Baltimore County, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

This is the operative county-administered permit system for unincorporated areas of Baltimore County. Separate county reviews can still apply for zoning, floodplain, historic preservation, stormwater, grading, health, or Chesapeake Bay Critical Area constraints depending on parcel conditions.

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 PLL Portal account.
2. Select the permit type and complete applicant, owner, address, and contractor fields.
3. Upload plans and all required supporting documentation.
4. Submit the application for county review.
5. Review county comments, upload revisions, and complete any additional required county or related-agency review items.
6. Pay fees online once assessed.
7. Receive the permit and approved plans electronically, keep them on site, and schedule inspections through the portal.

Typical processing time: No general countywide building-permit turnaround estimate was publicly posted on the county's main permit pages reviewed for this assignment.

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

General Requirements

County pages and current code require permits for common additions, alterations, structural changes, demolitions, change in use, floodplain construction, roof repairs where 50 percent or more of sheathing/deck is replaced, certain siding work, and accessory-structure work above county thresholds or in protected locations.

Required Documents

• Site plan
• Construction plans
• Signed and sealed plans where required
• Well/septic groundwater-compliant site plan if relevant
• Permit-specific county forms or letters

Permit validity

Generally one year, one possible additional year by extension, possible two-year permit option, and automatic expiration if work is not commenced within six months or is suspended/abandoned for six months.

Building code

Bill 49-24 effective September 3, 2024 adopting 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IECC, and ISPSC with county amendments; latest NEC under county code; plumbing/gasfitting update effective July 1, 2024; floodplain update effective May 6, 2024.

Owner-builder

County owner-builder path is documented by the Affirmation of Landowner form, which requires the landowner to affirm direct construction on the landowner's property for the landowner's own use.

Contractor requirements

Electrical and plumbing permits must be obtained by licensed electricians and plumbers. Residential alterations/additions by private contractors require MHIC number. County code requires proper licensed supervision for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, gasfitting, and contractor work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

No single universal minimum for all permit types; schedule varies by permit class

Plan check fee

County schedule lists plan-review charges of $85 to $130 for certain residential decks/additions/accessory structures when plans are required, plus $54 per half hour for preliminary review

Permit fee formula

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

Penalty (no permit)

County posts revision fees, change-of-owner/contractor fees, and investigation fee exposure for unpermitted work

Payment note

Online payment via credit card or PayPal; county FAQ specifically states Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal are accepted online

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 and similar Group R-3 uses not over 120 square feet outside county exemption restrictions
• Decks not greater than 16 inches above the lowest grade within county exemption limits
• Flag poles and their bases
• Retaining walls less than 3 feet in height
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
• 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 playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Nonstructural alterations that do not involve kitchens or sleeping areas in basements
• Replacement of existing deck boards and/or nailers on existing stringers with no increase in length, width, or height
• Two roof shingle layers, but not roof repairs where 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) (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Online account scheduling is required, with requests due by 2 p.m. the prior business day. Building inspection estimated times are available by phone between 7:30 and 8 a.m. on inspection day.

Inspection hours

Building Inspections office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: The county's general pages do not publish one master sequence for every permit type. Typical sequence is footing/foundation, framing and applicable trade rough-ins, then final inspection and any needed use-and-occupancy closeout.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Bill 49-24 effective September 3, 2024 adopting 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IECC, and ISPSC with county amendments; latest NEC under county code; plumbing/gasfitting update effective July 1, 2024; floodplain update effective May 6, 2024.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• My Neighborhood GIS
• Historic Preservation
• Floodplain Management
• 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

Baltimore County Building Permit FAQ

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

County pages and current code require permits for common additions, alterations, structural changes, demolitions, change in use, floodplain construction, roof repairs where 50 percent or more of sheathing/deck is replaced, certain siding work, and accessory-structure work above county thresholds or in protected locations.

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

The minimum permit fee is No single universal minimum for all permit types; schedule varies by permit class. Fees are calculated as: Primarily square-foot and occupancy based for new construction/additions, with flat-fee, per-unit, and per-100-square-foot formulas for miscellaneous permit types. Plan check fee: County schedule lists plan-review charges of $85 to $130 for certain residential decks/additions/accessory structures when plans are required, plus $54 per half hour for preliminary review.

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

1. Create or log into a Baltimore County PLL Portal account. 2. Select the permit type and complete applicant, owner, address, and contractor fields. 3. Upload plans and all required supporting documentation. 4. Submit the application for county review. 5. Review county comments, upload revisions, and complete any additional required county or related-agency review items. 6. Pay fees online once assessed. 7. Receive the permit and approved plans electronically, keep them on site, and schedule inspections through the portal.

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

Typical processing time is No general countywide building-permit turnaround estimate was publicly posted on the county's main permit pages reviewed for this assignment..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures and similar Group R-3 uses not over 120 square feet outside county exemption restrictions; Decks not greater than 16 inches above the lowest grade within county exemption limits; Flag poles and their bases; Retaining walls less than 3 feet in height; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade; 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 playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Nonstructural alterations that do not involve kitchens or sleeping areas in basements; Replacement of existing deck boards and/or nailers on existing stringers with no increase in length, width, or height; Two roof shingle layers, but not roof repairs where 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 unincorporated Baltimore County, MD?

Inspections can be scheduled via: PLL Portal, 410-887-3953 (estimated times: 7:30–8:00 AM). Online account scheduling is required, with requests due by 2 p.m. the prior business day. Building inspection estimated times are available by phone between 7:30 and 8 a.m. on inspection day..