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35+ Years Building in Anne Arundel County

Add Space, Add Income, Add Home — Built by Local Experts

The ADU Builder is the accessory-dwelling-unit division of Madrid’s Contracting — 35 years of Anne Arundel County construction experience, now focused on detached, attached, and conversion ADUs.

What Is an ADU, and Is It Legal in Anne Arundel County?

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) — also known as an in-law suite, granny flat, or carriage house — is a smaller, independent living space built on the same lot as a single-family home. ADUs have their own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom, and can be detached, attached, or converted from existing spaces such as a garage, attic, or basement.

Yes, ADUs are legal in Anne Arundel County. The County Council passed its own ADU ordinance in 2023 — years ahead of Maryland’s statewide ADU law — giving local homeowners a clear, established path to build. As the ADU division of Madrid’s Contracting, we’ve been helping Anne Arundel County homeowners build compliant, quality ADUs since that ordinance passed.

How It Works

Three Steps From Idea to Move-In

Free Consultation

We walk your property and talk through goals, budget, and zoning — no cost, no obligation.

Design & Permitting

Our team draws the plans and handles Anne Arundel County permitting from start to finish.

Build & Move In

Our own crews build it — the same team that's built Anne Arundel homes for 35 years.

ADU Types

Find the Right ADU for Your Property

Detached ADU

A detached ADU is a fully separate backyard structure — the most popular accessory dwelling unit in Anne Arundel County for homeowners who want maximum privacy and long-term rental flexibility. Anne Arundel’s 2023 ADU ordinance allows detached units on nearly every residential lot, with no minimum lot size required.

Fastest Turnaround

Garage Conversion

A garage conversion ADU is the fastest, lowest-cost path to a livable accessory dwelling unit in Anne Arundel County — no new foundation, no site excavation, and often a lighter permitting lift than a detached build. We handle the full county permit process for garage-to-ADU conversions from start to finish.

Fastest Turnaround

Attic Conversion

An attic conversion ADU makes use of space you already have, turning unfinished upper-floor square footage into a fully permitted accessory dwelling unit. Anne Arundel County still requires proper egress windows and structural review for attic ADUs, which our team manages as part of your permitting package.

Fastest Turnaround

Basement Conversion

A basement conversion ADU is often the lightest permitting lift of any accessory dwelling unit type in Anne Arundel County, since the structure and foundation already exist. Egress windows are still required by code, and our team handles that compliance work as part of every basement ADU conversion.

Local Expertise & Trust

The ADU Builder is the accessory dwelling unit division of Madrid’s Contracting — 35 years of licensed, insured remodeling and construction across Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Same crews, same accountability, new focus: helping local homeowners navigate Anne Arundel’s ADU ordinance and build detached, attached, and conversion ADUs the right way, the first time.

Transparent Pricing

No lowball teaser quotes. Every Anne Arundel County ADU project starts with a free, on-site consultation where we walk your property, review your zoning district, and give you a real number — in writing — before any work begins. Most ADU projects in our area run $120K–$300K+ depending on type, size, and finishes.

Full-Service Permitting

Anne Arundel County has required ADU permits since its 2023 ordinance passed — well ahead of Maryland’s statewide ADU law. We handle Anne Arundel County (and Annapolis city, where applicable) permitting from drawings to final inspection, including zoning verification, plan review, and code compliance, so you don’t deal with the county at all.

Transparent Pricing

Most ADU Projects Run $120K – $300K+

Exact cost depends on ADU type, size, and finishes — we give you a real number after a free on-site consultation, not a lowball estimate.

Why Build an ADU

Reasons to Build an ADU

Rental Income

Turn unused yard or garage space into steady monthly income.

Aging Parents

Keep family close with a private, accessible space of their own.

Guests & Family

A comfortable place for visitors without giving up your main home.

Adult Children

Give grown kids independence while staying close to home.

Service Areas

Serving Anne Arundel County

FAQ

Anne Arundel County ADU Questions

Yes — nearly all ADU construction requires county permitting, even for garage, attic, and basement conversions. We manage the full permitting process for you.
Most projects run $120K–$300K+ depending on type, size, and finishes. Conversions (garage/attic/basement) tend to land at the lower end.
Conversions can often move from consultation to move-in faster than a detached build, which typically takes longer due to new-foundation permitting and construction time.
Maryland’s statewide ADU law (HB 1466) plus county zoning govern where and how ADUs can be built. We confirm eligibility for your specific property during your free consultation.
A detached ADU is a fully separate structure with no shared walls to the main house, offering maximum privacy and rental flexibility. An attached ADU shares a wall with the primary home, often costing less to build since it can share utility connections.
It depends on your HOA’s specific covenants. Some Anne Arundel County HOAs have additional design or size restrictions beyond county code. We help you check your HOA documents as part of your free consultation before design begins.

The ADU Builder is a licensed Anne Arundel County ADU builder serving Severna Park, Annapolis, Crofton, Pasadena, Glen Burnie, Arnold, and surrounding Maryland communities. As the accessory dwelling unit division of Madrid’s Contracting, we bring 35+ years of local construction experience to every detached ADU, attached ADU, and garage, attic, or basement conversion we build.

Ready to Add Space to Your Property?

Get a free, no-obligation ADU estimate from Anne Arundel County’s trusted local builder.