Stair and Porch Railings in Severna Park, MD

A Railroad Stop Between Two Rivers

Severna Park began as "Boone," a stop on the Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad whose line is now the B&A Trail. It sits on a wooded peninsula between the Severn and Magothy rivers, cut by tidal creeks such as Cypress Creek and Dividing Creek, and about 15 percent of the area is water. Communities like Olde Severna Park, Manhattan Beach, Round Bay and Linstead run down to those creeks, so many lots slope toward the water and carry decks, docks and stairs down to the shore.

The Critical Area Shapes the Work

Land within 1,000 feet of tidal water falls in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, which takes in Severna Park's waterfront lots. Anne Arundel County's small detached deck exemption, under 200 square feet and under three feet high, applies only outside the Critical Area and the Bog Contributing Drainage Area, so on the water it is gone. The County also requires permits for water-access stairs and for fences on waterfront lots. Any work close to the shoreline may involve the County's Critical Area staff as well as a building permit.

Railings on Attached Decks Need a Permit

Waterfront or not, the County's permit guide says replacing the railings on an attached deck requires a building permit. On a sloping lot, the guard trigger is measured at any point within 36 inches of the edge, so the downhill side of a deck or stair landing often needs a guard at least 36 inches tall even when the house side sits low. Water-access stairs with four or more risers need a handrail too.

Railing Work in Severna Park

From the streets near Severn School and Robinson House to the lots off Benfield Road and Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard, typical jobs are waterfront deck guards in cable or glass, aluminum railings for water-access stairs and porches, repairs, metal railings, interior stair railings and handrail upgrades.

Severna Park Railing Questions