ADUs are allowed in DentonTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Denton, MD
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
1,600
Owner-occupied
71%
Zoning districts
12
Avg Home Value
$235,040
Median Lot Size
0.23 acres
Avg Income
$72,076
Residential Types:
1,600 housing units
Single Family
14%
Apts (4+ units)
2%
Other
84%
Zoning Districts:
1,971 parcels · 12 districts
TR
35%(682)
SR
27%(530)
MR
16%(322)
CBC
7%(146)
Other
15%(291)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Denton, MD?
Denton, MD follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Internal ADU (in-home apartment) maximum size: 60% of principal dwelling living area
- –Internal ADU (in-home apartment) maximum size cap: 1,000 sq ft
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Detached ADU maximum size is 60% of the principal dwelling's living area
- –Detached ADU maximum size is 1,000 sq ft of floor area
Max Units
- –1 ADU per lot for detached single-family dwellings; 0 ADUs for lots with other principal structures.
Parking
- –0 spaces/ADU if on-street parking is permitted and adequate; otherwise 1 space/ADU (within 100 ft of the lot). No max; exceptions: second space if abutting streets cannot accommodate on-street parking or if the ADU is created at the same time as the principal dwelling.
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term rentals (<1 month) prohibited; rentals must be month-to-month or longer
ADU State Law
What can you build in Maryland?
- –Local-law mandate: By Oct 1, 2026, each legislative body must adopt a local law authorizing ADUs under this section.
- –Local zoning mostly remains: The subtitle generally does not alter local zoning power except as provided, but locals must establish policies that further the subtitle's intent.
- –Definition-based size cap: An ADU must be ≤ 75% of the size of the primary SF detached dwelling and subordinate in use; ADUs may be detached or attached.
- –Density/growth limits: ADUs must be excluded from density calculations and from measures limiting residential growth that pertain to the lot/parcel/tract.
- –Setbacks: Local law cannot set side/rear setbacks that exceed existing accessory-structure setbacks.
- –Parking: If a jurisdiction adds off-street parking requirements, it must consider specified factors and provide a waiver process, and must complete a parking study before adopting such requirements.
- –Alley access option: Local law may prohibit converting an accessory structure to an ADU if only vehicular access is from an alley.
- –Codes/adequate facilities: Local law must provide for ADU construction meeting public health/safety/welfare standards, including building codes and adequate public facilities provisions.
What's allowed on your lot?
These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.
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ADU rules in other Maryland municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Caroline County