Anne Arundel County Building Permits: Quick Guide
The Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits handles building permit applications, construction plan reviews, inspections, trade permits, and code compliance for properties under the county’s jurisdiction in Maryland.
Most new permit applications are submitted through the county’s Land Use Navigator (LUN). You can also use LUN to check permit status, pay fees, schedule inspections, and view inspection results.
Start here: Open the official Land Use Navigator or check whether your project needs a permit.
Building Department Contact Information
Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits
2664 Riva Road
Heritage Office Complex
Annapolis, MD 21401
Visiting the office? Contact the Permit Center to confirm current counter hours, holiday closures, and whether an appointment is necessary. Do not assume other departments in the Heritage Office Complex have the same hours.
What Building Permits Are Required?
Permit requirements depend on the type of construction, location, size, and proposed use. Anne Arundel County provides a project-specific permit checker rather than one rule covering every improvement.
| Project | County permit guidance |
|---|---|
| New home or home addition | Building permit required. Additional grading, utility, or trade approvals may apply. |
| Interior alterations or finished basement | Generally requires a residential building permit when covered by the county’s alteration requirements. |
| Attached deck | Building permit required for new structural work and structural replacements. Replacing deck boards only does not require a building permit. |
| Detached deck | Some freestanding decks under 200 square feet and under 3 feet high may qualify for an exemption outside designated sensitive areas. |
| Residential shed | A detached shed not exceeding 150 square feet and 10 feet in height may be exempt outside the Critical Area. Location and attachment rules still apply. |
| Residential fence | Permits are required for fences over 6 feet, fences on corner lots, and fences on waterfront properties. |
| Roof replacement | Shingle-only replacement does not require a building permit; replacement involving sheathing or trusses requires one. |
| Solar installation | Residential solar installations require the applicable permit. Electrical permitting may also apply. |
| HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or gas work | Separate trade permits may be required and must be obtained by appropriately licensed professionals. |
| Commercial construction | Requires the appropriate nonresidential permit and may involve fire, accessibility, zoning, or site reviews. |
Check the county’s official project-by-project permit guidance.
How to Apply for an Anne Arundel County Building Permit
Effective December 1, 2025, the county requires online submission through LUN for most new permit applications. Exceptions include certain apartment submissions, associated trade applications, and revisions to existing paper applications.
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Confirm your property and permit category.
Visit the Do I Need a Permit? page. Search your property address, identify your project, and note the recommended permit record type. Choosing the wrong type can require a new application and additional payments.
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Prepare your application documents.
Gather the property address, project description, estimated construction value, applicant and contractor details, site plans, and construction drawings as applicable. LUN requires uploaded supporting documents in PDF format.
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Open Land Use Navigator and register.
Go to aacounty.org/lun. Select the registration option if you do not have an account. Complete the account and contact information, then sign in.
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Create the permit application.
From the LUN home page, select Permits → Create an Application. Read and accept the disclaimer, choose the correct record type, and continue.
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Select the property and applicant details.
Search by street number and street name or property tax account ID. Confirm the matching address, parcel, and ownership information. Add the required applicant and licensed professional contacts where applicable.
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Enter construction details and upload plans.
Complete the project-specific fields. Attach required PDFs, select each document type, and save the attachments. Review all information before certification.
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Submit and pay the assessed application fees.
Review the certification, proceed to checkout, and complete payment. Save the assigned record number. You can subsequently track review comments, submit permitted revisions, and obtain approved documents through LUN.
For screen-by-screen instructions, use the county’s official LUN permit application guide.
Documents Commonly Needed for Permit Review
Document requirements vary according to the proposed construction. Common submissions include:
- Site plan: Proposed construction, property boundaries, setbacks, easements, existing structures, and utility locations.
- Construction drawings: Dimensions, structural details, materials, and construction methods at a recognized architectural scale.
- Grading or drainage information: Required where land disturbance, stormwater management, or grading review applies.
- Critical Area documentation: Applicable worksheets or environmental approvals for properties within regulated Chesapeake Bay areas.
- Contractor information: Required licensing and registration details for work that must be performed or permitted by licensed professionals.
- Additional approvals: Zoning, fire protection, septic, health, right-of-way, or other agency approvals when required by the project.
