ADUs are allowed in St. MichaelsTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for St. Michaels, MD
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
669
Owner-occupied
25%
Zoning districts
13
Avg Home Value
$485,452
Median Lot Size
0.16 acres
Avg Income
$80,962
Residential Types:
669 housing units
Other
100%
Zoning Districts:
898 parcels · 13 districts
R1
55%(496)
CC
15%(138)
R2
14%(130)
MC
6%(51)
Other
9%(83)
ADU Rules
What can you build in St. Michaels, MD?
St. Michaels, 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
- –Maximum size is the lesser of 800 sq ft or 50% of the principal dwelling’s living area.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 800 sq ft or 50% of the principal dwelling's living area, whichever is less.
Max Units
- –Detached single-family lot: 1 ADU per lot; Duplex/townhouse/multifamily lot: 0 per lot; Critical Area overlay (RCA): 1 ADU per lot (as part of the primary dwelling).
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner must occupy principal unit as primary residence
Parking
- –1 space/ADU; max not specified; on-site parking required (no off-site parking); tandem spaces may count if assigned to the same unit; a driveway 10 ft by 35 ft counts for a single-family dwelling; Planning Commission may reduce requirements; in R-1/R-2, if a driveway cannot be built, on-street parking is allowed.
Rental Restrictions
- –ADU may not be used for short-term rentals; owner-occupied principal unit cannot be rented
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.
Talbot County