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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Easton
A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of any building or structure, and before installing, enlarging, altering, replacing, or converting electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. Separate permits are required for each trade. Work may not begin before the permit is issued.
Residential accessory structures under 220 square feet with eaves no higher than 10 feet and not permanently fixed to a foundation (zoning approval may still be required)
Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons
Window awnings on one- and two-family dwellings not extending more than 54 inches from the wall (zoning review still applies)
Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
Prefabricated swings and playground equipment for one- and two-family dwellings
Short-term tents under 400 square feet (one- and two-family) or under 200 square feet (other uses)
Fuel gas: portable fuel-gas appliances, replacement of fuel-gas appliance components in kind, and similar minor maintenance
Mechanical: portable heating/cooling/evaporative cooling units, steam/hot water piping in heating/cooling equipment, replacement of appliance components in kind, self-contained refrigeration units under 10 horsepower
Plumbing: clearing stoppages and stopping leaks in drains/water/gas/waste piping and valves (not requiring replacement or rearrangement of concealed piping)
Electrical: portable motors under 1 horsepower, equipment plugged into approved receptacles, replacing switches and receptacles in kind, minor maintenance and repairs
- Exempt Residential accessory structures under 220 square feet with eaves no higher than 10 feet and not permanently fixed to a foundation (zoning approval may still be required)
- Exempt Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Window awnings on one- and two-family dwellings not extending more than 54 inches from the wall (zoning review still applies)
- Exempt Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
- Exempt Prefabricated swings and playground equipment for one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Short-term tents under 400 square feet (one- and two-family) or under 200 square feet (other uses)
- Exempt Fuel gas: portable fuel-gas appliances, replacement of fuel-gas appliance components in kind, and similar minor maintenance
- Exempt Mechanical: portable heating/cooling/evaporative cooling units, steam/hot water piping in heating/cooling equipment, replacement of appliance components in kind, self-contained refrigeration units under 10 horsepower
- Exempt Plumbing: clearing stoppages and stopping leaks in drains/water/gas/waste piping and valves (not requiring replacement or rearrangement of concealed piping)
- Exempt Electrical: portable motors under 1 horsepower, equipment plugged into approved receptacles, replacing switches and receptacles in kind, minor maintenance and repairs
Note: Exemption from building permit does not exempt work from other town code requirements including zoning, stormwater, Historic District, and Critical Area regulations.
Required documents
- Completed permit application (paper form) with project description, property address, intended use/occupancy, work valuation, contractor information, and applicant signature
- Construction documents as required by the code official for the scope of work
- Special inspections documentation per the Special Inspections Manual for qualifying projects
- Stormwater and erosion/sediment approvals if required
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC); 2021 International Residential Code (IRC); 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC); 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC); 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC); 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC); 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC); 2017 NEC (National Electrical Code); 2017 NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code); 2012 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC); 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC); all effective July 1, 2024 per Maryland state adoption. Town Code Chapter 6 governs local administration of these codes.
- Permit validity
- Permits become invalid if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance. All permits expire 630 days from the date of issuance. Applications that are not pursued or corrected within 180 days are considered abandoned. Renewals and extensions are available by written request with justifiable cause; one-year maximum per renewal.
- Owner-builder
- Applications may be made by the owner or an authorized agent. Maryland owner-builder rules for new construction require that the landowner is building solely for their own use. The town requires contractor information on permit applications, though the contractor field may be noted as TBD before issuance. The Home Builder Guaranty Fund fee applies to new residential construction by licensed home builders.
- Contractor requirements
- Trade permits for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing/fuel gas work each require contractors licensed under applicable Maryland state licensing programs. Maryland MHIC licensing applies for residential home improvement work. The town enforces contractor requirements at the permit application stage. Third-party special inspection agencies must be approved by the code official for projects requiring special inspections.
Source: Town of Easton Building Inspection Division (Code Enforcement Office) ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Decks approximately 3 business days; electrical permits 1 to 2 business days; new residential construction approximately 29 business days; new commercial construction approximately 32 business days. Including required prior approvals (stormwater, Historic District) may add time.
- 01 Review the type of work and confirm whether a permit is required under Town Code Chapter 6 Section 6-3.5 and the applicable exemptions list at Section 6-3.6.
- 02 Download the applicable permit application form from https://www.eastonmd.gov/170/Building-Inspection-Division. Available forms include: Residential Building Application, Commercial Building Application, Electrical Permit Application, Mechanical Permit Application, Plumbing and Fuel Gas Permit Application, Demolition Permit Application, Grading Permit Application, Fences/Swimming Pool/Spas Permit Application, Certificate of Occupancy Update and Signage Application, and Deck Packet (IRC 2021).
- 03 Complete the application with project description, property location, intended use and occupancy, work valuation including labor and materials, signature, and contractor information. The code official sets the final valuation.
- 04 Confirm whether stormwater management or erosion and sediment control approvals are required before the building or grading permit can be issued. Projects disturbing 5,000 sq ft or less may qualify for stormwater exemptions.
- 05 If the property is in the Historic District, confirm whether a certificate of appropriateness or related Historic District approval is required before the building permit is issued.
- 06 Submit the completed application and required documents by hand-delivery to 14 S Harrison Street or by mail to P.O. Box 520, Easton, MD 21601.
- 07 Staff review the application. The code official may examine the site or building before issuance. After review, the permit is issued.
- 08 Pay fees. The fee schedule is adopted by Town Council resolution and is referenced by the Building Inspection Division.
