On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Dundalk, Baltimore County
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.
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
- Exempt Small detached accessory structures and similar uses under 120 square feet when outside county exemption limits
- Exempt Decks not greater than 16 inches above lowest grade within county exemption conditions
- Exempt Flag poles and bases
- Exempt Retaining walls under 3 feet
- Exempt Certain sidewalks and driveways
- Exempt Interior finish work such as painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops
- Exempt Small prefabricated pools
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Certain nonstructural alterations that avoid kitchen and basement sleeping-area triggers
- Exempt Replacement deck boards/nailers without size increase
- Exempt 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.
Required documents
- Site plan
- Construction plans
- Signed/sealed plans when required
- Groundwater site plans on well/septic lots
- Permit-specific county attachments/forms
- Building code
- Current county codes as posted on the county current codes page, including Bill 49-24 effective September 3, 2024.
- 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.
- 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.
Source: Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No countywide general building-permit turnaround estimate was posted on the reviewed county permit pages.
- 01 Create or use an existing Baltimore County portal account.
- 02 Start the correct permit type and populate the owner, applicant, property, and contractor fields.
- 03 Upload all required plans and permit-specific documentation.
- 04 Submit for review and monitor comments from Permit Processing and related reviewers.
- 05 Upload revisions where requested.
- 06 Pay permit fees online when invoiced in the portal.
- 07 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2026-03
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Variable by permit class; county does not post one single universal minimum for all building permits
02
Plan check fee
Generally $85 to $130 where plans are required; preliminary review is $54 per half hour
03
Permit fee formula
Mostly square-foot and occupancy-based for major building permits, with flat-fee schedules for many miscellaneous items
04
Penalty (no permit)
Investigation fee may be charged for work started without permit
Online payment by credit card or PayPal; FAQ identifies Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2026-03) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 sequence: County guidance is scope-dependent, but commonly progresses through foundation, framing/rough-ins, and final inspection.
Source: Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Dundalk, Baltimore County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD typically run No countywide general building-permit turnaround estimate was posted on the reviewed county permit pages.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Dundalk, Baltimore County, MD 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..
last verified April 2026
source Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing ↗
entry id permits/maryland/baltimore-county/dundalk
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.