Representative photoRemodeling and building in Gibson Island
Gibson Island is a private, gated island community at the mouth of the Magothy River, connected to Pasadena by a causeway. It was laid out in the 1920s to a plan by the Olmsted Brothers landscape firm, with winding roads, large wooded lots and a wide mix of historic house styles, and it is run by the Gibson Island Corporation.
Permits in Gibson Island
Gibson Island is unincorporated, so building permits come from Anne Arundel County's Department of Inspections and Permits through the Land Use Navigator system, on top of any approvals the community itself requires.
More detail in our permit guide for Anne Arundel County and Annapolis, and our local guides to building near the water.
What to plan for in Gibson Island
Community rules first
The island is governed by the Gibson Island Corporation under recorded deed restrictions that go back to 1925, and entry is controlled at the gate. Before you design, ask the corporation what review your project needs and how contractors, deliveries and work hours are handled on the island; build that time into the schedule.
Critical Area on nearly every lot
Surrounded by the Magothy River and the Chesapeake Bay, most of the island is within 1,000 feet of tidal water. Expect lot coverage limits, a protected 100-foot shoreline buffer and strict rules on clearing trees, which matter on these heavily wooded lots. Plan piers, bulkheads and living shorelines as a separate, longer approval.
Historic houses, high-end finishes
Many homes date to the early decades of the community and follow its varied revival styles. Additions and renovations usually aim to match the original architecture and materials, so look for a contractor with experience in older, high-end homes and custom millwork.
Projects we match in Gibson Island
TBG project · MillersvilleKitchen remodels
Layouts, cabinets, counters and full gut renovations.
Representative photoBathroom remodels
Primary baths, hall baths and accessibility upgrades.
Representative photoAdditions
Bump-outs, second stories and in-law suites.
Representative photoBasement finishing
Living space, egress, bathrooms and waterproofing.
Representative photoNew custom homes
Build on your lot with a registered Maryland home builder.
Representative photoDecks & exteriors
Decks, porches, siding, windows and roofing.
Common questions
Who issues building permits in Gibson Island?
Anne Arundel County's Department of Inspections and Permits. Gibson Island is unincorporated, and new applications are filed online through the county's Land Use Navigator system.
Who does the work?
An independently owned contractor licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (and, for new homes, registered as a Maryland home builder). TBG makes the introduction; you contract directly with the builder.
Does matching cost anything?
No. It is free to homeowners. TBG is paid by its partner contractors.
How much of a deposit can a contractor take?
Under Maryland law, a home improvement contractor can collect no more than one-third of the contract price when the contract is signed.
