Annapolis, MD (October 15, 2026) – Today, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman joined the Department of Inspections and Permits to host a live efficiency showcase, highlighting major turnaround time reductions and digital modernization across the county’s permitting system.
"Reducing permit turnaround times has been our goal for a long time. Today’s announcement that we’ve cut them all by a third to a half in just three years is a huge win for our businesses, our residents, and our public servants,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “But we can do more. If the County Council passes our zoning code update on Monday night, the bottlenecks caused by twenty years of code inconsistencies and obscurities will finally be removed. That will allow the next administration to move permits even more efficiently.”
Since the county launched its upgraded digital permitting portal, online application adoption has climbed from 70% to nearly 94% and processing times have dropped dramatically while the total number of permit applications has remained consistent. Permit review times for standard projects have been cut by 34% to 50% across all categories:
- Roof Mounted Solar: Reviewed in roughly 1.2 business days (down from 2.4 business days in 2024)
- Decks, Fences, Sheds, & Small Interior Renovation: Reviewed in roughly 2.4 business days (down from 4.7 business days in 2024)
- Tenant Improvements Permits: Reviewed in roughly 3.8 business days (down from 7 business days in 2024)
- New Single Family Dwellings / Single Family Attached in Subdivisions: Reviewed in roughly 4.1 business days (down from 6.2 business days in 2024)
"Dramatically reducing permit review times is a direct result of our team's commitment to continuous improvement,” said Mark Wedemeyer, Director of Inspections and Permits. “Moving nearly 94% of our applications online has allowed us to increase transparency, eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks, and deliver a faster, more predictable process for contractors and homeowners alike. I am proud of my team’s progress and the work we will continue to do."
During the showcase at the Anne Arundel County Permit Center, officials delivered live demonstrations of the portal’s capabilities and outlined ongoing customer service enhancements. Local business owner Tim Hoerner IV of HRH Holdings, shared firsthand accounts of how faster, more predictable permit turnarounds have positively impacted his business operations and development timelines.
“Whenever you have predictability and transparency in permitting, it gives the development teams, the tenants, lenders, and stakeholders confidence in the outcome of the project,” said Tim Hoerner, HRH Holdings.
The Department of Inspections and Permits continues to enhance its digital portal to improve accessibility, transparency, and service delivery for all Anne Arundel County property owners and contractors. For more information, go to https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits. To view the live efficiency showcase, click here.