Chestertown, MD — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Town of Chestertown Department of Planning and Zoning

Street address

118 North Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620

Phone

(410) 778-0500

zoning@chestertown.com

Coverage

Chestertown is the county seat of Kent County and the largest municipality. The Town issues its own building permits for all properties within incorporated Chestertown limits. The Town's Planning and Zoning Department provides staff support to the Mayor and Council, Planning Commission, Historic District Commission (HDC), and Zoning Board of Appeals. Chestertown has a recognized National Register historic district overlapping much of its downtown; HDC review is required for exterior work on properties within the historic district boundary.

Online portal

Building Permit Application

In-Person Submission

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Chestertown

Required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs that involve structural work, demolitions, and changes of occupancy. Required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Exterior work on Historic District properties requires HDC approval in addition to any required building permit.

Scope of work

Permit?

Routine maintenance on Historic District properties that does not destroy, alter, or cover historic building materials or finishes (exempt from HDC review, but still subject to building permit requirements if structural work is involved)

Exempt

Standard IRC/IBC exempt categories (small detached accessory structures, painting, finish work, minor repairs). Confirm specific exemptions with (410) 778-0500 since the Town's local ordinance may apply stricter standards than the state baseline

Exempt

Exempt Routine maintenance on Historic District properties that does not destroy, alter, or cover historic building materials or finishes (exempt from HDC review, but still subject to building permit requirements if structural work is involved)
Exempt Standard IRC/IBC exempt categories (small detached accessory structures, painting, finish work, minor repairs). Confirm specific exemptions with (410) 778-0500 since the Town's local ordinance may apply stricter standards than the state baseline

Note: Even if work is exempt from a building permit, exterior alterations to Historic District properties may still require HDC review before proceeding.

Required documents

Completed Building Application A or B (depending on Historic District status)
Two (2) complete sets of construction plans
Site plan showing property lines, setbacks, existing and proposed structures
Drawings, pictures, or brochure of proposed structure
Street Impediment/Dumpster Permit Application (if applicable)
Owner authorization page (if owner not signing directly)
HOA approval documentation (if applicable)
HDC approval (for Historic District properties)

Building code: State-mandated 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, and related codes with Maryland amendments. Chestertown's local zoning ordinance (Chapter 170, updated March 2, 2026) governs land use and dimensional requirements. Zoning ordinance: https://www.chestertown.gov/media/6321
Permit validity: 6 months from issuance date. Expired permits require reapplication and possible renewed HDC review.
Owner-builder: Not detailed on Town website. Contact (410) 778-0500 to confirm whether homeowners may act as their own general contractor for primary residence work.
Contractor requirements: MHIC license required for home improvement contractors working on residential structures. Trade licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) required per Maryland state law. MHIC verification: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/

Source: Town of Chestertown Department of Planning and Zoning ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: At least 30 business days for standard building permit review. HDC properties require additional time (minimum 25 days before the next HDC meeting date, plus time for plan review after HDC approval). New construction or demolition in the Historic District requires two (2) HDC hearings before a permit can be issued.

01

Determine whether property is inside or outside the Historic District boundary. Use the Town's zoning map or contact (410) 778-0500.
02

Select the correct application form: Building Application A (outside Historic District) or Building Application B (inside Historic District).
03

Compile required materials: completed application, two (2) sets of construction plans, site plan, and drawings/pictures/brochure of proposed structure. If a dumpster will be placed in a street or public right-of-way, also complete a Street Impediment/Dumpster Permit Application.
04

If the property is in a homeowners association (HOA): obtain and attach HOA approval before submitting to the Town.
05

If the property owner will not sign the permit application personally: include a signed owner authorization page from the property owner.
06

For properties in the Historic District: HDC review is required before the building permit is issued. HDC meetings: first Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall. New construction or demolition permits require application and all supporting materials to be received no later than 25 days prior to the scheduled HDC meeting. All other HDC applications require materials no later than 1 week before the scheduled meeting.
07

Submit completed application package to the Town office at 118 North Cross Street.
08

Pay all applicable permit fees. No permit is active until all fees are paid.
09

Await plan review for compliance with Chestertown Zoning Ordinance, building codes, Critical Area ordinance, and forest conservation regulations.
10

Address any corrections and resubmit.
11

Receive issued building permit. Post on job site.
12

Schedule and pass required inspections. Contact (410) 778-0500 to schedule.
13

Final inspection; receive Certificate of Occupancy.

