Betterton, MD — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Town of Betterton -- Town Manager / Building Official

Street address

100 Main Street, Betterton, MD 21610 (P.O. Box 339, Betterton, MD 21610)

Phone

(410) 348-5522

Coverage

Betterton is a very small resort town on the Sassafras River arm of the Chesapeake Bay with a population under 400. The Town issues its own building permits for all properties within incorporated Betterton limits. Betterton is almost entirely within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area; its waterfront location means Critical Area rules apply broadly. The Town has a Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Worksheet and a Critical Area Tree Removal Application as distinct forms. Building regulations are adopted by local ordinance (Ordinance #2013-01 and subsequent amendments).

Online portal

Forms and Applications

Paper/PDF Forms

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Betterton

Required for new construction, additions, alterations, and other regulated work per Building Regulations (Ordinance #2013-01 and amendments). Review Building Regulations document before applying.

Note: Not published in detail on Town website. Standard state IRC/IBC exempt categories likely apply. Review the Building Regulations document available on the forms page. Critical Area rules impose additional requirements on vegetation removal and impervious coverage regardless of building permit exemption status.

Required documents

Completed Building Permit Application Form
3 sets of construction plans (note: 3 sets, not 2)
Site plan
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Worksheet (for Critical Area properties)
Critical Area Tree Removal Application (if trees will be removed in Critical Area)

Building code: Ordinance #2013-01 and subsequent amendments establish local building regulations. State-mandated 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, and related codes with Maryland amendments apply as the base codes.
Permit validity: Not confirmed from public sources. Contact (410) 348-5522.
Owner-builder: Not detailed on Town website. Contact office to confirm.
Contractor requirements: MHIC license required for home improvement work on residential structures per Maryland state law. Trade licenses required for electrical, plumbing, HVAC per state law.

Source: Town of Betterton -- Town Manager / Building Official ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 7 to 10 business days for permit approval per Town guidance.

01

Download and review the Building Regulations from: https://www.townofbetterton.com/government/_forms___applications.php
02

Determine whether the property is in the Critical Area (nearly all Betterton properties are). If so, complete the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Worksheet in addition to the main permit application.
03

Complete the Building Permit Application Form.
04

Compile required materials: completed application, 3 sets of construction plans, and site plan. Betterton requires 3 sets of plans (not 2 as in some other jurisdictions).
05

Submit all materials in person at Town Hall (100 Main Street) during business hours.
06

Pay applicable building permit fees at time of submission.
07

Allow 7 to 10 business days for permit approval.
08

Receive issued permit; post on job site.
09

Schedule and pass required inspections by contacting the Town at (410) 348-5522.
10

Final inspection; Certificate of Occupancy or final approval issued.

Typical processing time: 7 to 10 business days for permit approval per Town guidance.

Source: Town of Betterton -- Town Manager / Building Official ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Betterton building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

Specific fee amounts are in the downloadable fee schedule PDF. Download current version from the forms page above. Contact (410) 348-5522 for current rates.

In-person at Town Hall; confirm accepted payment methods. Fee schedule is a downloadable PDF and may be updated by the Town periodically. Download the current version from the forms page or call (410) 348-5522 to confirm.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(410) 348-5522 (phone)

Inspection hours: Contact office for current hours

Typical sequence: Not published in detail. Standard Maryland sequence applies. Confirm required inspections with the Town at time of permit issuance.

Source: Town of Betterton -- Town Manager / Building Official ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Betterton permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Betterton, MD? ▸

Required for new construction, additions, alterations, and other regulated work per Building Regulations (Ordinance #2013-01 and amendments). Review Building Regulations document before applying.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Betterton, MD? ▸

Building permit fees in Betterton, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Specific fee amounts are in the downloadable fee schedule PDF. Download current version from the forms page above. Contact (410) 348-5522 for current rates..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Betterton, MD? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Betterton, MD, follow these steps: 1. Download and review the Building Regulations from: https://www.townofbetterton.com/government/_forms___applications.php 2. Determine whether the property is in the Critical Area (nearly all Betterton properties are). If so, complete the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Worksheet in addition to the main permit application. 3. Complete the Building Permit Application Form. 4. Compile required materials: completed application, 3 sets of construction plans, and site plan. Betterton requires 3 sets of plans (not 2 as in some other jurisdictions). 5. Submit all materials in person at Town Hall (100 Main Street) during business hours. 6. Pay applicable building permit fees at time of submission. 7. Allow 7 to 10 business days for permit approval. 8. Receive issued permit; post on job site. 9. Schedule and pass required inspections by contacting the Town at (410) 348-5522. 10. Final inspection; Certificate of Occupancy or final approval issued.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Betterton, MD? ▸

Building permit processing times in Betterton, MD typically run 7 to 10 business days for permit approval per Town guidance.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Betterton, MD? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Betterton, MD via: (410) 348-5522.

last verified April 2026 source Town of Betterton -- Town Manager / Building Official ↗ entry id permits/maryland/kent/betterton

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Betterton -- Town Manager / Building Official before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Town of Betterton

Other jurisdictions in Kent County.