Town of Chesapeake City, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Properties within Chesapeake City town limits require Town zoning approval and Historic District Commission review before a county building permit may be issued. The Town's Planning Commission reviews all zoning applications. Projects in the Historic District are reviewed by the Historic District Commission first, then referred to the Planning Commission. Chesapeake City is a designated historic town along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal with extensive historic district overlay requirements. Cecil County serves as the building authority and performs all building and trade inspections.

Department

Town of Chesapeake City (planning and zoning approval); Cecil County Division of Permits and Inspections (building permit and inspections)

Address

108 Bohemia Ave., Chesapeake City, MD 21915

Phone

410-885-5298

Website

https://www.chesapeakecity-md.gov/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project requires a Town zoning application. No building or structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered, or use of land changed without a permit in conformance with Town requirements.
2. If the property is in the Historic District, submit an application to the Historic District Commission for a certificate of appropriateness before proceeding to Planning Commission. All Level 2 projects exceeding $7,500 value or located in the Historic District must be referred to the Historic District Commission and then the Planning Commission.
3. Submit the Zoning Application to Town Hall at 108 Bohemia Ave. at least 7 days before the scheduled Planning Commission meeting to be placed on the agenda. Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.
4. Town approval documentation must be obtained before applying for the county building permit.
5. Apply for the Cecil County building permit via OpenGov at cecilcountymd.portal.opengov.com. Submit Town approval documentation with the county application.
6. Pay the non-refundable $10.00 county technology fee at time of county application; full county permit fees due prior to issuance.
7. Receive county building permit and keep it on site.
8. Schedule all required county inspections with 24 hours notice at 410-996-5235.

Typical processing time: Town Planning Commission meets monthly; applicants must submit 7 days prior to meeting. Historic District Commission has 45-day review period. County processing time varies by project.

Source: Town of Chesapeake City (planning and zoning approval); Cecil County Division of Permits and Inspections (building permit and inspections)

General Requirements

Any erection, moving, enlargement, addition, or structural alteration of a building or structure, any excavation for a building, and any construction pursuant to an approved development site plan or subdivision plat requires a permit. No building or zoning permit shall be issued to an applicant where the applicant, property owner, or property itself is subject to outstanding fines, charges, taxes, or assessments due the Town or is in violation of the Town's Charter or development regulations.

Required Documents

• Town zoning application
• Site plan
• Construction drawings
• Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness where applicable
• County building permit application materials

Permit validity

Cecil County county-wide permit validity rules apply.

Building code

Cecil County enforces state-mandated 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, and 2023 NEC (effective August 2, 2025).

Owner-builder

Same as county-wide.

Contractor requirements

Same as county-wide -- MHIC for home improvement, Maryland construction license for new/commercial.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$10.00

Permit fee formula

Town fees: No published fee schedule identified online; contact Town Hall at 410-885-5298 for current zoning application and planning commission fees. County fees: Per Cecil County Development Fee Schedule (updated February 2024); minimum $10.00 non-refundable technology fee at application.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective February 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Routine repairs replacing damaged or worn-out portions may not require a Town permit

Important: All Historic District exterior work visible from a public way requires a Certificate of Appropriateness regardless of permit exemption status. Verify with Town Hall before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 410-996-5235 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

24 hours advance notice required.

Typical inspection sequence: All building, plumbing, mechanical, gas, and electrical inspections performed by Cecil County Division of Permits and Inspections or county-approved electrical agencies. Required inspections list provided at permit issuance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Cecil County enforces state-mandated 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, and 2023 NEC (effective August 2, 2025).
• Verify contractor license: Maryland MHIC License Lookup
• Boards and Commissions
• Zoning Application Form (Fence/Wall)
• Cecil County Permits
• License lookup guide: Maryland Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Maryland Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Maryland hub: Maryland Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Chesapeake City Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Chesapeake City, MD?

Any erection, moving, enlargement, addition, or structural alteration of a building or structure, any excavation for a building, and any construction pursuant to an approved development site plan or subdivision plat requires a permit. No building or zoning permit shall be issued to an applicant where the applicant, property owner, or property itself is subject to outstanding fines, charges, taxes, or assessments due the Town or is in violation of the Town's Charter or development regulations.

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

The minimum permit fee is $10.00. Fees are calculated as: Town fees: No published fee schedule identified online; contact Town Hall at 410-885-5298 for current zoning application and planning commission fees. County fees: Per Cecil County Development Fee Schedule (updated February 2024); minimum $10.00 non-refundable technology fee at application..

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Chesapeake City, MD?

1. Determine whether the project requires a Town zoning application. No building or structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered, or use of land changed without a permit in conformance with Town requirements. 2. If the property is in the Historic District, submit an application to the Historic District Commission for a certificate of appropriateness before proceeding to Planning Commission. All Level 2 projects exceeding $7,500 value or located in the Historic District must be referred to the Historic District Commission and then the Planning Commission. 3. Submit the Zoning Application to Town Hall at 108 Bohemia Ave. at least 7 days before the scheduled Planning Commission meeting to be placed on the agenda. Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. 4. Town approval documentation must be obtained before applying for the county building permit. 5. Apply for the Cecil County building permit via OpenGov at cecilcountymd.portal.opengov.com. Submit Town approval documentation with the county application. 6. Pay the non-refundable $10.00 county technology fee at time of county application; full county permit fees due prior to issuance. 7. Receive county building permit and keep it on site. 8. Schedule all required county inspections with 24 hours notice at 410-996-5235.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Chesapeake City, MD?

Typical processing time is Town Planning Commission meets monthly; applicants must submit 7 days prior to meeting. Historic District Commission has 45-day review period. County processing time varies by project..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Routine repairs replacing damaged or worn-out portions may not require a Town permit. Note: All Historic District exterior work visible from a public way requires a Certificate of Appropriateness regardless of permit exemption status. Verify with Town Hall before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 410-996-5235. 24 hours advance notice required..

Other cities in Cecil County