Typical processing time: At least 30 business days for standard building permit review. HDC properties require additional time (minimum 25 days before the next HDC meeting date, plus time for plan review after HDC approval). New construction or demolition in the Historic District requires two (2) HDC hearings before a permit can be issued.

Source: Town of Chestertown Department of Planning and Zoning ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective July 1, 2025

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

Fees are assessed per square foot or by project valuation. Reported structure: a base fee for the first 3,000 sq ft of residential construction, plus $0.25 per square foot for each square foot thereafter; for commercial, industrial, and public construction, a base fee for the first 10,000 sq ft plus $0.25 per sq ft thereafter. Confirm exact current rates with the Town office.

In-person payment at Town Hall (118 North Cross Street); confirm accepted payment methods (cash, check, credit/debit card) with the office. The Town fee schedule PDF may have been updated. Always verify current fees directly with the Town of Chestertown Planning and Zoning Department at (410) 778-0500.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2025) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(410) 778-0500 (phone)

Inspection hours: Town Hall hours 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Typical sequence: Standard Maryland residential inspection sequence applies (footings, rough framing, rough trades, insulation, final). Confirm exact required inspections at time of permit issuance with the Town office.

Source: Town of Chestertown Department of Planning and Zoning ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Chestertown permits

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

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

Building permit fees in Chestertown, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Fees are assessed per square foot or by project valuation. Reported structure: a base fee for the first 3,000 sq ft of residential construction, plus $0.25 per square foot for each square foot thereafter; for commercial, industrial, and public construction, a base fee for the first 10,000 sq ft plus $0.25 per sq ft thereafter. Confirm exact current rates with the Town office..

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

To apply for a building permit in Chestertown, MD, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether property is inside or outside the Historic District boundary. Use the Town's zoning map or contact (410) 778-0500. 2. Select the correct application form: Building Application A (outside Historic District) or Building Application B (inside Historic District). 3. Compile required materials: completed application, two (2) sets of construction plans, site plan, and drawings/pictures/brochure of proposed structure. If a dumpster will be placed in a street or public right-of-way, also complete a Street Impediment/Dumpster Permit Application. 4. If the property is in a homeowners association (HOA): obtain and attach HOA approval before submitting to the Town. 5. If the property owner will not sign the permit application personally: include a signed owner authorization page from the property owner. 6. For properties in the Historic District: HDC review is required before the building permit is issued. HDC meetings: first Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall. New construction or demolition permits require application and all supporting materials to be received no later than 25 days prior to the scheduled HDC meeting. All other HDC applications require materials no later than 1 week before the scheduled meeting. 7. Submit completed application package to the Town office at 118 North Cross Street. 8. Pay all applicable permit fees. No permit is active until all fees are paid. 9. Await plan review for compliance with Chestertown Zoning Ordinance, building codes, Critical Area ordinance, and forest conservation regulations. 10. Address any corrections and resubmit. 11. Receive issued building permit. Post on job site. 12. Schedule and pass required inspections. Contact (410) 778-0500 to schedule. 13. Final inspection; receive Certificate of Occupancy.

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

Building permit processing times in Chestertown, MD typically run At least 30 business days for standard building permit review. HDC properties require additional time (minimum 25 days before the next HDC meeting date, plus time for plan review after HDC approval). New construction or demolition in the Historic District requires two (2) HDC hearings before a permit can be issued.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Chestertown, MD? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Chestertown, MD. The following work is generally exempt: Routine maintenance on Historic District properties that does not destroy, alter, or cover historic building materials or finishes (exempt from HDC review, but still subject to building permit requirements if structural work is involved); Standard IRC/IBC exempt categories (small detached accessory structures, painting, finish work, minor repairs). Confirm specific exemptions with (410) 778-0500 since the Town's local ordinance may apply stricter standards than the state baseline. Note: Even if work is exempt from a building permit, exterior alterations to Historic District properties may still require HDC review before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Chestertown, MD? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Chestertown, MD via: (410) 778-0500.

last verified April 2026 source Town of Chestertown Department of Planning and Zoning ↗ entry id permits/maryland/kent/chestertown

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Chestertown Department of Planning and Zoning before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Town of Chestertown

Other jurisdictions in Kent County.