Permit records
Howard County permit search
Howard County permit records are public. The county publishes them through Accela Citizen Access, and searching does not require an account.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 13 official sources
- Project types verified
- 13
- in Howard County
- Search verified
- 8 Aug 2026
- we opened it ourselves
Search Howard County permit records
The search accepts address, permit number, contractor name, or owner name.
Open the Howard County record searchApplying rather than searching? Use the Howard County permit portal
We opened this address ourselves on . Official government links only, and we check them on a schedule.
How to search
- Open the Howard County permit record search.
- Enter an address, or switch the search type to look up permits by permit number, contractor name, or owner name.
- Open a result to see the permit's status, inspection history, and issue date.
If the permit does not turn up
Older permits are often missing from online records, and a permit filed under a contractor's name will not surface in an address search that expects the owner. Howard County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits can check the paper file.
- 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043
- Phone: 410-313-2455
- Email: buildingtech@howardcountymd.gov
- Official permit page
- Official fee schedule
What needs a permit in Howard County
Every project type we have verified in Howard County, with the rule, the threshold, and the fee that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Set locally | Interior alterations to a single family home need a $25 filing fee plus $50 for an area... |
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Any size | $50 per structure (Miscellaneous Structures Accessory permit, FY2027 Building Permit Fee... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Any size | $50 non-refundable permit application fee, plus $50 for 25 or fewer outlets/fixtures... |
| EV Charger Permit | It depends | Permit requirements are set by the county, but the work is regulated statewide: every... | Not itemized by name |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fences 7 ft or under, not enclosing a pool, are exempt from a building permit; over 7 ft or enclosing a pool requires a Miscellaneous Structures building permit | $50 per structure for fences over 7 feet high or enclosing a pool (Miscellaneous... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | For new HVAC installations, fuel or energy source conversions, additions or alterations... | $50 non-refundable application fee |
| Patio Permit | No permit needed | Exempt | ...per the county's residential permit handout, needing no filing fee and a flat $50... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | $50 non-refundable filing fee (other than Express Plumbing Permit) |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Any size | $100 for above-ground pools |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | roof covering replacement with no other structural repairs is exempt, including up to 64 sq ft of roof sheathing; replacing more sheathing or any other structural repair requires a building permit | Not published |
| Shed Permit | 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... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | $50 per structure for a residential roof- or ground-mounted solar collector... |
| Water Heater Permit | It depends | It depends on the county | Water heater replacement bills as the $50 plumbing filing fee plus the $25... |