WALK THROUGH BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS

The residential walk through building permit process applies to miscellaneous residential permits including garages and additions less than 600 square feet in area. This procedure will allow the same day issuance of building permits in this category only. NOTE: Effective October 1, 2004, properties served by well and septic require prior approval by the Environmental Health Department before starting the walk through process.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

Homeowners/contractors/owner's agent

WHEN ARE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED

Wednesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 P.M.

All applications must be made in person

WHERE DO YOU APPLY

Front Counter
Licenses and Permits Division
George Howard Building
3430 Courthouse Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043

410-313-2455

WHAT IS REQUIRED

• Prior approval by Environmental Health 410-313-1771 (only if on well or septic.) The Bureau of Environmental Health is located at 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD.
• A completed building permit application
• Minimal construction drawings for garages, sheds and additions greater than 200 sq feet but less than 600 sq feet. (Plans must have elevations of all sides showing all windows and doors plus a floor plan with dimensions)
• 4 copies of plot plans drawn to scale (plot plans are not required for interior work)
• Payment of fees payable to the Director of Finance

WHAT ARE TYPICAL MISCELLANEOUS RESIDENTIAL PERMITS

• arbor over 200 sq ft
• above ground swimming pool (includes fence)
• chimney
• deck
• demolition
• detached kiosk over 200 sq ft
• fences over 6 feet high (less than 6 feet subject to zoning regulations)
• fireplace
• gazebo over 200 sq ft
• hot tubs (framing plans required)
• playhouse over 200 sq ft
• pagoda over 200 sq ft
• shed over 200 square feet (minimal construction drawings required)
• solar collector (roof or ground mounted)
• tower
• woodstoves
• stick antenna over 12 feet
• dish antenna over 3 feet in diameter
• inground swimming pool (includes fence)

The permit fee for an inground swimming pool is $250 plus $25 for the technology fee for a total of $275. The fee for an above ground swimming pool is $100 plus $10 for the technology fee for a total of $110. All others are $50 per structure plus $5 for the technology fee for a total of $55.

WHAT ARE TYPICAL ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS

• garages
• carports
• screened porches
• additions under 600 square feet (additions over 1 story not accepted during walk through process)

There is a $25 non refundable filing fee. The permit fee is based on $0.18 per square foot plus the technology fee which is 10% of the permit fee. The excise tax is calculated at $0.90 per square foot (effective July 1, 2008) and the school surcharge is calculated at $1.14 per square foot (effective July 1, 2008). The excise tax and school facilities surcharge apply to new or added areas only.

Example-1000 sq ft addition

$25-non refundable filing fee

$180-permit fee ($0.18 x 1000)

$18-technology fee ($180 x 10%)

$1,140-school surcharge ($1.14 x 1000)

$900-excise tax ($0.90 x 1000)

WHAT ARE TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS

• finished basements (floor plan required)
• interior alterations

There is a $25 non refundable filing fee. The permit fee is based on the square footage of the alteration. The technology fee is 10% of the permit fee. Permit fees are as follows:

Single small room (100 sq ft or less) $25

Single floor (over 100 sq ft up to 600 sq ft) $50

More than single floor (over 600 sq ft) $100

REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR PLOT PLANS

• Street address and name of abutting street
• Property lines and lot dimensions
• Lot/Parcel number and square footage
• Building restriction lines (setback) and easement lines
• Show existing improvements (footprint), distances to property lines and dimensions or square footage
• Show proposed improvements, distances to property lines and dimensions
• Driveway or access
• Subdivision name, section and area

Click here to view a Sample Plot Plan