Homeowners Can Now Build 2nd Property On Lots Thanks To New Anne Arundel County Law

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — A recently passed law made it easier to build second, smaller homes on Anne Arundel County properties.

These additional residences, called accessory dwelling units or ADUs, were a contentious issue. Still, the Anne Arundel County Council passed the measure unanimously on April 3. County Executive Steuart Pittman plans to sign the bill into law this Wednesday.

Supporters think accessory dwelling units will improve access to affordable housing. Critics argue that they hurt curbside appeal and strain community resources.

"No one is willing to speak plain language. This is a second house on a property," Claire Corcoran of the Hillsmere Shores Improvement Association said, according to The Capital. "I don't think that fits here. It just doesn't."

The bill was sponsored by the council's four Democratic members: Lisa Rodvien (District 6), Vice Chair Allison Pickard (District 2), Julie Hummer (District 4) and Chair Pete Smith (District 1).

Rodvien was frustrated that residents contested these smaller units, which take a significant investment of time and money to launch. She claimed that larger homes, which require more land, don't spark as much debate.

"I have never, in my five years, heard a complaint, about that kind of land use. This is much more modest," Rodvien said, according to The Capital. "This is not going to be Anne Arundel County taken over by ADUs."

The legislation eventually won over Republican lawmakers Nathan Volke (District 3), Amanda Fiedler (District 5) and Shannon Leadbetter (District 7).

The Capital reported that Volke appreciated the extra freedom that the law gives homeowners. Fiedler voted in favor because opposing homeowner associations can still prohibit accessory dwelling units in their bylaws, the newspaper said.

The law makes it easier to build accessory dwelling units by removing capital facility connection charges and impact fees.

Accessory dwelling units were previously allowed on lots that spanned at least 14,000 square feet. The extra units also had to be connected to the primary residence. They could not be connected by a breezeway or an attached garage.

Now, accessory dwelling units are allowed on all lots with the provision that only one extra unit is allowed per property. They can be detached structures, but they may not be mobile homes or premanufactured houses.

A detached accessory dwelling unit may not exceed the lesser of 800 square feet or half the floor area of the main single-family home.

The main home or the accessory dwelling unit may be used for short-term rentals if the owner occupies at least one of those properties.

This lets owners list accessory dwelling units on vacation rental sites like Airbnb and Vrbo.

The legislation takes effect 45 days after it becomes law.

The full law, known as Bill 6-23, is posted here.

Residents can read more community reactions in The Capital's full story. That article is only available to subscribers.

Anybody with an Anne Arundel County Public Library card can read the story by searching "Accessory dwelling units" at this link.