Shed Permit in Baltimore County, Maryland
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before building a shed, gazebo or detached garage larger than 120 square feet, and before any accessory structure of any size in a historic district, on the Landmarks List, in the floodplain, or in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.
Issued byBaltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI)
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Baltimore County calls sheds accessory structures and requires a building permit once the floor area exceeds 120 square feet. Any accessory structure, regardless of size, needs a permit if it is in a proposed or designated Baltimore County Historic District, on the Landmarks List, in the floodplain, or in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. Construction plans are required at 1,000 square feet and over, and a Maryland Home Improvement Commission licensed contractor must be used.
Typical threshold: accessory structure floor area.
Who is pulling this permit?
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When a permit is usually needed
Before building a shed, gazebo or detached garage larger than 120 square feet, and before any accessory structure of any size in a historic district, on the Landmarks List, in the floodplain, or in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.
What a shed permit costs in Baltimore County
How Baltimore County compares in Maryland
That is the strictest shed permit threshold among the Maryland jurisdictions we have verified: Howard County allows up to 200.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Countythis page | It depends | accessory structure floor area |
| Howard County | It depends | sheds under 200 sq ft (one-story, non-conditioned, detached) are exempt from a building permit; 200 sq ft or more requires a Miscellaneous Structures building permit |
| Montgomery County | Permit required | Any size |
| Prince George's County | It depends | floor space of a one-story detached accessory structure, and only one such exempt structure is allowed per property |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Maryland
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Baltimore County's 120 sq ft.
- Alameda County, California, Floor area of a one-story detached tool or storage shed accessory to a house, at which the building permit exemption stops
- Aurora, Colorado, shed floor area at which a building permit is required
- Boston, Massachusetts, one-story detached accessory sheds used for tools or storage are exempt if floor area does not exceed 120 sq ft
- Chandler, Arizona, One-story detached accessory structures (storage sheds, open-air ramadas) with floor area of 120 sq ft or less and height of 7 ft or less (up to 9 ft with 2 additional feet of setback per additional foot of height) are exempt if not connected to any electrical, gas, or water utility; exceeding either limit or connecting a utility requires a building permit.
How to apply in Baltimore County
In Baltimore County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.
What most shed permit applications include:
- For Baltimore County, a written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
- For Baltimore County, a scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
- Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
- Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).
General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI) sets the exact checklist for Baltimore County.
Where to apply 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
Shed Permit in Baltimore County compared with nearby Maryland localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Maryland schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore County | It depends | accessory structure floor area | ...Permit Fee Schedule effective 07/01/26: Accessory Structure, Under 1000 sf... | |
| Howard County | It depends | sheds under 200 sq ft (one-story, non-conditioned, detached) are exempt from a building permit; 200 sq ft or more requires a Miscellaneous Structures building permit | $50 per structure for sheds over 200 and up to 400 sq ft (Miscellaneous Structures... | |
| Montgomery County | Permit required | Any size | Priced as an Accessory Building: $136.80 flat for 200 sq ft or less, or $0.8830 per sq... | |
| Prince George's County | It depends | floor space of a one-story detached accessory structure, and only one such exempt structure is allowed per property | DPIE Fee Schedule, effective March 2, 2025, line item "Shed > 150 Sq Ft", $1.17 per SF:... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Baltimore County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
- Foundation or anchor inspection in Baltimore County: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
- Frame inspection in Baltimore County: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
- Final inspection in Baltimore County: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
- In Baltimore County: for a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Baltimore County permit portal or by phone at 410-887-3900.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Shed Permit checklist for Baltimore County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: accessory structure floor area. Usually needed: Before building a shed, gazebo or detached garage larger than 120 square feet, and before any accessory structure of any size in a historic district, on the Landmarks List, in the floodplain, or in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.
- Budget the fee. Building Permit Fee Schedule effective 07/01/26: Accessory Structure, Under 1000 sf, $105.00; Accessory Structure, 1000 sf and over, $160.00, plus the $75.00 residential permit application fee. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Baltimore County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the Baltimore County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI). Phone: 410-887-3900. Address: County Office Building, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, Maryland 21204.
- Plan for inspections. In Baltimore County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Baltimore County?
- Baltimore County calls sheds accessory structures and requires a building permit once the floor area exceeds 120 square feet. Any accessory structure, regardless of size, needs a permit if it is in a proposed or designated Baltimore County Historic District, on the Landmarks List, in the floodplain, or in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. Construction plans are required at 1,000 square feet and over, and a Maryland Home Improvement Commission licensed contractor must be used. Accessory structure floor area. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Baltimore County?
- Building Permit Fee Schedule effective 07/01/26: Accessory Structure, Under 1000 sf, $105.00; Accessory Structure, 1000 sf and over, $160.00, plus the $75.00 residential permit application fee. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Baltimore County?
- You can apply through the Baltimore County permit portal or contact the Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI) directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Baltimore County?
- Under Maryland law (Md. Code, Bus. Occ. and Prof. 12-301(b), 6-607(1); Public Safety 12-505): It depends on the trade and the county. Plumbing: state law exempts an individual who personally provides plumbing services in their own residence, but homeowners may not make final connections between the residence and public or private water supply or disposal systems, and Baltimore County plus the WSSC-area counties are largely carved out of the state plumbing title. Electrical: the Maryland Electricians Act prohibits providing electrical services for compensation without a license; it has no express homeowner exemption, so uncompensated work on one's own home falls outside the licensing prohibition, but each county decides whether it will issue an electrical permit to an unlicensed homeowner. Building permits are issued by local jurisdictions, which set their own owner-applicant rules. Confirm how Baltimore County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Baltimore County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| 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... |
| 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... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...07/01/26: Solar Power System, Residential (Roof and Ground Mounted) $100.00, plus... |
Shed Permit in other Maryland localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Baltimore County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
- IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC
- IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC
How this shed permit page for Baltimore County was verified. 2 official sources: baltimorecountymd.gov, baltimorecountymd.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
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