County Building Permits

Kent County, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Maryland Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Issues building and trade permits for all unincorporated areas of Kent County. Properties within the incorporated limits of Chestertown, Rock Hall, Betterton, Galena, or Millington are NOT served by this office for building permits; those municipalities have their own permit processes. The county also administers the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area program and sediment/stormwater control programs for unincorporated areas.

Department
Kent County Department of Planning, Housing and Zoning
Address
County Government Center, 400 High Street, Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone
(410) 778-7423
Website
https://www.kentcounty.com/planning/building-permits/

Online Permit Portal

Open MyGovernmentOnline (MGO)

Platform: MyGovernmentOnline • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Determine whether your property is in unincorporated Kent County or within a municipality (Chestertown, Rock Hall, Betterton, Galena, Millington).
  2. Determine permit type: building/demolition, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sewer, or grading/sediment control.
  3. For Critical Area properties (within 1,000 feet of tidal water, wetlands, or tributary streams), contact the Planning Department to confirm Critical Area classification and whether a Buffer Management Plan is required.
  4. For projects with land disturbance, contact Kent Conservation District (KCD) at (410) 778-5954 for sediment/stormwater plan review and permit before applying for building permit.
  5. Prepare required documents: completed application form, site plan, construction plans (two sets), contractor license information (MHIC and applicable trade licenses).
  6. Create an account at MyGovernmentOnline (mygovernmentonline.org) and submit application online, or bring completed application and documents to the County Government Center, 400 High Street.
  7. Pay all fees in full at time of application. No permit is issued until fees are paid.
  8. Await plan review. Kent County staff reviews for compliance with adopted codes, zoning, Critical Area rules, and land use ordinance. Allow at least 30 business days.
  9. Address any plan review corrections and resubmit revised documents.
  10. Once approved and fees paid, permit is issued. Post permit on job site.
  11. Notify Kent Conservation District in writing at least 5 business days prior to commencing any earth-disturbing work (pre-construction meeting required).
  12. Schedule and pass required inspections at each milestone.
  13. Receive final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy upon satisfactory completion.

Typical processing time: At least 30 business days for plan review. Additional review cycles for corrections extend processing time. Complex or large projects take longer.

Source: Kent County Department of Planning, Housing and Zoning

General Requirements

A permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolitions, and changes of occupancy. Required for all electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Required for accessory structures above the threshold. Required for grading work with land disturbance. Required for all work within the Critical Area buffer unless specifically exempt.

Required Documents

  • Completed building/demolition permit application
  • Two (2) sets of construction plans (floor plans, elevations, sections, structural details)
  • Site plan showing property lines, setbacks, existing structures, proposed work location, impervious surface calculations, and Critical Area buffer boundary (if applicable)
  • Energy compliance documentation (IECC and Maryland energy amendments)
  • Contractor MHIC license number and any applicable trade license numbers
  • Homeowner owner-builder affidavit (if owner-builder on primary residence)
  • Residential fire sprinkler system design documentation (required for new R-3 dwellings)
  • Sediment control plan or KCD approval (if land disturbance involved)
  • Critical Area worksheet or Buffer Management Plan (if within Critical Area)
Permit validity
Permits expire if work does not commence within a reasonable time after issuance, or if work is abandoned or suspended. Exact expiration period per currently adopted IBC/IRC provisions and local code amendments; confirm with department.
Building code
2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IECC, 2020 NEC (NFPA 70), NFPA 1, NFPA 101, all as adopted by the State of Maryland with amendments, plus local Kent County amendments (Bill No. 10-2024 effective 3-4-2025 re: fire sprinklers). eCode360 Chapter 73 (Building Construction): https://ecode360.com/11474555. In any conflict between the codes and the Kent County Land Use Ordinance, the more restrictive provision applies.
Owner-builder
Homeowners may pull their own building permits for their primary residence. Trade work (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas) typically requires licensed contractors for permit purposes; confirm current owner-builder trade permit rules with the Planning Department.
Contractor requirements
MHIC license required for home improvement work on residential structures. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other specialty trades require separate Maryland state trade licenses. Sprinkler contractor license required for residential fire sprinkler system installation. MHIC verification: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/

