Maryland Regulations: Counties & Municipal Zoning Guide
Understanding where Amish tiny cabins are allowed in Maryland depends on both county and city regulations. Maryland has no single statewide tiny house law — each of the state’s 23 counties and independent city jurisdictions set their own rules on minimum square footage, foundation requirements, and where tiny homes can be placed. Many rural counties may offer more flexible zoning options, particularly in agricultural and unincorporated areas. Others defer building and zoning authority to local cities and municipalities. In contrast, suburban and urban jurisdictions often enforce stricter zoning standards, including minimum dwelling sizes ranging from 400 to 1,000+ square feet, foundation requirements, and occupancy classifications. Some areas may also regulate tiny homes on wheels differently from permanent residential structures. Because rules vary widely by location, it’s important to verify requirements with local authorities. The guide below provides a county overview and municipal references to help you confidently plan and place your tiny cabin in Maryland.
Counties
Yes. Allegany County (Western Maryland — home to Cumberland, plus Frostburg State University) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Significant rural Appalachian flexibility. Contact Allegany County Department of Community Services.
Resources: Allegany County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Anne Arundel County (DC metro south — home to Annapolis — Maryland’s capital, US Naval Academy, plus Severn, Glen Burnie) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) when they follow the IRC and meet zoning standards. Contact Anne Arundel County Department of Planning & Zoning.
Resources: Anne Arundel County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Baltimore County (NOT including Baltimore City — surrounds Baltimore City — home to Towson, plus Catonsville, Dundalk, Owings Mills) permits tiny homes as ADUs with minimum 320 sq ft requirements typical. Active suburban ADU permitting. Contact Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals & Inspections.
Resources: Baltimore County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Baltimore City (independent of Baltimore County — Maryland’s largest city, equivalent to a county) permits tiny homes as ADUs with minimum 320 sq ft requirements typical. Active urban ADU permitting. Contact Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development.
Resources: Baltimore City, MD Government Directory
Yes. Calvert County (Southern Maryland — home to Prince Frederick, plus Solomons Island) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Active Chesapeake Bay tourism. Contact Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning.
Resources: Calvert County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Caroline County (Eastern Shore — home to Denton, plus Federalsburg) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Significant rural flexibility. Contact Caroline County Department of Planning & Codes Administration.
Resources: Caroline County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Carroll County (north-central Maryland — home to Westminster, plus McDaniel College) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Significant rural flexibility. Contact Carroll County Department of Planning.
Resources: Carroll County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Cecil County (Maryland’s northeasternmost — home to Elkton, near Delaware border) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Contact Cecil County Department of Planning & Zoning.
Resources: Cecil County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Charles County (Southern Maryland — home to La Plata, plus Waldorf) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Contact Charles County Department of Planning & Growth Management.
Resources: Charles County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Dorchester County (Eastern Shore — Maryland’s largest county by area, home to Cambridge, plus Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Significant rural/coastal flexibility. Contact Dorchester County Department of Planning & Zoning.
Resources: Dorchester County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Frederick County (Western Maryland — home to Frederick, plus Hood College) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) when they follow the IRC and meet zoning standards. Active rural-to-suburban region with significant flexibility. Contact Frederick County Division of Planning & Permitting.
Resources: Frederick County, MD Government Directory
Yes — Maryland’s flagship tiny home county for rural/off-grid living. Garrett County (Maryland’s westernmost and only county west of the Allegheny Front — home to Oakland, plus McHenry, Deep Creek Lake — Maryland’s largest lake) is **the most favorable location for off-grid living in Maryland**. Home to **Blue Moon Rising Tiny House Community** in McHenry — Maryland’s premier sustainable tiny home community, nestled in the mountains, founded on sustainability and community engagement principles. Active Deep Creek Lake/Wisp Resort tourism corridor. Significant rural land flexibility — among Maryland’s most accommodating. Contact Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Development.
Resources: Garrett County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Harford County (Baltimore metro north — home to Bel Air, plus Aberdeen Proving Ground) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Contact Harford County Department of Planning & Zoning.
Resources: Harford County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Howard County (between Baltimore and DC — home to Ellicott City, plus Columbia) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) when they follow the IRC and meet zoning standards. Contact Howard County Department of Planning & Zoning.
