--- title: "Shed & Accessory Building Rules in Annapolis City | TBG" description: "Inside Annapolis city limits: shed setbacks by zone, height near lot lines, when a building permit is needed, lot coverage and Historic District approval." url: https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/shed-permit-annapolis-city/ last_updated: 2026-10-14 --- [TBG](https://thebrettgroup.com/) / [Home Remodeling](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/) / Annapolis city shed rules Local guide · City of Annapolis · October 2026 # Sheds and accessory buildings in the City of Annapolis A small shed may not need a city building permit, but it still has to meet the City's zoning setbacks, height limits and, in the Historic District, design review. Here are the numbers by zone. Get matched with a builder who knows this - **200 sq ft**: One-story sheds this size or smaller: no building permit - **2 ft**: Rear setback for sheds in R2, R3 and R4 - **16 ft**: Highest ridge within 5 ft of a lot line - **50%**: Most of any required yard a shed can cover | Zone | Front | Interior side | Corner side | Rear | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | R1 | 30 ft | 8 ft (5 ft in rear quarter of lot) | 20 ft | 5 ft | | R2 | 30 ft | 6 ft (2 ft in rear quarter) | 15 ft | 2 ft | | R3 | 20 ft | 5 ft (2 ft in rear quarter) | 15 ft | 2 ft | | R4 | 15 ft | 5 ft (2 ft in rear quarter) | 10 ft | 2 ft | Setbacks for buildings accessory to single-family homes, from the City Code bulk tables (§21.50.010, .040, .060, .100). R2-NC and R3-NC follow R2 and R3. ## 1. Building permit or not The City adopted the 2021 International Residential Code without changing its exemptions, and that code exempts one-story detached accessory buildings of 200 square feet or less from a building permit. Larger sheds, garages and anything with power need a permit (§17.05.010). Exempt or not, zoning, Critical Area and Historic District rules still apply (§17.05.020); confirm with the City's Department of Planning and Zoning before you buy or build. ## 2. Size, height and placement - A detached accessory building can cover no more than **50% of any required yard**, can't be taller than the house, and must be at least 3 feet from other buildings (§21.38.030). - Within 5 feet of a property line (other than a rear line on an alley), the cornice can be no higher than **8 feet** and the ridge no higher than **16 feet** in R1, R2 and R3. - On corner lots, accessory buildings can't sit in the street-side side yard. - An attached shed or garage must meet the house's setbacks. - Accessory buildings count toward lot coverage (30% maximum in R1) and floor area. ## 3. Waterfront lots In the Critical Area, sheds count toward lot coverage, which is capped at 15% in Limited Development and Resource Conservation Areas and 50% in Intensely Developed Areas, with special limits for small pre-1985 lots (§21.54). Keep sheds out of the 100-foot shoreline buffer. See our [Critical Area guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/building-near-the-water-critical-area/). ## 4. The Historic District The City Code counts sheds as structures, so a shed in the Historic District that is visible from a public way needs a Certificate of Approval from the Historic Preservation Commission before it goes up (§21.56.040). See our [historic district guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-historic-district-renovation/). ## 5. City or county? Outside city limits, Anne Arundel County exempts sheds of 150 square feet or less and 10 feet or under, except in the Critical Area; see our [county shed guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/shed-permit-anne-arundel/) and the [City of Annapolis permit guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-city-building-permits/). ## Where this comes up most [Annapolis →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/annapolis/) · [Arnold →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/arnold/) · [Edgewater →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/edgewater/) ## 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 for a shed in the City of Annapolis? Not a building permit for a one-story detached shed of 200 square feet or less, under the 2021 residential code the City adopted. It must still meet zoning setbacks and, in the Historic District, get Historic Preservation Commission approval. ### How close to the property line can a shed be in Annapolis? In R2, R3 and R4, as close as 2 feet to the rear line and 2 feet to the side line in the rear quarter of the lot. In R1, 5 feet. Within 5 feet of a line, the ridge can be no higher than 16 feet. ### How big can a shed be in Annapolis? A detached accessory building can cover no more than half of any required yard and can't be taller than the house. Over 200 square feet it needs a building permit. ### Does a shed count toward lot coverage in the Critical Area? Yes. Sheds count toward Critical Area lot coverage, capped at 15% on most residential lots outside Intensely Developed Areas. ## Official sources [Annapolis City Code (Municode)](https://library.municode.com/md/annapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances) · [§17.05.010 Building permits](https://library.municode.com/md/annapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17BUCO_CH17.05BUCO_17.05.010BUPEEQ) · [§21.38.030 Accessory building rules](https://library.municode.com/md/annapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT21PLZO_DIVIIIBADIRE_CH21.38REAPALDI_21.38.030BURE) · [§21.54.105 Critical Area buffer](https://library.municode.com/md/annapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT21PLZO_DIVIVOVDIRE_CH21.54CRAROV_21.54.105THBU) · [§21.56.040 Certificate of approval](https://library.municode.com/md/annapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT21PLZO_DIVIVOVDIRE_CH21.56HIDI_ARTIAPEXCH_21.56.040CEAP) 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/) · [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/) · [Deck permits in the City of Annapolis](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/deck-permit-annapolis-city/) · [Fence permits in the City of Annapolis](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/fence-permit-annapolis-city/) · [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/)