Baltimore County Electrical Inspections
Vince Metallo, Code Enforcement Officer III
County Office Building
Room G21
111 West Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
410-887-3960
Fax: 410-887-8081
vcmetallo@baltimorecountymd.gov
- 2008 NEC - Effective September 1, 2008 (PDF)
- Carbon Monoxide Alarms Required (PDF)
- Fire Alarm Installations** (PDF)
Primary Functions | Inspection Procedure | Electrical Licensing | Important Notices |
District Inspection Map | Current and Local Codes | Forms / Applications / Information |
Electrical Inspections FAQ | Inspection Connection | Plumbing Inspections | Licensed Contractors
Electrical Inspections Primary Functions
- inspect work performed by licensed contractors to ensure conformity with all current electrical codes
- investigate electrical complaints
- interact with contractors, engineers and property owners and answer code compliance questions
- issuance of electrical licenses
- administer electrical testing for licensing new applicants in compliance with the Baltimore County Code Regulations.
- All types of electrical installations, including low voltage wiring, are required to be installed by a contractor licensed in Baltimore County.
- Permits are not required for ordinary maintenance of existing electrical systems
- Proper permits must be obtained prior to the commencement of any work.
- Electrical permits are required for all new installations.
Electrical Inspection Fee Schedule (PDF)
Electrical permit applications (PDF) may be downloaded, filled in, and printed for processing in person or by mail, and /or obtained and processed by visiting:
Room 100, Permit Processing
County Office Building
111 West Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204
410-887-3900
- Additional information required for permit application: building permit number for residential or commercial building's Use & Occupancy. Check with your builder for the correct building permit number.
BGE Meter Releases (PDF) - Review this important information to expedite meter releases.
Inspection Connection - Schedule an inspection. (The following information must be provided to schedule an inspection)
- permit number
- type of inspection necessary
All electrical installations should be inspected.
- Inspection requests can also be scheduled with the secretary between 8 a.m. and 3:25 p.m. by calling 410-887-3960.
- All appointments must be scheduled directly with the district inspector. Inspectors are in the office Monday through Friday between 7:30 - 8 a.m. and between 3 - 3:30 p.m.
Electrical Inspectors' District Map (PDF)
For information / questions regarding permit fees or inspections and code regulations, contact: Vince Metallo at 410-887-3960.
Please direct questions regarding licensing, license renewal and reciprocal letters to the Electrical Administrative Board at 410-887-3636. No inspections are to be called in at this number.
Licenses will expire on June 30, 2010.
Active License holders reciprocating to another county from Baltimore County will need:
- $20 fee each
- reciprocal letter
- license number
- license holder name
- name of the county you are reciprocating to
Exam Information - Examinations are based on the 2005 National Electric Code.
Fee: $15
Test Location: Room G21, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MDMaster General License | Master Limited License | Restricted License | Electrical License Application (PDF) |
Examination Application (PDF) | Maryland Licensed Electricians
Authorizes the holder thereof to install, repair, maintain or erect any kind of electrical wiring, conduits, machinery, appliances, motors, fixtures, signs, electrically operated heating equipment, elevators, or any other electrical apparatus of device in or about any premises in Baltimore County.
- Examination - Master General License
March and September (only)
4 hours
Open Book
Master Limited License - Limits license holder to represent and perform work in one industrial type building in Baltimore County (no work for the public at all).
Authorizes the holder thereof to install, maintain and repair or erect any kind of electrical wiring, conduits, machinery, appliances, motors, fixtures, signs, electrically operated heating equipment, elevators, or any other electrical apparatus or device but only on the premises of his employer in Baltimore County (no work for the public at all).
- Examination - Master Limited License
March and September (only)
2 hours
Restricted License - Separate examinations given for specialties listed below
Authorizes the holder thereof to install, maintain, and repair and, except with respect to electrical household appliances, radio and television sets, to make installation of electrical wiring from the point of distribution to the equipment being installed in or about any premises in Baltimore County. The following table lists the types of electrical equipment for which a restricted license is required:
| RA - Radio, TV, Cable TV | RE - Elevators | RK - Intercom, Communication Equipment, Sound Systems |
| RB - Antennas | RF - Low Voltage Alarm and Signal Systems | RL - Water Pumps |
| RC - Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning | RG - Signs | RM- TV Electronic Surveillance Systems |
| RD - Appliances, Tool, and Motor Repairs | RH - Installation and Maintenance of Traffic Equipment | RN - X-Ray Equipment |
- Examination - Restricted Tests
Low Voltage & Intercom Communications
RF & RK (Only) - Open Book
Monthly
3 hours
All other Restricted Test
Monthly
2 hours
All permits issued after September 1, 2008 will follow the 2008 N.E.C. regardless of when the permit is mailed or applied for. Review some important changes.(PDF)
The following codes are PDF documents and will open in a new window.
- Baltimore County Building Code (PDF)
- Baltimore County Electrical Color Code (PDF)
- Baltimore County Local Electric Code Amendments (PDF)
- 2005 National Electrical Codes Update (PDF) - Informational only
- 2008 National Electrical Codes Updates (PDF)
Revised January 8, 2010
Courthouse 