Building permits in Baltimore County, Maryland
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in Baltimore County, 2 need a permit outright and 7 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in Baltimore County
Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI)
- County Office Building, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, Maryland 21204
- Phone: 410-887-3900
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in Baltimore County
Baltimore County permit records are public, and you can check a property's permit history by address or permit number online.
What needs a permit in Baltimore County
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in Baltimore County, 2 need a permit outright and 7 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | deck floor area, with a permit also required for any deck more than 16 inches above the lowest grade | Building Permit Fee Schedule effective 07/01/26: Decks (Open Deck) (under 600 sf) $105.00 |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Before any electrical work, including extending circuit wiring, low voltage wiring, and... | ...(each meter), new, modification, upgrade, replacement or reconnection... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fence height measured vertical to ground, including a fence set on top of a wall | Building Permit Fee Schedule effective 07/01/26 lists Fences, Residential: $35.00 +... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | Before installing ductwork in a dwelling that has none or adding ductwork not covered by... | ...07/01/26 prices Mechanical, HVAC System Only for commercial work only ($100.00... |
| Patio Permit | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not published |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...Inspection Fee Schedule effective 11/26/18: Inspection, New, for 1st fixture $30.00... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | above-ground pool surface area, where the water depth is 24 inches or more; in-ground pools require a permit at any size | ...Fee Schedule effective 07/01/26: Swimming Pool, Residential, Above Ground... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | share of the sheathing or deck being replaced in a roofing job | ...alteration: Additions/Alterations under 600 sf without structural changes $105.00... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | accessory structure floor area | ...Permit Fee Schedule effective 07/01/26: Accessory Structure, Under 1000 sf... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...07/01/26: Solar Power System, Residential (Roof and Ground Mounted) $100.00, plus... |
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Baltimore County permit fees compared with nearby Maryland localities
| Maryland locality | Deck Permit | HVAC Permit | Electrical Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore County | ...07/01/26: Decks (Open Deck) (under 600 sf)... | ...HVAC System Only for commercial work only ($100.00... | ...upgrade, replacement or reconnection... |
| Howard County | $50 per structure (Miscellaneous Structures Accessory... | $50 non-refundable application fee | $50 non-refundable permit application fee, plus $50 for 25... |
| Montgomery County | $223.87 flat for an open unenclosed deck 500 sq ft or... | Mechanical Permit minimum fee $80.84 for a residential one... | $111.94 minimum fee for a residential one or two family... |
| Prince George's County | ...item "Deck or Pergola", minimum permit fee $151.00:... | ...- Commercial/Residential", minimum permit fee $86:... | ...Permit Fee - Rough Wire Outlet, Segment of 15"... |
Each cell is the opening clause of that Maryland jurisdiction's own fee schedule; the full wording and source sit on each permit page.
Baltimore County penalty for work started without a permit
Baltimore County publishes what it charges when work begins before the permit, quoted here from the schedule or permit page we verified.
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Only a licensed electrical contractor registered with Baltimore County can apply, and working without a permit carries a $1,000 civil penalty.
Baltimore County electrical permit page · last checked
The Maryland statute, the after-the-fact permit path and who may pull the permit: building without a permit in Maryland.
Baltimore County permit questions, answered from the data
- Do you need a permit in Baltimore County?
- For most projects, yes. Of the 10 permit types we have verified for Baltimore County, 2 always require a permit (for example a plumbing permit), 7 depend on size or scope (a deck permit, for instance). Each Baltimore County permit type's page states the exact rule and its source.
- How much does a permit cost in Baltimore County?
- Baltimore County publishes a fee for 9 of the 10 permit types we cover, each quoted on its page from the jurisdiction's own schedule (linked on every page that carries one). Fees are set by Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI); we do not estimate or mark them up.
- Where do you apply for a permit in Baltimore County?
- Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI) issues permits in Baltimore County, with an online portal for applications, plan uploads and status checks, and takes questions at 410-887-3900. The Baltimore County official page and portal are linked in the office section above.
- What is the penalty for building without a permit in Baltimore County?
- Baltimore County publishes its own charge for work started before the permit: Only a licensed electrical contractor registered with Baltimore County can apply, and working without a permit carries a $1,000 civil penalty. That is the local bill; the Maryland statute, the after-the-fact permit path and who may pull the permit are on the Maryland building-without-a-permit page.
How the Baltimore County pages were verified. 10 permit types, 10 distinct official sources, most recently checked . Every rule is read from Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI) or the applicable code and cited on its page; anything we could not confirm for Baltimore County is marked rather than estimated. How we verify.