Resources: Howard County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Kent County (Eastern Shore — home to Chestertown — Maryland’s third-oldest town, plus Washington College) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Contact Kent County Department of Planning, Housing & Zoning.
Resources: Kent County, MD Government Directory
Yes — Maryland’s tiny home flagship county. Montgomery County (DC metro northwest — home to Rockville, plus Silver Spring, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Germantown — Maryland’s most populous county) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) when they follow the IRC and meet zoning standards (setbacks, lot size). Among Maryland’s most progressive counties for ADUs. Active urban ADU permitting. Contact Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services.
Resources: Montgomery County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Prince George’s County (DC metro east — home to Upper Marlboro, plus College Park/University of Maryland, Hyattsville, Bowie) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) when they follow the IRC and meet zoning standards. Contact Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections & Enforcement.
Yes. Queen Anne’s County (Eastern Shore — home to Centreville, plus Kent Island/Chesapeake Bay Bridge gateway) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Contact Queen Anne’s County Department of Land Use, Growth Management & Environment.
Resources: Queen Anne’s County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Somerset County (Eastern Shore — Maryland’s southernmost county, home to Princess Anne, plus University of Maryland Eastern Shore) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Significant rural flexibility. Contact Somerset County Department of Technical & Community Services.
Resources: Somerset County, MD Government Directory
Yes. St. Mary’s County (Southern Maryland — home to Leonardtown, plus Naval Air Station Patuxent River) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Active rural-coastal region. Contact St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use & Growth Management.
Resources: St. Mary’s County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Talbot County (Eastern Shore — home to Easton, plus St. Michaels, Oxford) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Active Chesapeake Bay/Eastern Shore tourism. Contact Talbot County Department of Planning & Zoning.
Resources: Talbot County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Washington County (Western Maryland — home to Hagerstown, plus Antietam National Battlefield) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Significant rural flexibility. Contact Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning.
Resources: Washington County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Wicomico County (Eastern Shore — home to Salisbury, plus Salisbury University) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Contact Wicomico County Department of Planning, Zoning & Community Development.
Resources: Wicomico County, MD Government Directory
Yes. Worcester County (Eastern Shore — home to Snow Hill, plus **Ocean City** — Maryland’s premier Atlantic Coast beach resort) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Active Ocean City beach tourism corridor — strong vacation rental market for park model tiny homes. Contact Worcester County Department of Development Review & Permitting.
Resources: Worcester County, MD Government Directory
Municipalities
Aberdeen (in Harford County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Aberdeen, MD
Yes. Annapolis (Anne Arundel County — Maryland’s capital, U.S. Naval Academy) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Historic district considerations may apply. Contact Annapolis Department of Planning & Zoning.
Resources: City of Annapolis, MD
Yes. Baltimore (Baltimore City — independent of Baltimore County, Maryland’s largest city) permits tiny homes as ADUs with minimum 320 sq ft requirements typical. Active urban ADU permitting. Contact Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development.
Resources: City of Baltimore, MD
Bel Air (in Harford County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Bel Air, MD
Yes. Berlin (Worcester County — ‘America’s Coolest Small Town’ — Budget Travel) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Active Eastern Shore tourism. Contact Berlin Department of Planning, Permits & Inspections.
Resources: City of Berlin, MD
Yes. Bethesda (Montgomery County — DC metro, NIH headquarters) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) following the IRC. High-value market. Contact Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services.
Resources: City of Bethesda, MD
Bowie (in Prince George’s County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Bowie, MD
Cambridge (in Dorchester County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Cambridge, MD
Centreville (in Queen Anne’s County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Centreville, MD
Chestertown (in Kent County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Chestertown, MD
Cockeysville (in Baltimore County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Cockeysville, MD
Yes. College Park (Prince George’s County — University of Maryland) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) following the IRC. Strong student/university ADU demand. Contact College Park Department of Planning, Community & Economic Development.
Resources: City of College Park, MD
Yes. Columbia (Howard County — planned community between Baltimore and DC) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) following the IRC. Contact Columbia Association / Howard County Department of Planning & Zoning.
