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§ MD Charles County
County building permits

Unincorporated Charles County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Charles County, Maryland. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services

Street address
200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646
Phone
301-645-0692
Email
PGMAdmin@CharlesCountyMD.gov
Coverage
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.
Online portal
Citizen Self Service (CSS)
EnerGov
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Charles County

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.

Note: County public exempt-work examples are available through County FAQ pages but are not posted as a single complete list. Confirm edge cases with the Permit Center.

Required documents
  • Permit-type-specific plans and supporting materials
  • County FAQ points applicants to comment letters and resubmittals through CSS where needed
Building code
2021 I-Codes and 2020 NEC for permits applied for on or after June 28, 2024.
Permit validity
County extension fees are published. Verify on issued permit for expiration terms.
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.

Source: Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 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.

  1. 01
    Use the County Permit Guide to identify required permits and associated agencies for the project location.
  2. 02
    Submit electronically through CSS with all required documents.
  3. 03
    County staff accepts the submittal and invoices application/plan review fees.
  4. 04
    Pay fees through CSS or at a County payment center.
  5. 05
    Review proceeds through the relevant disciplines; resubmit if comments are issued.
  6. 06
    Permit is issued electronically once all conditions are satisfied.
  7. 07
    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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective FY26

Fee type
Amount
01
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
02
Plan check fee
$0.19 per square foot for residential (minimum $139); $0.19 per square foot for commercial (minimum $222)
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed application, plan review, zoning/environmental review, and inspection fee schedule
04
Trade permit fee
$27 per trade permit
05
Reinspection fee
$158 for building or trade reinspection
06
Penalty (no permit)
Stop work, code violation, zoning, and Critical Area penalties apply where triggered

Online CSS payments by card; in-person payments by card, cash, or check at Treasury payment centers.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective FY26) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
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 sequence: Inspection sequence varies by permit and is listed on the issued permit.

Source: Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Charles County permits

01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Charles County, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Charles County, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Charles County, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Charles County, MD, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Charles County, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Charles County, MD typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Charles County, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Charles County, MD via: Schedule an Inspection page, 301-645-0692. Schedule per the County inspection page and the appropriate inspection agency contacts..
last verified April 2026 source Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services ↗ entry id permits/maryland/charles/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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