County Building Permits
Charles County, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Charles County, Maryland. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Applies to county territory outside incorporated La Plata and Indian Head. County permitting can be supplemented by Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, floodplain, stormwater, forest conservation, health department, SHA, fire marshal, HOA, or other specialized approvals depending on the site.
- Department
- Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services
- Address
- 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646
- Phone
- 301-645-0692
Online Permit Portal
Platform: EnerGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Use the County Permit Guide to identify required permits and associated agencies for the project location.
- Submit electronically through CSS with all required documents.
- County staff accepts the submittal and invoices application/plan review fees.
- Pay fees through CSS or at a County payment center.
- Review proceeds through the relevant disciplines; resubmit if comments are issued.
- Permit is issued electronically once all conditions are satisfied.
- Schedule and pass all required inspections before final approval or occupancy.
Typical processing time: Acceptance within 2 business days; residential review 6 business days; Critical Area residential review 8 business days; commercial review 15 business days; trade permits 2 business days.
Source: Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services
General Requirements
County residential and commercial permit triggers apply, including structural work, additions, demolition, pools, decks, larger sheds, taller fences, signs, change of occupancy, fuel tanks, tents, and many trade-system changes.
Required Documents
- Permit-type-specific plans and supporting materials
- County FAQ points applicants to comment letters and resubmittals through CSS where needed
- Permit validity
- County extension fees are published. Verify on issued permit for expiration terms.
- Building code
- 2021 I-Codes and 2020 NEC for permits applied for on or after June 28, 2024.
- Owner-builder
- Owners may act as their own general contractor and assume liability. Homeowner electrical work is limited unless a Homeowner Permit is obtained.
- Contractor requirements
- Maryland Home Improvement Commission licensing, Maryland contractor licensing, and County electrical licensing requirements apply by trade and project type.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $144 application fee for new construction/additions/alterations; $115 for other building/zoning/critical area permit types; $27 each for trade permit application fees; $139 minimum residential plan review
- Plan check fee
- $0.19 per square foot for residential (minimum $139); $0.19 per square foot for commercial (minimum $222)
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed application, plan review, zoning/environmental review, and inspection fee schedule
- Trade permit fee
- $27 per trade permit
- Reinspection fee
- $158 for building or trade reinspection
- Penalty (no permit)
- Stop work, code violation, zoning, and Critical Area penalties apply where triggered
- Payment note
- Online CSS payments by card; in-person payments by card, cash, or check at Treasury payment centers.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective FY26).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Schedule an Inspection page (online)
- 301-645-0692 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Schedule per the County inspection page and the appropriate inspection agency contacts.
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Inspection sequence varies by permit and is listed on the issued permit.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 I-Codes and 2020 NEC for permits applied for on or after June 28, 2024.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Permits FAQs
- Critical Area Maps
- 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 Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Charles County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Charles County, MD?
- County residential and commercial permit triggers apply, including structural work, additions, demolition, pools, decks, larger sheds, taller fences, signs, change of occupancy, fuel tanks, tents, and many trade-system changes.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Charles County, MD?
- The minimum permit fee is $144 application fee for new construction/additions/alterations; $115 for other building/zoning/critical area permit types; $27 each for trade permit application fees; $139 minimum residential plan review. Fees are calculated as: Mixed application, plan review, zoning/environmental review, and inspection fee schedule. Plan check fee: $0.19 per square foot for residential (minimum $139); $0.19 per square foot for commercial (minimum $222).
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Charles County, MD?
- 1. Use the County Permit Guide to identify required permits and associated agencies for the project location. 2. Submit electronically through CSS with all required documents. 3. County staff accepts the submittal and invoices application/plan review fees. 4. Pay fees through CSS or at a County payment center. 5. Review proceeds through the relevant disciplines; resubmit if comments are issued. 6. Permit is issued electronically once all conditions are satisfied. 7. Schedule and pass all required inspections before final approval or occupancy.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Charles County, MD?
- Typical processing time is Acceptance within 2 business days; residential review 6 business days; Critical Area residential review 8 business days; commercial review 15 business days; trade permits 2 business days..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Charles County, MD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Schedule an Inspection page, 301-645-0692. Schedule per the County inspection page and the appropriate inspection agency contacts..
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