Permits, Approvals and Inspections — Building Plans Review
1Use this category to organize the project documents and approvals you may need.
Baltimore County, MD permit planning guide
One countywide building and zoning authority, legally separate from Baltimore City
Local permit requirements are verified for this area.
4
catalog workflows
4
project checks
Best first step
Find the approvals for your parcel, not just a generic form.
Start by confirming whether the parcel is in an unincorporated area and whether county shoreland, sanitary, floodplain, or land-division review applies. A city or village may still administer the building permit.
Prefills Baltimore County, MD Checks authority by address
What are you building?
Choose a common project or enter any description on the next screen.
Key permit triggers
| Project | Permit needed when | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Building Permit | New dwelling, addition, deck, porch, garage, shed, or structural residential alteration. | Baltimore County Permits, Approvals and Inspections |
| Electrical Permit | Project includes wiring, service, panel, solar, generator, or EV-charging work. | Baltimore County PAI Electrical |
| Plumbing / Gas Permit | Project includes plumbing, water, sewer, gas piping, fixtures, kitchen, or bathroom work. | Baltimore County PAI Plumbing and Gas |
| HVACR Permit | Project includes HVACR, heat pump, furnace, air conditioning, duct, or boiler work. | Baltimore County PAI Mechanical |
Triggers reflect county-level baselines. Incorporated cities and villages may set stricter local rules, and no fee or review window is published here because none is held at county level.
How to use this Baltimore County, MD page
Baltimore County has no incorporated municipalities. County Permits, Approvals and Inspections administers building, zoning, electrical, plumbing/gas, and HVACR records countywide. A Baltimore postal address can still be in Baltimore City, so the parcel jurisdiction code—not the mailing city—controls the portal.
- Confirm the parcel jurisdiction code is BACO / Baltimore County; a Baltimore postal city is not proof of City jurisdiction.
- Resolve the current County zoning district from the official PAI GIS layer and review the linked district report.
- Check floodplain, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, historic, environmental, utilities, and road authority before siting work.
- Separate the building record from electrical, plumbing/gas, and HVACR trade records.
- Confirm whether a deck, accessory structure, grading, demolition, use change, or residential alteration needs plans or prerequisite approvals.
A practical Baltimore County, MD sequence
This is a preparation sequence, not a claim that Baltimore County, MD issues every listed approval. Permit Check confirms the issuing authority for the parcel before filing.
- Confirm the legal parcel, County jurisdiction, zoning district, overlays, water/sewer service, and road authority.
- Choose the current record type in Baltimore County Citizen Access and gather the County-required plan set.
- Complete zoning/development review and any environmental or utility prerequisite identified for the site.
- Submit building and trade records, pay current fees, and answer review comments in the portal.
- Schedule required inspections and obtain final approval before occupancy or use.
What this county may handle
These references and project checks help you identify county-level steps before you contact the issuing office. A city, village, town, or state agency may handle other approvals for the same project.
Offices that may be involved
- Baltimore County Permits, Approvals and Inspections: Residential Building Permit
- Baltimore County PAI Electrical: Electrical Permit
- Baltimore County PAI Plumbing and Gas: Plumbing / Gas Permit
- Baltimore County PAI Mechanical: HVACR Permit
What the catalog covers first
4 categoriesUse this index as a preparation checklist before visiting any external form pages.
Permits, Approvals and Inspections — Electrical
1Use this category to organize the project documents and approvals you may need.
Permits, Approvals and Inspections — Mechanical
1Use this category to organize the project documents and approvals you may need.
Permits, Approvals and Inspections — Plumbing and Gas
1Use this category to organize the project documents and approvals you may need.
Baltimore County, MD permit FAQ
What does this Baltimore County, MD County page provide?
Baltimore County has no incorporated municipalities. County Permits, Approvals and Inspections administers building, zoning, electrical, plumbing/gas, and HVACR records countywide. A Baltimore postal address can still be in Baltimore City, so the parcel jurisdiction code—not the mailing city—controls the portal.
How do I avoid sending applications to the wrong office first?
Use the readiness sequence above, then run Permit Check to confirm your parcel's authority mix. That combination is usually the biggest reason applications get delayed. For Baltimore County, MD, the same project can still require more than one office.
How should I use the official sources on this page?
Use them to confirm the current application, office contact, adopted fee schedule, and project-specific instructions before filing or paying a fee.
Next-step resources on GovCodex
Find the right permitting authority
Use parcel-level logic to identify every department your project touches.
Open permit checkDo I need a permit?
Get a practical rule set before filing any forms.
Read guideHow to apply for a permit
Learn the sequence of documents and process checkpoints.
Read guideHow long does a permit take?
Set realistic expectations for review windows.
Read guidePermit type explorer
Cross-check common permit families and filing patterns.
Open explorerOfficial sources
- Baltimore County Permits
- Baltimore County Citizen Access
- Baltimore County Development Management Zoning
- Baltimore County Zoning Regulations Article 1B
- Maryland statewide code source
Confirm the current office instructions, application version, and adopted fee schedule before filing.
Sources last verified 2026-07-20.
The catalog below organizes common county-level workflows. Use Permit Check to confirm which office handles each approval for your property and project.
Preparation library
Browse forms only when you need them
Search by project or approval. Official forms and adaptable state templates are labeled separately.
Showing forms that match your project search.
Residential Building Permit — online intake worksheet
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Electrical Permit — online intake worksheet
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Plumbing / Gas Permit — online intake worksheet
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
HVACR Permit — online intake worksheet
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Related guides
Browse all guides →Get your answer
Skip the directory — check your exact address
Tell GovCodex your project and location. You get the permit list, the offices that issue each approval, and the sources behind them for your parcel.
Example question
Do I need a permit for a 6 ft fence in my back yard?
Height rulesSetbacksFees