How much does a building permit cost in Town of Chesapeake Beach, MD?

The minimum permit fee is Town zoning permit fees vary; County residential building permit: $0.12 per sq ft plus $25.00 application processing fee. Fees are calculated as: County: $0.12 per square foot of finished floor area (residential); valuation-based for commercial.

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Chesapeake Beach, MD?

The following work is generally exempt: Town zoning permit exemptions are set by the Town's zoning ordinance and should be confirmed with the Town Planning & Zoning office; County building permit exemptions generally apply to the county permit step (e.g., accessory structures under 200 square feet outside Critical Area, fences outside areas requiring a permit, painting) but the town's own zoning rules may still require a town permit for the same work; Fences up to 42 inches in residential areas do not require the building permit step, but the town's zoning requirements should be confirmed. Note: Chesapeake Beach is substantially within the Critical Area given its location on the Chesapeake Bay shore; Critical Area restrictions likely apply to a large portion of the town's land area, requiring permits even for work that would be exempt elsewhere in the county. All structures within the Critical Area require permits regardless of size.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Chesapeake Beach, MD?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Encompass Portal (County), 410-535-2155 (County), (410) 257-2230 (Town). County inspection requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. for next-business-day scheduling. Town may have separate public works or zoning inspections at certain stages; confirm with Town Hall..

City Building Permits

Town of Chesapeake Beach, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Maryland Calvert County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Chesapeake Beach is an incorporated town on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County. Permitting is a two-step process: Town of Chesapeake Beach approval must be obtained first, and then Calvert County issues the building permit, electrical permit, grading permit, and Use and Occupancy permit. The Town administers its own zoning, reviews projects for Critical Area requirements, reviews marine projects, and regulates tree removal and mitigation requirements. Unlike most Calvert County unincorporated areas, projects in Chesapeake Beach do NOT go through Calvert County Planning & Zoning review -- the town handles that layer -- but the county still issues the final building and trade permits.

Department: Town of Chesapeake Beach Department of Planning & Zoning (town-level review); Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning, Division of Inspections & Permits (building permit issuance)
Address: Town of Chesapeake Beach, 8200 Bayside Road, P.O. Box 400, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732; Calvert County Inspections & Permits, 150 Main Street, Floor 3, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Phone: (410) 257-2230 or (301) 855-8398 (Town); 410-535-2155 (County)
Website: https://www.chesapeakebeachmd.gov/home/pages/permitting-town

Online Permit Portal

Open Town Zoning Permit Application

Platform: Town uses in-person/document submission; County uses Encompass for building permit issuance • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Contact the Town of Chesapeake Beach Planning & Zoning office to determine what approvals are required for the project. The town reviews zoning compliance, Critical Area requirements, marine project requirements, and tree removal/mitigation.
Submit a Town Zoning Permit Application with required plans and documents to the Town of Chesapeake Beach Planning & Zoning office.
If the project requires Planning & Zoning Commission review (larger or more complex projects), submit the complete Development Plan package to the Town by the 2nd Monday of the month to be placed on the following month's Planning & Zoning Commission agenda. The Commission meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month. A full 6-week review timeline is required for complete submissions.
If the site plan submittal is incomplete or does not address staff or agency issues, it will be returned as incomplete. The 6-week review timeline does not begin until a complete package is accepted.
After Town approval is received, submit the building permit application to Calvert County Division of Inspections & Permits. The county application can be submitted in person at 150 Main Street, Floor 3, Prince Frederick, through Encompass online, by drop box, or by mail.
The county reviews and approves the building permit application, issues the permit, and manages all building, electrical, grading, and Use & Occupancy permit issuance.
Schedule and complete all required inspections through the county (Encompass or 410-535-2155). County inspection requirements and procedures apply.

Typical processing time: Town Planning & Zoning Commission review takes a minimum of 6 weeks for projects requiring commission approval. County permit processing timelines follow standard county procedures. An FY26 fee schedule is in effect July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

Source: Town of Chesapeake Beach Department of Planning & Zoning (town-level review); Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning, Division of Inspections & Permits (building permit issuance)

General Requirements

Any work requiring a building, electrical, grading, or Use & Occupancy permit in Chesapeake Beach requires both Town zoning approval and Calvert County building permit issuance. The Town also requires a zoning permit for construction and alteration work subject to its zoning ordinance.

Required Documents

Town Zoning Permit Application with supporting plans
For Planning & Zoning Commission review projects: complete Development Plan package
After town approval: all documents required by Calvert County for the applicable permit type

Permit validity: County permit expiration rules apply: permits expire 2 years after issuance unless the project is under continuous construction.
Building code: The same Calvert County building codes apply (2018 IBC, 2018 IRC as locally adopted; confirm current edition). Town zoning ordinance is available at https://ecode360.com/15165141. Dimensional and zoning requirements at https://ecode360.com/15165927.
Owner-builder: The county owner-builder exemption (property owners may construct their own dwelling without a county contractor's license, with proper permits) applies to the county permit step. Town zoning rules do not create a separate owner-builder exception.
Contractor requirements: Same as unincorporated county -- Calvert County building contractor's license and Maryland Home Builder registration required. Trade work requires licensed master electricians and master plumbers. Maryland MHIC license required for home improvement work over $100.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Town zoning permit fees vary; County residential building permit: $0.12 per sq ft plus $25.00 application processing fee
Permit fee formula: County: $0.12 per square foot of finished floor area (residential); valuation-based for commercial
Trade permit fee: County: $25.00 application processing fee (residential) or $100.00 (commercial) effective November 3, 2025
Payment note: Town fees are paid to the Town of Chesapeake Beach. County fees are paid to Calvert County through the Encompass portal or in person. County payment convenience fees: 2.7% for credit card; $2.25 flat fee for eCheck. Total permit cost involves both layers.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective FY26 (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Town zoning permit exemptions are set by the Town's zoning ordinance and should be confirmed with the Town Planning & Zoning office
County building permit exemptions generally apply to the county permit step (e.g., accessory structures under 200 square feet outside Critical Area, fences outside areas requiring a permit, painting) but the town's own zoning rules may still require a town permit for the same work
Fences up to 42 inches in residential areas do not require the building permit step, but the town's zoning requirements should be confirmed

