historic Preservation Commission, including roofing, siding and windows. See our [City of Annapolis permit guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-city-building-permits/) and [historic district guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-historic-district-renovation/). ## 4. Fees and contractors County building permit fees are based on the cost of the work: a $18,000 reroof with new sheathing works out to $198, plus the $43 application fee. Try our [permit fee calculator](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/permit-fee-calculator-anne-arundel/). Roofing and siding contractors working on your home need a Maryland Home Improvement Commission license; see our [hiring guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/hiring-a-contractor-maryland/). ## Where this comes up most [Annapolis →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/annapolis/) · [Severna Park →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/severna-park/) · [Glen Burnie →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/glen-burnie/) · [Pasadena →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/pasadena/) · [Shady Side →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/shady-side/) · [Odenton →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/odenton/) ## Projects we match - [Decks & exteriors](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/decks-exteriors/anne-arundel/): Decks, porches, siding, windows and roofing. - [Additions](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/additions/anne-arundel/): Bump-outs, second stories and in-law suites. - [New custom homes](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/custom-homes/anne-arundel/): Build on your lot with a registered Maryland home builder. ## Common questions ### Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Anne Arundel County? Not for shingles only. Replacing the sheathing along with the shingles, or replacing trusses, requires a building permit. ### Do I need a permit to replace siding in Anne Arundel County? The county's permit list doesn't address siding. Email permitcenterhelp@aacounty.org to confirm for your project. In the City of Annapolis, non-structural siding replacement doesn't need a building permit, but the Historic District requires a Certificate of Approval. ### Do replacement windows need a permit? Cutting a new opening or enlarging one is an alteration that needs a permit. Same-size replacement isn't addressed on the county list; in the City of Annapolis it is exempt from a building permit outside the Historic District. ### What roof requirements apply in Anne Arundel County? The county requires an ice barrier underlayment, and roofs are designed for a 115 mph wind speed and a 25 psf ground snow load. ## Official sources [AA County: Do I need a permit?](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/permits/do-i-need-permit) · [AA County: Residential code requirements](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/building-codes/residential-code-requirements) · [AA County: Permit fees](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/fees/permit-fees) · [Annapolis City Code (Municode)](https://library.municode.com/md/annapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances) 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/) · [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/) · [Building permits in the City of Annapolis](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-city-building-permits/) · [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/)