For a new single-family home, the county may require construction plans, a site plan, and a standard grading plan. A Critical Area worksheet may also be required depending on the property. The exact list is shown for your permit type in LUN.
Find official applications, worksheets, checklists, and downloadable county forms.
Anne Arundel County Building Permit Fees in 2026
The county calculates building permit charges primarily from the estimated value of the construction. Its published fee schedule, labeled effective October 1, 2024, lists the following building permit amounts.
| Estimated Construction Value | Published Building Permit Fee |
|---|---|
| $0–$3,000 | $86 |
| $3,001–$5,000 | $103 |
| $5,001–$10,000 | $147 |
| $10,001–$15,000 | $164 |
| $15,001–$20,000 | $198 |
| $20,001–$25,000 | $242 |
| Above $25,000 | $242 + 1% of the estimated value exceeding $25,000 |
Additional application fee: The county lists a nonrefundable $43 application fee on building permits. A project with a $10,000 construction valuation would therefore have a published base building permit charge of $147 plus the $43 application fee, or $190 before any other applicable charges.
Separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, grading, impact, or utility-related fees may increase the total. The county also lists a $150 reinspection fee in certain missed or inaccessible inspection situations.
How to Check Building Permit Status
You do not need a registered account to search publicly available permit records in LUN. Access to certain documents or account-specific actions may require authentication.
- Open Land Use Navigator.
- Select Permits and search for the permit using available record or property information.
- For an application linked to your account, sign in and open My Records.
- Select the permit record number.
- Choose Record Info → Processing Status to review the current stage and available reviewer comments.
If corrections are requested, follow the available revision workflow and upload updated plans or a response-to-comments letter. Do not assume a completed review stage means the permit has been approved.
How to Schedule a Building Inspection
After the permit is issued, the permit holder is responsible for requesting the required inspections at the appropriate construction stages.
- Sign in to LUN. Open your issued permit from the Permits section or My Records.
- Locate the inspection menu. Select the record number, then Record Info → Inspections.
- Request the correct inspection. Choose Schedule or Request an Inspection and select the required inspection type.
- Choose an available date. Select an eligible date and an available scheduling option. A blue calendar date indicates inspections are conducted that day but does not guarantee an open appointment.
- Prepare the work area. Keep approved plans available and ensure the work requiring inspection remains visible and accessible.
- Check inspection results. Return to the Inspections area, locate the completed inspection, and open View Details to read the result and any comments.
Common inspection stages can include footings, foundations, framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, insulation, and final construction work. The specific stages depend on the approved project.
See the county’s inspection scheduling and results instructions.
Building Codes Enforced in Anne Arundel County
Building permits must comply with the adopted Maryland and Anne Arundel County construction requirements, including applicable local amendments.
| Code Category | Adopted Edition Listed for 2026 |
|---|---|
| International Building Code | 2021 IBC |
| International Residential Code | 2021 IRC |
| International Energy Conservation Code | 2021 IECC |
| International Existing Building Code | 2021 IEBC |
| International Mechanical Code | 2021 IMC |
| International Plumbing Code | 2021 IPC |
| International Fuel Gas Code | 2021 IFGC |
| National Electrical Code | 2020 NEC |
| International Swimming Pool and Spa Code | 2021 ISPSC |
| NFPA 1 / NFPA 101 | 2024 editions, effective May 25, 2026 |
The county records the principal 2021 International Code adoptions as effective June 23, 2024. Fire and life-safety code updates became effective in May 2026. Additional Maryland requirements and local amendments may apply depending on occupancy, construction type, and permit date.
Review the official code adoption history and related legislation.
Special Requirements for Waterfront and Critical Area Properties
Anne Arundel County includes extensive Chesapeake Bay shoreline and tidal tributaries. Construction near these waters may need environmental approvals beyond a standard building permit.
The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area generally covers designated land within 1,000 feet of tidal waters or tidal wetlands. Projects involving sheds, decks, grading, tree removal, shoreline stabilization, impervious coverage, or additions may face different requirements from similar projects elsewhere in the county.
Before ordering plans or construction materials, confirm whether the parcel is in a regulated Critical Area, whether a buffer applies, and whether zoning or environmental approval is needed.
Check official Critical Area information and county maps.
What Happens After a Permit Is Approved?
