On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Baltimore County
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.
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
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures and similar Group R-3 uses not over 120 square feet outside county exemption restrictions
- Exempt Decks not greater than 16 inches above the lowest grade within county exemption limits
- Exempt Flag poles and their bases
- Exempt Retaining walls less than 3 feet in height
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
- 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 playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Nonstructural alterations that do not involve kitchens or sleeping areas in basements
- Exempt Replacement of existing deck boards and/or nailers on existing stringers with no increase in length, width, or height
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Source: Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general countywide building-permit turnaround estimate was publicly posted on the county's main permit pages reviewed for this assignment.
- 01 Create or log into a Baltimore County PLL Portal account.
- 02 Select the permit type and complete applicant, owner, address, and contractor fields.
- 03 Upload plans and all required supporting documentation.
- 04 Submit the application for county review.
- 05 Review county comments, upload revisions, and complete any additional required county or related-agency review items.
- 06 Pay fees online once assessed.
- 07 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2026-03
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
No single universal minimum for all permit types; schedule varies by permit class
02
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
03
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
04
Penalty (no permit)
County posts revision fees, change-of-owner/contractor fees, and investigation fee exposure for unpermitted work
Online payment via credit card or PayPal; county FAQ specifically states Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal are accepted online
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
- 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 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.
Source: Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Baltimore County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated 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 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Baltimore County, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Baltimore County, MD, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Baltimore County, MD typically run No general countywide building-permit turnaround estimate was publicly posted on the county's main permit pages reviewed for this assignment.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Baltimore County, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Baltimore County, MD 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..
last verified April 2026
source Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, Permit Processing ↗
entry id permits/maryland/baltimore-county/unincorporated
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.