Calvert County, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties in unincorporated Calvert County, including the communities of Prince Frederick, Dunkirk, Owings, Huntingtown, and St. Leonard. Calvert County has significant Critical Area acreage (23,314.3 total acres) including Resource Conservation Area (16,153 acres), Limited Development Area (6,500 acres), and Intensely Developed Area (661 acres). The 100-foot Critical Area buffer along tidal shorelines and tributary streams imposes additional constraints on many parcels.

Department

Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning, Division of Inspections & Permits

Address

County Administration Building, 3rd Floor, 150 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Phone

410-535-2155

Website

https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/497/Inspections-and-Permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether a permit is required using the county's Do I Need a Permit? tool. Note the March 1, 2025 zoning update that allows accessory structures up to 200 square feet without a building permit in non-Critical Area locations.
2. If the project involves grading, confirm whether a grading permit is required. Grading disturbing less than 5,000 square feet and less than 100 cubic yards does not require a grading permit application but does require submission of a Plot Plan.
3. Identify any parallel review requirements: zoning, Critical Area compliance, stormwater management, forest conservation, Health Department (well/septic), Public Works, and any site plan or subdivision review if applicable.
4. For projects requiring a building permit, prepare required plans. A Plot Plan is required at minimum; projects with grading over 5,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards require plans prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer, Land Surveyor, or Landscape Architect.
5. Create an account at Encompass and submit the building or grading permit application. Upload all required documents.
6. For residential permit applications, the building permit must be approved before plumbing and electrical permit applications can be submitted. Plumbing and electrical applications must be signed by Calvert County licensed master plumbers and master electricians respectively.
7. Pay fees after review and prior to permit issuance. Payment is accepted online via Encompass (credit card at 2.7% convenience fee or eCheck at $2.25 flat fee) or in person.
8. After the permit is issued, post the permit card on site and keep approved plans on site at all times.
9. Schedule all required inspections through Encompass or by calling 410-535-2155. Inspection requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. to be scheduled for the following business day.
10. Complete all required final inspections. A Certificate of Occupancy is required before a new single-family dwelling is occupied; all building, grading, electrical, and plumbing final inspections must be completed and approved before the C/O is issued.

Typical processing time: Not published as a universal turnaround. The November 2025 Land Management System upgrade was intended to reduce processing times and integrate architectural review directly into the permit workflow. The Permit Fast-Tracking program provides a while-you-wait option for residential accessory structures, additions, and renovations such as decks and sheds.

Source: Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning, Division of Inspections & Permits

General Requirements

Building permits are required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, or change of occupancy of a building or structure. Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing/gas, and grading work. Permits must be obtained prior to starting any work.

Required Documents

• Signed permit application form
• Plot Plan (to scale, showing property boundary, all existing and proposed structures, driveway, well/septic, recorded easements, wood line, contours, and existing stormwater devices)
• Grading plans prepared by a licensed PE, LS, or LA when disturbance exceeds 5,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards
• Stormwater management plan if applicable
• Foundation Location Survey (must be submitted and approved before framing inspection)

Permit validity

Permits expire 2 years after issuance unless the project is under continuous construction.

Building code

2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) as locally adopted. Note: Maryland state law mandates that all jurisdictions use the same code edition as the state; Maryland adopted the 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC effective May 29, 2023. Confirm current edition at https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3172/Building-Code-Adoption. The 2020 NEC and Maryland state electrical code apply statewide. The 2021 IECC applies statewide; Maryland required local adoption by May 29, 2024.

Owner-builder

Property owners may construct their own dwelling on their own property without a county building contractor's license, but proper permits are still required. All trade work (electrical, plumbing, gas) must still be performed by licensed tradespeople.

Contractor requirements

Calvert County requires building contractors to hold both a county building contractor's license and a Maryland Home Builder registration (since January 1, 2001). A license number must be provided before any permit application will be accepted. All electrical work requires a Calvert County licensed master electrician; all plumbing and gas work requires a Calvert County licensed master plumber. Maryland MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) license is required for home improvement contractors performing work over $100 on residential property.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25.00 application processing fee at submittal

Permit fee formula

$0.12 per square foot of finished floor area (residential); valuation-based for commercial

Trade permit fee

$25.00 application processing fee (residential); $100.00 (commercial), effective November 3, 2025

Payment note

2.7% convenience fee for credit card; $2.25 flat fee for eCheck via Encompass portal. Permits are NOT valid until application is approved, fees are paid, and the permit is issued.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective FY26).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Accessory structures up to 200 square feet in non-Critical Area locations (effective March 1, 2025, under the revised zoning ordinance). All accessory structures in the Critical Area still require permits.
• Prefabricated/manufactured sheds when placement does not require earthwork
• Fences (building permit not required; verify whether zoning compliance review applies for height or location)
• Painting
• Grading activities disturbing less than 5,000 square feet of land area and less than 100 cubic yards of earth do not require a grading permit application, though a Plot Plan must still be submitted
• Patios, driveways, and walkways where grading is under 5,000 square feet (no grading permit required; Plot Plan still needed)

