Land Use and Real Property - Accessory Dwelling Units - Requirements and Prohibitions
HB 1466 requires counties and municipalities in Maryland to adopt local rules allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - small secondary homes like backyard cottages or converted garages - on properties zoned for single-family homes by a specified deadline. It sets standards for approving ADU permits, calculating development fees, requiring parking spaces (both on- and off-street), and limiting utility fees or connection requirements for ADUs. The bill also prohibits property sale documents from restricting ADU development and allows homeowners associations to treat ADUs as separate lots for voting and fee purposes. This law directly affects single-family homeowners, local governments, and property associations by expanding housing options through updated zoning rules.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 7, 2025
Signed Apr 22, 2025
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5 edits
MODERATE
The bill expanded eligibility for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by allowing them on land zoned for single-family detached residential use, and clarified that ADUs must be subordinate to the primary dwelling and not exceed 75% of its size. It also updated definitions to ensure ADUs provide complete independent living facilities and excluded multi-family units from the definition. These changes aim to increase housing options while maintaining single-family zoning character.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include detached single-family residential use zones, whereas previously it may have been more limited. The definition of ADUs was clarified to require them to be subordinate to the primary dwelling.
ELIGIBILITY
ADUs are now explicitly allowed on land zoned for single-family detached residential use.
DEFINITION
ADU definition now requires the unit to be subordinate in use to the primary dwelling and not exceed 75% of its size.
Updated dwelling unit definition to require permanent provisions for sanitation, cooking, eating, and sleeping.
Removed language that included ADUs constructed through conversion of accessory structures.
REQUIREMENT
Added requirement that ADUs be either separate from or attached as an addition to the primary dwelling.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 15, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2025
How they voted
46–0
Passed
Total votes 46
Mar 15, 2025
D
Democratic33
100% Yea
R
Republican13
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 22, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 197
executive
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 15, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0)
senate
Mar 9, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (136-1-2)
house of delegates
Feb 7, 2025
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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