- 09 When each required inspection stage is ready, request inspection at least 24 hours in advance by calling 410-822-2526. Work must remain accessible and exposed until approved.
Typical processing time: Decks approximately 3 business days; electrical permits 1 to 2 business days; new residential construction approximately 29 business days; new commercial construction approximately 32 business days. Including required prior approvals (stormwater, Historic District) may add time.
Source: Town of Easton Building Inspection Division (Code Enforcement Office) ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Easton building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Plan review fees apply; included in fee schedule adopted by Town Council resolution
02
Permit fee formula
Gross area (or gross work area for alterations) x classification of work x square-foot construction costs x 0.008 = permit fee amount. Square-foot construction costs are published in the town's Schedule of Fees and the Square Foot Construction Costs tables.
03
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fees apply. Partial inspections require advance approval and may carry additional inspection fees.
Applicants should contact the Building Inspection Division for the current fee schedule and to confirm the final fee calculation prior to submission.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 410-822-2526 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24 hours in advance. Inspections are performed on the next available business day.
- Inspection hours
- 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays
Typical sequence: Inspections are required at stages directed by the code official based on project scope. Permitted work must remain accessible and exposed for inspection until approved. Neither the town nor the code official is liable for costs of removing or replacing work covered before inspection.
For projects requiring special inspections, the owner or contractor must engage a town-approved special inspection agency per the Special Inspections Manual. MDIA (410-822-8300) is available in Easton but Easton's routine inspections are handled by the town's own building inspectors rather than by MDIA.
Source: Town of Easton Building Inspection Division (Code Enforcement Office) ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Easton permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Easton, MD? ▸
A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of any building or structure, and before installing, enlarging, altering, replacing, or converting electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. Separate permits are required for each trade. Work may not begin before the permit is issued.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Easton, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in Easton, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Gross area (or gross work area for alterations) x classification of work x square-foot construction costs x 0.008 = permit fee amount. Square-foot construction costs are published in the town's Schedule of Fees and the Square Foot Construction Costs tables.. Plan check fee: Plan review fees apply; included in fee schedule adopted by Town Council resolution.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Easton, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Easton, MD, follow these steps: 1. Review the type of work and confirm whether a permit is required under Town Code Chapter 6 Section 6-3.5 and the applicable exemptions list at Section 6-3.6. 2. Download the applicable permit application form from https://www.eastonmd.gov/170/Building-Inspection-Division. Available forms include: Residential Building Application, Commercial Building Application, Electrical Permit Application, Mechanical Permit Application, Plumbing and Fuel Gas Permit Application, Demolition Permit Application, Grading Permit Application, Fences/Swimming Pool/Spas Permit Application, Certificate of Occupancy Update and Signage Application, and Deck Packet (IRC 2021). 3. Complete the application with project description, property location, intended use and occupancy, work valuation including labor and materials, signature, and contractor information. The code official sets the final valuation. 4. Confirm whether stormwater management or erosion and sediment control approvals are required before the building or grading permit can be issued. Projects disturbing 5,000 sq ft or less may qualify for stormwater exemptions. 5. If the property is in the Historic District, confirm whether a certificate of appropriateness or related Historic District approval is required before the building permit is issued. 6. Submit the completed application and required documents by hand-delivery to 14 S Harrison Street or by mail to P.O. Box 520, Easton, MD 21601. 7. Staff review the application. The code official may examine the site or building before issuance. After review, the permit is issued. 8. Pay fees. The fee schedule is adopted by Town Council resolution and is referenced by the Building Inspection Division. 9. When each required inspection stage is ready, request inspection at least 24 hours in advance by calling 410-822-2526. Work must remain accessible and exposed until approved.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Easton, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in Easton, MD typically run Decks approximately 3 business days; electrical permits 1 to 2 business days; new residential construction approximately 29 business days; new commercial construction approximately 32 business days. Including required prior approvals (stormwater, Historic District) may add time.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Easton, MD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Easton, MD. The following work is generally exempt: Residential accessory structures under 220 square feet with eaves no higher than 10 feet and not permanently fixed to a foundation (zoning approval may still be required); Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons; Window awnings on one- and two-family dwellings not extending more than 54 inches from the wall (zoning review still applies); Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high; Prefabricated swings and playground equipment for one- and two-family dwellings; Short-term tents under 400 square feet (one- and two-family) or under 200 square feet (other uses); Fuel gas: portable fuel-gas appliances, replacement of fuel-gas appliance components in kind, and similar minor maintenance; Mechanical: portable heating/cooling/evaporative cooling units, steam/hot water piping in heating/cooling equipment, replacement of appliance components in kind, self-contained refrigeration units under 10 horsepower; Plumbing: clearing stoppages and stopping leaks in drains/water/gas/waste piping and valves (not requiring replacement or rearrangement of concealed piping); Electrical: portable motors under 1 horsepower, equipment plugged into approved receptacles, replacing switches and receptacles in kind, minor maintenance and repairs. Note: Exemption from building permit does not exempt work from other town code requirements including zoning, stormwater, Historic District, and Critical Area regulations. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Easton, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Easton, MD via: 410-822-2526. At least 24 hours in advance. Inspections are performed on the next available business day..
last verified April 2026
source Town of Easton Building Inspection Division (Code Enforcement Office) ↗
entry id permits/maryland/talbot/easton
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Easton Building Inspection Division (Code Enforcement Office) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.