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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Towson, Baltimore County
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.
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
- 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
- Exempt Decks not greater than 16 inches above the lowest grade within exemption limits
- Exempt Flag poles and bases
- Exempt Retaining walls less than 3 feet high measured from the lowest finished grade
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, if not over a basement/story below
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and less than 250 square feet of surface area
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Certain nonstructural alterations in one- and two-family dwellings that do not involve kitchens or sleeping areas in basements
- Exempt Replacement of existing deck boards or nailers on existing stringers on piers where length, width, and height do not increase
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Source: Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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.
- 01 Create or log into a Baltimore County online permit account at the PLL Portal.
- 02 Select the permit type and enter applicant, owner, property, and contractor information.
- 03 Upload required documents, assign document disciplines, and submit the application for review.
- 04 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.
- 05 Applicant reviews comments, uploads corrected documents, and resubmits as needed.
- 06 Once fees are posted, applicant pays online by credit card or PayPal.
- 07 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2026-03
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
No single universal minimum; varies by permit category ($152–$208 for many building-area permits)
02
Plan check fee
$85 to $130 for listed deck, addition, and accessory-structure reviews; $54 per half hour for preliminary review
03
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
04
Penalty (no permit)
Investigation fee for work begun without a required permit; revision fees and change-of-owner/contractor fees
Online payments can be made by credit card or PayPal; Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal accepted
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 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 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.
Source: Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Towson, Baltimore County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Towson, Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in Towson, Baltimore County, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Towson, Baltimore County, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Towson, Baltimore County, MD, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Towson, Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in Towson, Baltimore County, MD typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Towson, Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Towson, Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Towson, Baltimore County, MD 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..
last verified April 2026
source Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing ↗
entry id permits/maryland/baltimore-county/towson
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.