Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Dundalk is an unincorporated Baltimore County community. Permit administration remains at the county level. Thin local-facing data: no separate Dundalk building department portal or permit office was identified.

Department

Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing

Address

County Office Building, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 100, Towson, Maryland 21204

Phone

410-887-3900

Email

paipermitstatus@baltimorecountymd.gov

Website

https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/pai/permit-processing

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create or use an existing Baltimore County portal account.
2. Start the correct permit type and populate the owner, applicant, property, and contractor fields.
3. Upload all required plans and permit-specific documentation.
4. Submit for review and monitor comments from Permit Processing and related reviewers.
5. Upload revisions where requested.
6. Pay permit fees online when invoiced in the portal.
7. Obtain issued permit and approved plans electronically, then schedule required inspections.

Typical processing time: No countywide general building-permit turnaround estimate was posted on the reviewed county permit pages.

Source: Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing

General Requirements

County permit triggers include additions, alterations, structural changes, change in use, floodplain work, roof work meeting the county threshold, certain siding work, and qualifying accessory structures.

Required Documents

• Site plan
• Construction plans
• Signed/sealed plans when required
• Groundwater site plans on well/septic lots
• Permit-specific county attachments/forms

Permit validity

Standard one-year term, possible one-year extension, possible two-year permit in some cases, plus six-month commencement and six-month suspension/abandonment rules.

Building code

Current county codes as posted on the county current codes page, including Bill 49-24 effective September 3, 2024.

Owner-builder

Available through the county Affirmation of Landowner process for landowners performing construction directly on their own property for their own use.

Contractor requirements

Licensed electricians/plumbers for those permit classes, MHIC number for private-contractor residential alterations/additions, and licensed supervision requirements in county code for regulated trades.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Variable by permit class; county does not post one single universal minimum for all building permits

Plan check fee

Generally $85 to $130 where plans are required; preliminary review is $54 per half hour

Permit fee formula

Mostly square-foot and occupancy-based for major building permits, with flat-fee schedules for many miscellaneous items

Penalty (no permit)

Investigation fee may be charged for work started without permit

Payment note

Online payment by credit card or PayPal; FAQ identifies Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-03).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Small detached accessory structures and similar uses under 120 square feet when outside county exemption limits
• Decks not greater than 16 inches above lowest grade within county exemption conditions
• Flag poles and bases
• Retaining walls under 3 feet
• Certain sidewalks and driveways
• Interior finish work such as painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops
• Small prefabricated pools
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Certain nonstructural alterations that avoid kitchen and basement sleeping-area triggers
• Replacement deck boards/nailers without size increase
• Two shingle layers where roof-deck replacement threshold is not met

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Inspection Division before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• PLL Portal (online)
• 410-887-3953 (estimated times: 7:30–8:00 AM) (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Schedule online by 2 p.m. the previous business day; call 410-887-3953 between 7:30 and 8 a.m. for estimated time; cancel/reschedule after 6 a.m. same day by phone.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: County guidance is scope-dependent, but commonly progresses through foundation, framing/rough-ins, and final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Current county codes as posted on the county current codes page, including Bill 49-24 effective September 3, 2024.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• My Neighborhood GIS
• Historic Preservation
• Current Codes & Regulations
• License lookup guide: Maryland Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Maryland Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Maryland hub: Maryland Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Dundalk, Baltimore County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD?

County permit triggers include additions, alterations, structural changes, change in use, floodplain work, roof work meeting the county threshold, certain siding work, and qualifying accessory structures.

How much does a building permit cost in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD?

The minimum permit fee is Variable by permit class; county does not post one single universal minimum for all building permits. Fees are calculated as: Mostly square-foot and occupancy-based for major building permits, with flat-fee schedules for many miscellaneous items. Plan check fee: Generally $85 to $130 where plans are required; preliminary review is $54 per half hour.

How do I apply for a building permit in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD?

1. Create or use an existing Baltimore County portal account. 2. Start the correct permit type and populate the owner, applicant, property, and contractor fields. 3. Upload all required plans and permit-specific documentation. 4. Submit for review and monitor comments from Permit Processing and related reviewers. 5. Upload revisions where requested. 6. Pay permit fees online when invoiced in the portal. 7. Obtain issued permit and approved plans electronically, then schedule required inspections.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD?

Typical processing time is No countywide general building-permit turnaround estimate was posted on the reviewed county permit pages..

What work is exempt from building permits in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD?

The following work is generally exempt: Small detached accessory structures and similar uses under 120 square feet when outside county exemption limits; Decks not greater than 16 inches above lowest grade within county exemption conditions; Flag poles and bases; Retaining walls under 3 feet; Certain sidewalks and driveways; Interior finish work such as painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops; Small prefabricated pools; Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Certain nonstructural alterations that avoid kitchen and basement sleeping-area triggers; Replacement deck boards/nailers without size increase; Two shingle layers where roof-deck replacement threshold is not met. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Inspection Division before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD?

Inspections can be scheduled via: PLL Portal, 410-887-3953 (estimated times: 7:30–8:00 AM). Schedule online by 2 p.m. the previous business day; call 410-887-3953 between 7:30 and 8 a.m. for estimated time; cancel/reschedule after 6 a.m. same day by phone..

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