Important: Critical Area restrictions override standard exemptions. Any work within the Critical Area (within 1,000 feet of mean high water line of tidal waters or tidal wetlands) may require additional review regardless of project size. A permit is required in the Critical Area for construction, grading, cutting or clearing vegetation, and shore erosion control measures.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Encompass Portal (online)
• 410-535-2155 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. to be scheduled for the following business day.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed for staff development 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for new residential construction: (1) Footing/slab inspection -- before footings or slabs are poured; (2) Foundation inspection -- before foundation walls are backfilled; (3) Foundation Location Survey -- must be submitted and approved before framing inspection is scheduled; (4) Framing inspection -- before framed walls are insulated; certifications required for engineered floor and roof systems; (5) Wall inspection -- before interior and exterior walls are covered; (6) Final building inspection -- upon completion of construction. Separate inspection sequences apply to plumbing, electrical, and grading permits. A Certificate of Occupancy is required before a new single-family dwelling is occupied; all building, grading, electrical, and plumbing final inspections must be approved before C/O is issued.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) as locally adopted. Note: Maryland state law mandates that all jurisdictions use the same code edition as the state; Maryland adopted the 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC effective May 29, 2023. Confirm current edition at https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3172/Building-Code-Adoption. The 2020 NEC and Maryland state electrical code apply statewide. The 2021 IECC applies statewide; Maryland required local adoption by May 29, 2024.
• Verify contractor license: Maryland MHIC License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Planning & Zoning Department
• Critical Area Program
• Critical Area Mitigation Plans
• Development Review Process
• Building Contractor License
• Permit Fast-Tracking Program
• Residential Permit Information
• Electrical Permits
• Plumbing/Gas Permits
• Grading Permits
• Building Permit Plan Requirements
• Maryland Building Codes Administration
• Calvert County Code Amendments
• License lookup guide: Maryland Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Maryland Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Maryland hub: Maryland Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Calvert County Building Permit FAQ

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

Building permits are required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, or change of occupancy of a building or structure. Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing/gas, and grading work. Permits must be obtained prior to starting any work.

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

The minimum permit fee is $25.00 application processing fee at submittal. Fees are calculated as: $0.12 per square foot of finished floor area (residential); valuation-based for commercial.

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

1. Determine whether a permit is required using the county's Do I Need a Permit? tool. Note the March 1, 2025 zoning update that allows accessory structures up to 200 square feet without a building permit in non-Critical Area locations. 2. If the project involves grading, confirm whether a grading permit is required. Grading disturbing less than 5,000 square feet and less than 100 cubic yards does not require a grading permit application but does require submission of a Plot Plan. 3. Identify any parallel review requirements: zoning, Critical Area compliance, stormwater management, forest conservation, Health Department (well/septic), Public Works, and any site plan or subdivision review if applicable. 4. For projects requiring a building permit, prepare required plans. A Plot Plan is required at minimum; projects with grading over 5,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards require plans prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer, Land Surveyor, or Landscape Architect. 5. Create an account at Encompass and submit the building or grading permit application. Upload all required documents. 6. For residential permit applications, the building permit must be approved before plumbing and electrical permit applications can be submitted. Plumbing and electrical applications must be signed by Calvert County licensed master plumbers and master electricians respectively. 7. Pay fees after review and prior to permit issuance. Payment is accepted online via Encompass (credit card at 2.7% convenience fee or eCheck at $2.25 flat fee) or in person. 8. After the permit is issued, post the permit card on site and keep approved plans on site at all times. 9. Schedule all required inspections through Encompass or by calling 410-535-2155. Inspection requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. to be scheduled for the following business day. 10. Complete all required final inspections. A Certificate of Occupancy is required before a new single-family dwelling is occupied; all building, grading, electrical, and plumbing final inspections must be completed and approved before the C/O is issued.

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

Typical processing time is Not published as a universal turnaround. The November 2025 Land Management System upgrade was intended to reduce processing times and integrate architectural review directly into the permit workflow. The Permit Fast-Tracking program provides a while-you-wait option for residential accessory structures, additions, and renovations such as decks and sheds..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures up to 200 square feet in non-Critical Area locations (effective March 1, 2025, under the revised zoning ordinance). All accessory structures in the Critical Area still require permits.; Prefabricated/manufactured sheds when placement does not require earthwork; Fences (building permit not required; verify whether zoning compliance review applies for height or location); Painting; Grading activities disturbing less than 5,000 square feet of land area and less than 100 cubic yards of earth do not require a grading permit application, though a Plot Plan must still be submitted; Patios, driveways, and walkways where grading is under 5,000 square feet (no grading permit required; Plot Plan still needed). Note: Critical Area restrictions override standard exemptions. Any work within the Critical Area (within 1,000 feet of mean high water line of tidal waters or tidal wetlands) may require additional review regardless of project size. A permit is required in the Critical Area for construction, grading, cutting or clearing vegetation, and shore erosion control measures.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Calvert County, MD?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Encompass Portal, 410-535-2155. Inspection requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. to be scheduled for the following business day..