A building permit is required for construction of any new residential dwelling. Residential structures with shared common spaces (i.e. condos, apartments, high/mid-rises) are processed as commercial new structure or shell permits.
A separate permit is required for electrical and plumbing work. As of October 1, 2023, all new single-family detached houses and duplexes (and some townhomes) that include a garage, driveway, or carport, must have one electric vehicle (EV) supply equipment or one EV-ready parking space. See Maryland Public Safety Code Annotated Section 12-205. When electrical applications are submitted for wiring of new housing units, you must include the EV wiring as a part of the application or provide documentation that the new housing unit is exempt from the requirement.
If the homeowner is not the contractor, the contractor must have a valid Maryland Home Builders Registration number (MHBR).
Required Documents
You must provide the following when submitting your permit application.
- Construction Plans—Signed and sealed by a design professional licensed by the State of Maryland; required for submitted plans meeting the following design:
- Construction that exceeds 3,000sf gross floor area, excluding a garage that does not have a room above it.
- Construction that utilizes steel framing.
- Permanent plans regardless of size.
- Plan review of all floors, cross section and exterior elevations: front, left side, right side and rear view. View an example plan review.
- Foundation grade and species of lumber and R factors, all to preferred 1/4-inch architectural scale
- Site Plans— Signed and sealed by a design professional licensed by the State of Maryland. Plans will only be accepted from a Professional Engineer, Landscape Architect or Registered Land Surveyor
- At a minimum of one inch equals 60 feet using an engineer's scale
- If property is served by a well and septic system, a site plan must be provided that complies with the Ground Water Site Plan Requirements.
- Sediment Control Standard Plans—Used in lieu of engineered Sediment and Erosion Control Plans, approved by the Baltimore County Soil Conservation District for the following sites :
- Individual lot single-family dwelling with a limit of disturbance of less than 30,000 square feet.
- Commercial sites with a limit of disturbance of less than 20,000 square feet.
- If dwelling is being constructed by homeowner—Affirmation of Landowner
- If property is located in the 3.3-mile radius of the Martin State Airport (MTN)—Airport Zoning Permit.
- If in a flood plain—Elevation Certificate for Final Construction. Use the Permit Review Tool to determine if the property is in a flood zone.
- If the property uses well or septic water, review the Building with Well and Septic booklet for guidance and requirements.
- Elevation Plans—For the Department of Planning (if applicable)
About the Application Process
To learn more about the application process, read the steps and watch the videos below, or view the FAQ or full tutorial video playlist.
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Watch a video to learn how to create your account or follow the instructions below:
- Navigate to the online portal.
- Select the Create Account button.
- Enter your email address, select Submit.
- An email will be sent with a link to complete the account setup. (Note: If you don't see the email is not in your inbox, check the SPAM folder. If in SPAM, mark unread before selecting the link.)
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Prepare/gather all required documents as indicated above to upload when completing your online application. Be sure to name the documents appropriately—file names must follow Baltimore County naming conventions.
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Watch a video to learn how to create your application or follow the instructions below:
- Enter the applicant and owner information.
- Select the property address and enter the contractor information.
- In the Search and Add Contractors section, enter the contractor name in the search box.
- Select the contractor. The system will highlight the selected contractor in red.
- Select the Add button to select the contractor. The contractor will be listed in the Selected Contractors section.
- Describe proposed work.
- Answer all required questions and enter all information related to the project.
- Upload required documents.
- After accepting the Terms and Conditions, the Document Upload window opens.
- On the Plan Documents tab, scroll down and select the Browse button to select your files.
- Highlight the files to be added, select Open. The files are added to the Upload Documents window.
- For each file, select a discipline from the dropdown list to describe your uploaded document type.
- Select the Upload button.
- A disclaimer pop-up appears. Approve the disclaimer by selecting the Yes button.
- Select the Submit for Review button.
- When all files have been submitted, close out the Document Upload window.
- Submit the application.
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- Applications will be reviewed by the Permit Processing Staff. Watch a video to learn about the application review and revisions process. Staff may leave comments and revisions required for your permit. To view comments, follow the below instructions:
- Navigate to the online portal.
- Locate the permit on the My Dashboard page.
- Select the expand icon next to the permit. Select the Action (magnifying glass) icon, which opens the Permit Application Info page. There are two ways to view comments and revisions required for your permit:
- From the Plan Review section:
- Select the Open Plan Review button.
- From the Upload Documents screen, select the Review Documents tab
- Download the documents for review. Review the comments and feedback letter, documenting the required updates. Review the markups of submitted plans and documents.
- From the Tasks section:
- Scroll to the Tasks section. If there are comments for review, you will see an Action (magnifying glass) icon in the Comments field to the right of the task’s Date Completed field.
- Select the magnifying glass to see the comments.
- From the Plan Review section:
- If all required information and documents are submitted, the application will be completed and application fees will be calculated.
- Applicants will receive a notification that the fees are ready for payment. Watch a video to learn how to pay application fees or follow the instructions below:
- Navigate to the online portal. The My Dashboard page displays.
- Select the Applications with Fees Due box at the top-middle of the My Dashboard window.
- Scroll to the My Fees section, find the permit number and scroll to the right to the Actions section. You will see a magnifying glass icon and a credit card icon.
- To view details for the fees, select the magnifying glass icon.
- To pay the fees, select the credit card icon. (Note: Baltimore County only accepts Mastercard, Visa and PayPal electronic payments.)
- Once payment is received, the application will be sent to all reviewing departments for technical review. Watch a video to learn about the review and revision process.
- Once the reviews are completed and approved, the permit will be issued.
- Applications will be reviewed by the Permit Processing Staff. Watch a video to learn about the application review and revisions process. Staff may leave comments and revisions required for your permit. To view comments, follow the below instructions:
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Once the permit has been issued, the applicant will be notified via email. Watch a video to learn how to access the permit and approved plans in the applicant portal. Permits and approved plans must be available at the job site for inspections.
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All construction must be completed exactly as stated on the approved permit and approved construction plans. Watch a video to learn how to schedule inspections through the applicant portal.
Requirements for Final Inspection
The following has to be completed to receive a final inspection for a new residence (single-family dwelling):
- A positive grade away from the house foundation downspouts
- Gutters and splash blocks in place
- All necessary guard details and railings
- Electrical and plumbing work completed
- A finished kitchen and bath.
Apply for a Permit
Once you have reviewed the process outlined above and have gathered your required documentation, apply for your permit online using the buttons below.