Resources: City of Columbia, MD
Cumberland (in Allegany County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Cumberland, MD
Yes — Maryland’s premier off-grid/sustainable tiny home community. Deep Creek Lake area (McHenry, Garrett County — Maryland’s largest lake, Wisp Resort) is home to **Blue Moon Rising Tiny House Community** — Maryland’s flagship sustainable tiny home community. Active Deep Creek Lake/Wisp Resort tourism corridor. Contact Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Development.
Resources: City of Deep Creek Lake (McHenry), MD
Denton (in Caroline County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Denton, MD
Easton (in Talbot County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Easton, MD
Elkton (in Cecil County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Elkton, MD
Ellicott City (in Howard County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Ellicott City, MD
Yes. Frederick (Frederick County seat — Western Maryland, near Civil War battlefields) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) following the IRC. Contact Frederick Department of Planning.
Resources: City of Frederick, MD
Frostburg (in Allegany County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Frostburg, MD
Gaithersburg (in Montgomery County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Gaithersburg, MD
Germantown (in Montgomery County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Germantown, MD
Glen Burnie (in Anne Arundel County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Glen Burnie, MD
Greenbelt (in Prince George’s County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Greenbelt, MD
Hagerstown (in Washington County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Hagerstown, MD
Hyattsville (in Prince George’s County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Hyattsville, MD
La Plata (in Charles County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of La Plata, MD
Laurel (in Prince George’s County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Laurel, MD
Leonardtown (in St. Mary’s County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Leonardtown, MD
Yes — home to Maryland’s premier sustainable tiny home community. McHenry (Garrett County — Deep Creek Lake region, Wisp Resort gateway) is home to **Blue Moon Rising Tiny House Community** — Maryland’s flagship sustainable, environmentally-friendly tiny home community nestled in the mountains. Significant rural flexibility — Maryland’s best off-grid living region. Contact Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Development.
Resources: City of McHenry, MD
Oakland (in Garrett County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Oakland, MD
Yes. Ocean City (Worcester County — Maryland’s premier Atlantic Coast beach resort) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Active beach tourism corridor — strong vacation rental market for park model tiny homes. Hurricane resistance requirements (Atlantic coastal). Contact Ocean City Department of Planning & Community Development.
Resources: City of Ocean City, MD
Owings Mills (in Baltimore County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Owings Mills, MD
Oxford (in Talbot County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Oxford, MD
Prince Frederick (in Calvert County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Prince Frederick, MD
Princess Anne (in Somerset County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Princess Anne, MD
Yes. Rockville (Montgomery County seat — DC metro northwest) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) when they follow the IRC. Contact Rockville Department of Community Planning & Development Services.
Resources: City of Rockville, MD
Yes. Salisbury (Wicomico County — Eastern Shore’s largest city, Salisbury University) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Contact Salisbury Department of Infrastructure & Development.
Resources: City of Salisbury, MD
Severn (in Anne Arundel County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Severn, MD
Yes. Silver Spring (Montgomery County — DC metro north) permits detached ADUs (tiny homes) following the IRC. Active urban ADU market. Contact Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services.
Resources: City of Silver Spring, MD
Snow Hill (in Worcester County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Snow Hill, MD
Solomons (in Calvert County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Solomons, MD
Yes. St. Michaels (Talbot County — ‘The Town That Fooled the British’ — historic Chesapeake Bay town) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Active Chesapeake Bay tourism corridor. Contact St. Michaels Department of Community Planning.
Resources: City of St. Michaels, MD
Yes. Towson (Baltimore County seat — home to Towson University, Goucher College) permits tiny homes as ADUs under IRC. Active university region. Contact Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals & Inspections.
Resources: City of Towson, MD
Upper Marlboro (in Prince George’s County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Upper Marlboro, MD
Does Waldorf, Maryland, Allow Amish Tiny Cabins?
Waldorf (in Charles County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Waldorf, MD
Westminster (in Carroll County) permits tiny homes under Maryland’s IRC framework. Local zoning rules apply (no statewide ADU law). Contact local zoning office for property-specific permit guidance.
Resources: City of Westminster, MD