Fees

Permit fee formula
Fees for building permits are established by County Commissioners resolution and are based on construction valuation. Residential permit fees are charged per square foot or as a percentage of construction value; commercial permits similarly. Additional fees apply for Health Department review, sediment control permits, and stormwater.
Payment note
Payment accepted at the County Government Center in person; online payment available through MyGovernmentOnline portal. Confirm current accepted payment methods (cash, check, credit card) with the office. Fee schedule is established by County Commissioners resolution and is available in the Planning and Zoning office. Not publicly posted in detail on the county website at time of research. Contact (410) 778-7423 for current fee schedule.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds, playhouses, or similar, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (Kent County reported threshold; confirm current with department -- state IRC threshold is 120 sq ft, local thresholds vary)
  • Ordinary repairs that do not involve structural changes, additions, alterations, or modifications of any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system
  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
  • Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and used with a listed pump and filter system (confirm current threshold)
  • Fences not exceeding 6 feet in height (confirm; fences in Critical Area may require review)
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless retaining a surcharge or adjacent to a public way

Important: Critical Area work is subject to a separate review overlay regardless of building permit exemption status. Any impervious surface addition, vegetation removal, or grading within the Critical Area requires Critical Area review even if no building permit is required. Buildings on farms (excluding residential buildings) are exempt from all inspections except electrical and plumbing.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours
Office hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Typical inspection sequence: Typical inspection sequence for residential new construction: 1. Footings/foundation (after excavation, before concrete pour). 2. Sediment/erosion control inspection (Kent Conservation District, concurrent). 3. Underground utilities (plumbing/electrical below slab, if applicable). 4. Framing inspection (after all framing, roof sheathing, fire blocking complete). 5. Rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. 6. Residential fire sprinkler rough inspection. 7. Insulation inspection. 8. Final building inspection (when all work is complete). 9. Certificate of Occupancy issued after satisfactory final.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Kent County Department of Planning, Housing and Zoning before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kent County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Kent County, MD?
A permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolitions, and changes of occupancy. Required for all electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Required for accessory structures above the threshold. Required for grading work with land disturbance. Required for all work within the Critical Area buffer unless specifically exempt.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Kent County, MD?
Fees are calculated as: Fees for building permits are established by County Commissioners resolution and are based on construction valuation. Residential permit fees are charged per square foot or as a percentage of construction value; commercial permits similarly. Additional fees apply for Health Department review, sediment control permits, and stormwater..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kent County, MD?
1. Determine whether your property is in unincorporated Kent County or within a municipality (Chestertown, Rock Hall, Betterton, Galena, Millington). 2. Determine permit type: building/demolition, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sewer, or grading/sediment control. 3. For Critical Area properties (within 1,000 feet of tidal water, wetlands, or tributary streams), contact the Planning Department to confirm Critical Area classification and whether a Buffer Management Plan is required. 4. For projects with land disturbance, contact Kent Conservation District (KCD) at (410) 778-5954 for sediment/stormwater plan review and permit before applying for building permit. 5. Prepare required documents: completed application form, site plan, construction plans (two sets), contractor license information (MHIC and applicable trade licenses). 6. Create an account at MyGovernmentOnline (mygovernmentonline.org) and submit application online, or bring completed application and documents to the County Government Center, 400 High Street. 7. Pay all fees in full at time of application. No permit is issued until fees are paid. 8. Await plan review. Kent County staff reviews for compliance with adopted codes, zoning, Critical Area rules, and land use ordinance. Allow at least 30 business days. 9. Address any plan review corrections and resubmit revised documents. 10. Once approved and fees paid, permit is issued. Post permit on job site. 11. Notify Kent Conservation District in writing at least 5 business days prior to commencing any earth-disturbing work (pre-construction meeting required). 12. Schedule and pass required inspections at each milestone. 13. Receive final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy upon satisfactory completion.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Kent County, MD?
Typical processing time is At least 30 business days for plan review. Additional review cycles for corrections extend processing time. Complex or large projects take longer..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Kent County, MD?
The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds, playhouses, or similar, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (Kent County reported threshold; confirm current with department -- state IRC threshold is 120 sq ft, local thresholds vary); Ordinary repairs that do not involve structural changes, additions, alterations, or modifications of any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and used with a listed pump and filter system (confirm current threshold); Fences not exceeding 6 feet in height (confirm; fences in Critical Area may require review); Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless retaining a surcharge or adjacent to a public way. Note: Critical Area work is subject to a separate review overlay regardless of building permit exemption status. Any impervious surface addition, vegetation removal, or grading within the Critical Area requires Critical Area review even if no building permit is required. Buildings on farms (excluding residential buildings) are exempt from all inspections except electrical and plumbing.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Kent County, MD?
Inspections can be scheduled via: (410) 778-7423, MyGovernmentOnline portal.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.
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