Important: Chesapeake Beach is substantially within the Critical Area given its location on the Chesapeake Bay shore; Critical Area restrictions likely apply to a large portion of the town's land area, requiring permits even for work that would be exempt elsewhere in the county. All structures within the Critical Area require permits regardless of size.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Encompass Portal (County) (online)
410-535-2155 (County) (phone)
(410) 257-2230 (Town) (phone)

Scheduling deadline: County inspection requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. for next-business-day scheduling. Town may have separate public works or zoning inspections at certain stages; confirm with Town Hall.
Inspection hours: County: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Town: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Same county inspection sequence as unincorporated county (footing, foundation, framing, wall, final); Use & Occupancy inspection for new and commercial buildings. Town may perform a zoning compliance inspection. Approved plans and permit card must be on site.

Additional Resources

Building code: The same Calvert County building codes apply (2018 IBC, 2018 IRC as locally adopted; confirm current edition). Town zoning ordinance is available at https://ecode360.com/15165141. Dimensional and zoning requirements at https://ecode360.com/15165927.
Verify contractor license: Maryland MHIC License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Town of Chesapeake Beach Home Page
Town Planning & Zoning Page
Town Hall Administrative Contacts
Town Code
Town Zoning Districts
Town Dimensional Requirements
Town Building Construction Requirements
County Permit Portal
County Inspections & Permits
License lookup guide: Maryland Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Maryland Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Maryland hub: Maryland Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Chesapeake Beach Department of Planning & Zoning (town-level review); Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning, Division of Inspections & Permits (building permit issuance) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Chesapeake Beach Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Chesapeake Beach, MD?: Any work requiring a building, electrical, grading, or Use & Occupancy permit in Chesapeake Beach requires both Town zoning approval and Calvert County building permit issuance. The Town also requires a zoning permit for construction and alteration work subject to its zoning ordinance.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Chesapeake Beach, MD?: The minimum permit fee is Town zoning permit fees vary; County residential building permit: $0.12 per sq ft plus $25.00 application processing fee. Fees are calculated as: County: $0.12 per square foot of finished floor area (residential); valuation-based for commercial.
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Chesapeake Beach, MD?: 1. Contact the Town of Chesapeake Beach Planning & Zoning office to determine what approvals are required for the project. The town reviews zoning compliance, Critical Area requirements, marine project requirements, and tree removal/mitigation. 2. Submit a Town Zoning Permit Application with required plans and documents to the Town of Chesapeake Beach Planning & Zoning office. 3. If the project requires Planning & Zoning Commission review (larger or more complex projects), submit the complete Development Plan package to the Town by the 2nd Monday of the month to be placed on the following month's Planning & Zoning Commission agenda. The Commission meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month. A full 6-week review timeline is required for complete submissions. 4. If the site plan submittal is incomplete or does not address staff or agency issues, it will be returned as incomplete. The 6-week review timeline does not begin until a complete package is accepted. 5. After Town approval is received, submit the building permit application to Calvert County Division of Inspections & Permits. The county application can be submitted in person at 150 Main Street, Floor 3, Prince Frederick, through Encompass online, by drop box, or by mail. 6. The county reviews and approves the building permit application, issues the permit, and manages all building, electrical, grading, and Use & Occupancy permit issuance. 7. Schedule and complete all required inspections through the county (Encompass or 410-535-2155). County inspection requirements and procedures apply.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Chesapeake Beach, MD?: Typical processing time is Town Planning & Zoning Commission review takes a minimum of 6 weeks for projects requiring commission approval. County permit processing timelines follow standard county procedures. An FY26 fee schedule is in effect July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026..
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Chesapeake Beach, MD?: The following work is generally exempt: Town zoning permit exemptions are set by the Town's zoning ordinance and should be confirmed with the Town Planning & Zoning office; County building permit exemptions generally apply to the county permit step (e.g., accessory structures under 200 square feet outside Critical Area, fences outside areas requiring a permit, painting) but the town's own zoning rules may still require a town permit for the same work; Fences up to 42 inches in residential areas do not require the building permit step, but the town's zoning requirements should be confirmed. Note: Chesapeake Beach is substantially within the Critical Area given its location on the Chesapeake Bay shore; Critical Area restrictions likely apply to a large portion of the town's land area, requiring permits even for work that would be exempt elsewhere in the county. All structures within the Critical Area require permits regardless of size.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Chesapeake Beach, MD?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Encompass Portal (County), 410-535-2155 (County), (410) 257-2230 (Town). County inspection requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. for next-business-day scheduling. Town may have separate public works or zoning inspections at certain stages; confirm with Town Hall..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Town of Chesapeake Beach can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works

Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

Other cities in Calvert County

Unincorporated Area North Beach

View all Calvert County jurisdictions →