Issuance of a building permit authorizes the work described in the approved application, subject to its conditions. It does not eliminate the requirement for inspections or compliance with other applicable approvals.
- Keep the permit or a copy available at the construction site.
- Follow the approved plans and arrange inspections before concealing work that must be inspected.
- Request approval for substantial revisions before carrying out changed work when required.
- Address inspection deficiencies and arrange reinspections where necessary.
- Complete final inspections and obtain any required certificate of occupancy or final approval before using the space in a manner that requires it.
The county states that a permit generally expires if no work begins within one year after issuance. Extensions or renewals may be available under applicable rules and departmental approval; submit requests before deadlines where possible.
Official Anne Arundel County Permit Resources
- Inspections and Permits DepartmentOfficial department overview and contact information
- Land Use NavigatorApply, pay fees, find permits, and request inspections
- Permit Requirement CheckerDetermine the correct permit type and possible exemptions
- Application InstructionsDetailed LUN application and permit status help
- Permit Fee ScheduleBuilding and trade permit fees
- Inspection InstructionsSchedule inspections and check completed results
- Forms and PublicationsCounty applications, forms, and supporting documents
- Building Code Adoption HistoryCode editions and effective dates
Handling projects in another Maryland county? See our Baltimore County building permit guide for its separate permitting office, application portal, and inspection process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which office issues building permits in Anne Arundel County?
The Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits processes building permits for properties under county jurisdiction. Its Permit Center is at 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, Maryland. Properties within the City of Annapolis may instead fall under the city’s separate permitting authority.
2. Do I need a permit for a shed or fence?
A detached shed no larger than 150 square feet and 10 feet high may be exempt outside the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, provided other conditions are met. A shed within 3 feet of the principal structure requires a permit. Residential fences over 6 feet tall, on corner lots, or on waterfront properties require permits. Check the county’s property-specific rules before construction.
3. How do I apply for a building permit online?
Visit aacounty.org/lun, register or sign in, choose Permits and Create an Application, select the correct permit record type, enter property and project details, upload required PDF documents, and complete checkout. Save your record number for tracking and inspections.
4. What documents are required for a building permit?
Depending on the project, you may need a site plan, construction drawings, project description, estimated construction value, applicant and contractor information, grading plans, and relevant Critical Area or other approvals. Land Use Navigator identifies the required uploads for your permit type.
5. How much does a building permit cost in Anne Arundel County?
The county’s published building permit schedule begins at $86 for projects valued up to $3,000, plus a $43 nonrefundable application fee. Higher construction values have higher fees, and separate trade or development charges may apply. Confirm the final amount through Land Use Navigator.
6. Can I check building permit status without an account?
Yes. Land Use Navigator allows public searches of permitting and licensing records without registration. To review account-linked documents, detailed processing information, or submit revisions, you may need to sign in and open the appropriate permit record.
7. How do I schedule an inspection?
Sign in to Land Use Navigator, select your issued permit, open Record Info and then Inspections, and choose Schedule or Request an Inspection. Select the inspection type and an available scheduling option. You can return to the same section to review inspection results.
8. Can a homeowner apply for a building permit without a contractor?
Homeowners may apply for permits for qualifying ordinary repairs or construction on their owner-occupied dwelling. However, separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits generally require tradespeople licensed in Anne Arundel County. Contractor and owner-builder eligibility depend on the work involved.
9. Which building codes apply in Anne Arundel County in 2026?
The county lists the 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code, related 2021 construction codes, and the 2020 National Electrical Code. The 2024 editions of NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 took effect on May 25, 2026. Local amendments and project-specific requirements also apply.
10. How long is a building permit valid, and can it be renewed?
The county states that a permit generally expires when work has not begun within one year of issuance. Extensions or renewals may be available under county rules, subject to eligibility, deadlines, fees, and approval. Contact the Permit Center or use the available Land Use Navigator renewal process for your record.
Information reviewed: October 8, 2026. Based on publicly available Anne Arundel County and City of Annapolis government resources. Permit fees, code requirements, office procedures, and online portal features can change.
Independent information notice: USBuilding.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with, operated by, or endorsed by Anne Arundel County Government. Only the responsible government authority can issue permits, approve construction, and confirm binding requirements.