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Residential Home Improvement Permits

Building permits are required for most residential construction and home improvement projects.  This is to insure public safety and property standards as well as compliance with the Land Development Code (LDC). Contractors and home owners are required by law to obtain any required permits before any work begins. Typical projects requiring permits are:

  • Home additions
  • Finishing basements
  • Interior construction
  • Garages, both attached and detached
  • Fences and walls
  • Sheds and storage buildings
  • Patios, decks and porches
  • Driveways and paving
  • General electrical work

 

Permit applications are reviewed for zoning and building code compliance.  This process takes a minimum of ten (10) business days.  Some permits - such as those for homes located in the Historic District - can take longer.

All permits expire six (6) months after the date of issue. Failure to start the work authorized by a permit within this six month period renders the permit invalid and a new permit must be obtained. Once work begins, noticeable progress must continue until completion.  All work must be complete within eighteen (18) months of the permit issue date, regardless of when work begins.

Permit application fees are due at the time of submission. No permit will be reviewed without the fees being paid. Permit applications must be submitted by the property owner or with the property owner's acknowledgement and permission in writing.

All permit applications must be submitted with the appropriate supporting documents. Applications submitted without such documents will not be reviewed until supporting documentation is provided. The specific supporting documentation for a given permit varies; however, most require site and building plans.  These plans must be properly scaled and in some cases sealed by an engineer, architect, surveyor, or other licensed professional.  A listing of permits applications, required documents, and other relevant information is below. 

Residential Additions

Fee: $40.00 + (construction cost x .0075) + City Impact Fee
Documents: Building Permit Application; Site Plans, existing and proposed (3 copies); Building Plans (3 copies); Electrical Plan Review Form; Electrical Permit Application; Life Safety Review/Sprinkler Permit Application; Mechanical Permit Application

Information: Plans for additions of two-stories or more must be architect or engineer sealed.  Mechanical Permit application is only required if new HVAC units are being installed.  Life Safety Review/Sprinkler Permit application is only required for sprinklered homes. However,  If the square footage of the addition increases the gross square footage of the existing home, exluding garages and crawlspaces or if the cost of the addition excceds 50% of the assessed value as shown on the most recent tax assessment for the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the building, a sprinkler system is required.  Additions must meet all setback and lot coverage requirements based on the property's zoning. If the addition increases the gross floor area of the residence by 50% or more, a Special Exception from the Board of Appeals is required.

 

Basement Finishing

Fee: $125

Documents: Interior Building Permit Application; Building Plans (3 copies); Life Safety Review/Sprinkler Permit; Electrical Permit Application

Information: Life Safety Review/Sprinkler Permit application is only required for sprinklered homes.  Converting a basement into a separate, rentable dwelling unit is not permitted in most residential zones.

 

 

Interior Renovations

Fee: $40.00 + (construction cost x .0075)
Documents: Interior Building Permit Application; Building Plans (3 copies)

Information:Creating a seperate, rentable dwelling unit within an existing single-family dwelling is not permitted in most residential zones.

 

 

Garages

Fee: $100.00
Documents: Building Permit Application; Site Plan (3 copies); Framing Plan (3 copies)

Information: Site plan must show the proposed garage location on the lot including dimensions and distance from the main house and property line setbacks.  Framing plans are only required if the garage is stick built/constructed onsite. See Section 20-6.23 of the City Land Development Code for lot coverage and setbacks.

 

 

Fences

Fee: $50.00
Documents: Fence Permit Application; Site Plan (3 copies)

Information: Site plan must show the proposed fence location.  Maximum fence height is 6 1/2 ft. in rear orside yards and 3 1/2 ft. in front yards (3 ft. for corner lots). Fences can be placed up to, but not beyond, the property line.

 

 

Walls

Fee: $40.00 + (construction cost x .0075)
Documents: Building Permit Application; Site Plan (3 copies)

Information: Walls less than 2 ft. high do not require a permit. Site plan must show the proposed wall location.  Maximum height is 6 1/2 ft. in rear or side yards and 3 1/2 ft. in front yards (3 ft. for corner lots).  Walls can be placed up to, but not beyond, the property line.

 

 

Sheds

Fee: $50.00
Documents: Shed Permit Application; Site Plan (3 copies); Framing Plan (3 copies)

Information: Site plan must show the location of the proposed shed including shed dimensions and distance from the main house and property lines. Framing plans are only required if the shed is stick built/constructed onsite.  See Section 20-6.23 of the City Land Development Code for lot coverage and setbacks.

 

 

Fireplaces

Fee: $50.00
Documents: Building Permit Application

Information: Chimneys must be 6 ft. or less in width and cannot extend more than 18 inches into any minimum yard setback.

 

 

Porches

Fee: $60.00 for porches 500 sq. ft. or less; $125.00 for porches more than 500 sq. ft.
Documents: Porch Permit Application; Site Plan (3 copies); Framing Plan (3 copies)

Information: Site plan must show porch with dimensions and extension from house. Porches cannot extend more than 9 ft. into a minimum front yard setback.

 

 

Decks and Patios

Fee: $100.00for decks/patios 500 sq. ft. or less; $150.00for decks/patios more than 500 sq. ft.
Documents: Deck/Patio Permit Application; Site Plan (3 copies); Framing Plan (3 copies)

Information: Site plans must show the location of the proposed deck or patio including dimensions and distance to property lines. Framing plans are only required for decks. Decks floors must be at least 12 inches above grade.  Footings must be at least 30 inches deep.  Decks must be at least 3 ft. from any side or rear property line.  Decks cannot be enclosed by a roof and/or walls nor can the area beneath a deck be enclosed.  Maximum deck size in sq. ft. is based on zoning district and house type.  Decks and patios cannot violate the minimum green space requirement for a lot.

 

 

Driveways

Fee (Paving): $50.00
Fee (Right-of-Way): $25.00 + (curb/apron construction cost x .075) 
Documents: Driveway Paving Permit Application; Right-of-Way Permit Application; Site Plan (3 copies)

Information: Site plan must show the location of proposed driveway. Right-of-way permit application is only required if driveway requires a curb cut or other work in the public right-of-way. Driveways must be at least 10 ft. wide and must be at least 1 ft. from any side or rear property line. Paved parking areas in front yards cannot excced 20% of the front yard. Driveways and parking areas cannot violate minimum green space requirements for a lot. Gravel and/or loose stones are not acceptable "paving" materials.

 

 

Walkways and Sidewalk Paving

Fee: $50.00
Documents: Residential Paving Permit Application; Site Plan (3 copies)

Information: Site plan must show the location of the proposed walkway or sidewalk. Walkways and sidewalks DO NOT count against lot green space required minimums.

 

 

Roof Sheeting Replacement (townhouses only)

Fee: $55.00
Documents: Roof Replacement Permit Application

Information: Fire resistant treated materials must be used in replacement sheeting

 

 

Demolition - Residential

Fee: $150.00
Documents: Demolition Permit Application; Utility Cut-off Letters (see below); Demolition Plan (3 copies)

Information: All demolition permit applications MUST be accompanied by cut-off letters from all major utilities.  These include, but are not limited to, the following: BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric), WSSC (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission), Comcast telephone and/or cable, and Verizon telephone and/or cable.

 

 

Pools (including Hot Tubs and Spas)

Fee: $50.00 for above-ground; $200 for in-ground
Documents: Pool Permit Application; Site Plan (3 copies)

Information: Site plan must show proposed pool location including dimensions. All pools must be enclosed by a fence or wall at least 6 ft. in height.  Pools must meet all side yard setbacks and must be at least 8 ft. from any rear property line.

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