Towson, Baltimore County, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Towson is an unincorporated Baltimore County community. Building permits, inspections, and zoning review are handled by Baltimore County. Thin local-facing data: public permit instructions are countywide rather than Towson-specific.

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 log into a Baltimore County online permit account at the PLL Portal.
2. Select the permit type and enter applicant, owner, property, and contractor information.
3. Upload required documents, assign document disciplines, and submit the application for review.
4. County reviewers check the submission, leave comments or revision requests in the portal, and route the file for any needed zoning, environmental, floodplain, or related review.
5. Applicant reviews comments, uploads corrected documents, and resubmits as needed.
6. Once fees are posted, applicant pays online by credit card or PayPal.
7. After approvals and payment, the county issues the permit by email; approved plans and the permit must be available at the job site, and inspections are then scheduled through the portal.

Typical processing time: Baltimore County does not post a countywide building permit turnaround estimate on its general permit pages. Review length depends on scope, revisions, and outside-agency review.

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

General Requirements

County pages state permits are required for additions, alterations, structural modifications, demolitions to existing dwellings, change in use, building activity in the 100-year floodplain, roof repairs where 50 percent or more of sheathing or deck is replaced, commercial siding work, residential siding in county historic districts or on county landmarks, and accessory structures over 120 square feet or any size in critical area, historic, landmarks, or floodplain conditions.

Required Documents

• Site plan
• Construction plans
• Signed and sealed plans when required
• Groundwater-compliant site plans for well/septic lots
• Permit-specific forms such as accessory structure letters or agricultural verification forms

Permit validity

Permits are generally issued for one year, with one possible one-year extension; a two-year permit may also be granted. A permit also expires if work does not begin within six months after issuance or is suspended or abandoned for six months.

Building code

Baltimore County Building Code Bill 49-24, effective September 3, 2024, adopts the 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IECC, and ISPSC with county amendments. Electrical work follows the most recent NEC under county code. Plumbing and gasfitting code was updated by Bill 94-23 effective July 1, 2024. Floodplain regulations were updated by Bill 6-24 effective May 6, 2024.

Owner-builder

Baltimore County posts an Affirmation of Landowner form allowing a landowner to obtain a builder permit for construction performed directly by the landowner on the landowner's property solely for the landowner's own use.

Contractor requirements

Electrical and plumbing permits must be obtained by licensed electricians and plumbers. Residential alterations or additions by a private contractor require the contractor's Maryland Home Improvement License number. The adopted county code also requires licensed supervision for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, gasfitting, and building-contractor work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

No single universal minimum; varies by permit category ($152–$208 for many building-area permits)

Plan check fee

$85 to $130 for listed deck, addition, and accessory-structure reviews; $54 per half hour for preliminary review

Permit fee formula

Primarily square-foot and occupancy-category based for new construction/additions, with flat fees, per-unit charges, and per-100-square-foot formulas for miscellaneous permit types

Penalty (no permit)

Investigation fee for work begun without a required permit; revision fees and change-of-owner/contractor fees

Payment note

Online payments can be made by credit card or PayPal; Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal accepted

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures, tool sheds, playhouses, and similar Group R-3 uses not over 120 square feet, if not in the 100-year floodplain, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, a proposed or designated county historic district, or on a county landmarks-listed structure
• Decks not greater than 16 inches above the lowest grade within exemption limits
• Flag poles and bases
• Retaining walls less than 3 feet high measured from the lowest finished grade
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, if not over a basement/story below
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and less than 250 square feet of surface area
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Certain nonstructural alterations in one- and two-family dwellings that do not involve kitchens or sleeping areas in basements
• Replacement of existing deck boards or nailers on existing stringers on piers where length, width, and height do not increase
• Two layers of shingles on a roof; however, a permit is required when 50 percent or more of sheathing or deck is replaced

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 inspection date) (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests must be submitted by 2 p.m. the prior business day. Same-day cancellation after the 6 a.m. portal deadline is by phone.

Inspection hours

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

Typical inspection sequence: Baltimore County does not publish one countywide master sequence on its general building pages. Typical residential sequencing is footing/foundation, framing and applicable trade rough-ins, then final inspection and any required use-and-occupancy signoff.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Baltimore County Building Code Bill 49-24, effective September 3, 2024, adopts the 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IECC, and ISPSC with county amendments. Electrical work follows the most recent NEC under county code. Plumbing and gasfitting code was updated by Bill 94-23 effective July 1, 2024. Floodplain regulations were updated by Bill 6-24 effective May 6, 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

Towson, Baltimore County Building Permit FAQ

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

County pages state permits are required for additions, alterations, structural modifications, demolitions to existing dwellings, change in use, building activity in the 100-year floodplain, roof repairs where 50 percent or more of sheathing or deck is replaced, commercial siding work, residential siding in county historic districts or on county landmarks, and accessory structures over 120 square feet or any size in critical area, historic, landmarks, or floodplain conditions.

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

The minimum permit fee is No single universal minimum; varies by permit category ($152–$208 for many building-area permits). Fees are calculated as: Primarily square-foot and occupancy-category based for new construction/additions, with flat fees, per-unit charges, and per-100-square-foot formulas for miscellaneous permit types. Plan check fee: $85 to $130 for listed deck, addition, and accessory-structure reviews; $54 per half hour for preliminary review.

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

1. Create or log into a Baltimore County online permit account at the PLL Portal. 2. Select the permit type and enter applicant, owner, property, and contractor information. 3. Upload required documents, assign document disciplines, and submit the application for review. 4. County reviewers check the submission, leave comments or revision requests in the portal, and route the file for any needed zoning, environmental, floodplain, or related review. 5. Applicant reviews comments, uploads corrected documents, and resubmits as needed. 6. Once fees are posted, applicant pays online by credit card or PayPal. 7. After approvals and payment, the county issues the permit by email; approved plans and the permit must be available at the job site, and inspections are then scheduled through the portal.

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

Typical processing time is Baltimore County does not post a countywide building permit turnaround estimate on its general permit pages. Review length depends on scope, revisions, and outside-agency review..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures, tool sheds, playhouses, and similar Group R-3 uses not over 120 square feet, if not in the 100-year floodplain, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, a proposed or designated county historic district, or on a county landmarks-listed structure; Decks not greater than 16 inches above the lowest grade within exemption limits; Flag poles and bases; Retaining walls less than 3 feet high measured from the lowest finished grade; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, if not over a basement/story below; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and less than 250 square feet of surface area; Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Certain nonstructural alterations in one- and two-family dwellings that do not involve kitchens or sleeping areas in basements; Replacement of existing deck boards or nailers on existing stringers on piers where length, width, and height do not increase; Two layers of shingles on a roof; however, a permit is required when 50 percent or more of sheathing or deck is replaced. 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 Towson, Baltimore County, MD?

Inspections can be scheduled via: PLL Portal, 410-887-3953 (estimated times: 7:30–8:00 AM inspection date). Requests must be submitted by 2 p.m. the prior business day. Same-day cancellation after the 6 a.m. portal deadline is by phone..

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