City Building Permits
Cambridge, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Cambridge, Maryland. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the incorporated City of Cambridge. Cambridge is the county seat and the only city in Dorchester County. Cambridge operates its own building permit and inspection function independently of the county. The city has significant Chesapeake Bay Critical Area exposure, floodplain areas, and a Historic District that can layer additional review requirements.
- Department
- City of Cambridge Department of Public Works, Building Safety Services Division
- Address
- 1025 Washington Street, Cambridge, MD 21613
- Phone
- 410-228-8811 (Building Safety Services); 410-228-1955 (Department of Public Works main)
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Contact the Building Safety Services Division at 410-228-8811 or visit 1025 Washington Street to confirm whether a permit is required for the specific work and to obtain application forms.
- Download or obtain the permit application and required checklists from the Forms and Ordinances page.
- Prepare construction documents: plans must be prepared and signed by a registered and licensed Maryland design professional (architect or engineer) where required by the building code.
- Submit the completed application with plans, site information, and fees to the Building Safety Services Division at 1025 Washington Street.
- Staff review construction documents for compliance with the adopted codes and with Cambridge ordinances.
- Respond to plan review comments and resubmit corrected documents if required.
- After approval, receive the building permit and post it on site.
- Schedule required inspections at each stage of construction.
- Upon completion, obtain final inspections from all applicable agencies (building, electrical, plumbing, fire) and receive a Certificate of Occupancy from the Cambridge Department of Public Works before occupying the structure.
Source: City of Cambridge Department of Public Works, Building Safety Services Division
General Requirements
A permit is required for new construction, additions, structural alterations, demolition, changes of occupancy, and the installation, repair, or replacement of electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire protection systems.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Construction drawings/plans signed and sealed by a licensed Maryland architect or engineer where required
- Site plan
- Applicable checklists from the Forms and Ordinances page
- Critical Area or floodplain documentation if applicable
- Health Department approval for septic/water where applicable
- Building code
- Cambridge enforces the ICC standards as adopted by the State of Maryland under the MBPS -- the 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, and 2020 NEC with Maryland amendments. Confirm current locally amended editions with the division.
- Contractor requirements
- Maryland trade licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas) are required for trade work. MHIC licensing applies to home improvement contractors. The city may impose additional local licensing requirements; confirm with the division.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- A formal fee schedule is published on the city's Forms and Ordinances page. Specific fee amounts and calculation method are in the fee schedule document. Contact 410-228-8811 for current fee information.
- Payment note
- Fees are paid at the Building Safety Services office; contact the division for accepted payment methods.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works, Building Safety Services Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 410-228-8811 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Construction inspections at key stages as required by the adopted codes; all applicable agencies (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire) must complete final inspections before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Cambridge enforces the ICC standards as adopted by the State of Maryland under the MBPS -- the 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, and 2020 NEC with Maryland amendments. Confirm current locally amended editions with the division.
- Verify contractor license: Maryland MHIC contractor licensing
- City code (Municode)
- Business development guide
- Maryland DLLR local contacts (Cambridge)
- 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 City of Cambridge Department of Public Works, Building Safety Services Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambridge Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Cambridge, MD?
- A permit is required for new construction, additions, structural alterations, demolition, changes of occupancy, and the installation, repair, or replacement of electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire protection systems.
- How much does a building permit cost in Cambridge, MD?
- Fees are calculated as: A formal fee schedule is published on the city's Forms and Ordinances page. Specific fee amounts and calculation method are in the fee schedule document. Contact 410-228-8811 for current fee information..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Cambridge, MD?
- 1. Contact the Building Safety Services Division at 410-228-8811 or visit 1025 Washington Street to confirm whether a permit is required for the specific work and to obtain application forms. 2. Download or obtain the permit application and required checklists from the Forms and Ordinances page. 3. Prepare construction documents: plans must be prepared and signed by a registered and licensed Maryland design professional (architect or engineer) where required by the building code. 4. Submit the completed application with plans, site information, and fees to the Building Safety Services Division at 1025 Washington Street. 5. Staff review construction documents for compliance with the adopted codes and with Cambridge ordinances. 6. Respond to plan review comments and resubmit corrected documents if required. 7. After approval, receive the building permit and post it on site. 8. Schedule required inspections at each stage of construction. 9. Upon completion, obtain final inspections from all applicable agencies (building, electrical, plumbing, fire) and receive a Certificate of Occupancy from the Cambridge Department of Public Works before occupying the structure.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Cambridge, MD?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 410-228-8811.
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