Zoning Administration

The Zoning Administration Section of the Office of Planning and Zoning oversees the regulation and interpretation of the Anne Arundel County Zoning Ordinance and processes related applications.

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Land Use Navigator (LUN)

Welcome to the Land Use Navigator, an online digital submission tool. Customers will be able to submit zoning applications; certificate of use applications; and zoning complaints online, including all supporting documentation.

Access Land Use Navigator

About Zoning Ordinance

The Zoning Ordinance has two parts:
  • A code outlining land use regulations 
  • A series of zoning maps that apply the regulations to properties within Anne Arundel County.
The County Zoning Ordinance, which is Article 18 of the Anne Arundel County Code and Bill Updates govern the use and development of individual property within Anne Arundel County. The Zoning Ordinance is a collection of regulations established to promote desired and mutually compatible patterns of land use within the County. While the first comprehensive Zoning Ordinance was adopted in Anne Arundel County on July 1, 1952, it has been subsequently amended many times by the Anne Arundel County Council. The review and revision of the County Zoning Ordinance is an ongoing project within the Zoning Division.
 
Zoning districts have been created and applied geographically based on the desired predominant use of land (e.g. residential, commercial, and industrial). Anne Arundel County has eight residential districts, four commercial districts, three industrial districts, five maritime districts that regulate water-dependent uses, and four mixed use districts. There are seven districts in the Odenton Growth Management Area District, five overlay districts, and three special districts. A descriptive summary of the individual Zoning Districts Classifications.
 

A set of bulk regulations is provided for each District. These set of laws regulate such areas as setbacks, height, lot area, lot width, and density. Overlays provide special regulations for targeted area or environmental features. The most well known overlay is the Critical Area Overlay that regulates development on lands located within 1,000 feet of the Chesapeake Bay and tributary streams. There is also a Bog Protection Overlay, a Commercial Revitalization Area Overlay, a Parole Town Center Overlay, and an Open Space Conservation Overlay. 

The Zoning Ordinance is a “permissive” use ordinance; only the land uses specifically listed in the Code are allowed within the specific district. Uses not listed are not allowed. Each District has its own set of uses that are permitted as-of-right (P), permitted with conditions (C), permitted by special exception (SE), or permitted as an auxiliary to a business complex (A).

The Zoning Maps are available online at the Land Use and Zoning Map Viewer. 

The zoning classification of property is determined by the official Zoning Maps of Anne Arundel County. To identify the zoning of a particular property you need some basic information: Tax ID number, address, or tax map, block, parcel number call 410-222-7437 to request this information.

Zoning Services

The Zoning Administration is responsible for the following zoning related services and processes.

  • For information about submittal requirements, click on the boxes below. 
  • Apply for the items listed below online using the Land Use Navigator (LUN). 
  • For information about getting started with the system, visit the System Help page.