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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Chesapeake Beach
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.
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
- Exempt Town zoning permit exemptions are set by the Town's zoning ordinance and should be confirmed with the Town Planning & Zoning office
- Exempt 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
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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.
- Permit validity
- County permit expiration rules apply: permits expire 2 years after issuance unless the project is under continuous construction.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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.
- 01 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.
- 02 Submit a Town Zoning Permit Application with required plans and documents to the Town of Chesapeake Beach Planning & Zoning office.
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 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.
- 06 The county reviews and approves the building permit application, issues the permit, and manages all building, electrical, grading, and Use & Occupancy permit issuance.
- 07 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective FY26 (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026)
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Town zoning permit fees vary; County residential building permit: $0.12 per sq ft plus $25.00 application processing fee
02
Permit fee formula
County: $0.12 per square foot of finished floor area (residential); valuation-based for commercial
03
Trade permit fee
County: $25.00 application processing fee (residential) or $100.00 (commercial) effective November 3, 2025
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective FY26 (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026)) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Chesapeake Beach permits
01 Do I need a building permit in 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Chesapeake Beach, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in Chesapeake Beach, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Chesapeake Beach, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Chesapeake Beach, MD, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Chesapeake Beach, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in Chesapeake Beach, MD typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Chesapeake Beach, MD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Chesapeake Beach, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Chesapeake Beach, MD 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..
last verified April 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) ↗
entry id permits/maryland/calvert/chesapeake-beach
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with 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. Jaspector is not legal advice.