Building Inspections

Staff members in the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits (410-313-1823) ensure compliance with adopted codes. Inspectors examine:

• Accessibility
• Building construction
• Electrical installations
• Fire protection systems
• Gas installations
• Grading
• Licensed liquor establishments
• Mobile home parks
• Plumbing installations
• Rental housing
• Sediment controls
• Signs

Permits Required

To ensure safety, personnel in Inspections, Licenses and Permits (410-313-2455) issue the following permits:

• Building permits
• Electrical permits
• Grading permits
• Plumbing permits
• Sign permits

Use Permits

Department of Planning and Zoning (410-313-2393) employees process use permits for:

• Acceptance of off-site land-clearing debris
• Farm produce stands
• Home-based contractors
• Snowball stands
• Temporary Christmas tree sales
• Temporary field or sales offices
• Temporary land uses for a period not exceeding 60 days
• Temporary mobile homes

Zoning Approval

Call Planning and Zoning (410-313-2393) staff about zoning authorization for:

• Accessory apartments
• Home care assisted living
• Motor Vehicle Administration business operator's licenses
• Traders licenses

Building Complaints

Inspections, Licenses and Permits (410-313-1823) conducts inspections to resolve complaints about:

• Accessibility
• Building construction
• Electrical work
• Fire protection systems
• Grading and sediment control
• Mobile home parks
• Plumbing
• Rental housing
• Signs

Zoning Complaints

Planning and Zoning (410-313-2393) inspects and investigates written complaints regarding compliance with setback, height, use or other zoning and land development regulations.

Adequate Public Facilities

Most new development is subject to Adequate Public Facilities requirements. Tests for the adequacy of schools and roads must be met before Planning and Zoning (410-313-2393) approves subdivisions or site development plans. At the building permit stage, Inspections, Licenses and Permits collects the APF excise tax which is used to fund road improvements.

Agricultural Easements

Agricultural Preservation (410-313-5407) coordinates lot creation for landowners with agricultural easements. The office explains eligibility, works with Planning and Zoning during the subdivision process, and arranges for legal documents with the Office of Law.

Subdivisions

The Department of Planning and Zoning (410-313-2354) administers the subdivision process. After developers submit an application, a review committee recommends action after consulting with other agencies. The county approves the subdivision, denies it, or approves it with modifications.

Accessibility

Disabilities Services (410-313-6402) will review plans for accessibility and provide technical advice.

Building Codes

Inspections, Licenses and Permits (410-313-2436) reviews commercial and residential accessibility, building, electrical, plumbing and sign plans for compliance with adopted codes.

Developers Agreements

The Real Estate Services division of Public Works (410-313-2330) reviews developers agreements.

Fire Code

To ensure compliance with the fire code, Life Safety (410-313-6040) reviews subdivision plans. The bureau provides fire inspectors to enforce fire safety code requirements in coordination with other state agencies.

Historic District Compliance

The Department of Planning and Zoning (410-313-2037) administers the Historic District Commission, which reviews plans that affect the outside of structures and site work in historic districts.

Open Space

The Department of Recreation and Parks (410-313-4724) reviews plans to ensure compliance with open space requirements and protection of sensitive environmental areas.

Subdivision Plan Review

Employees in Planing and Zoning's Development Engineering Division (410-313-2354) review and approve plans submitted by developers for property subdivisions.

Water and Sewer Plans

The bureaus of Utilities (410-313-2040) and Engineering (410-313-2414) review water and sewer plans.

Zoning Compliance

The Department of Planning and Zoning (410-313-2393) reviews building permits to ensure compliance with zoning regulations.

Fire Lanes

Individuals or those in new developments who need information about fire lane designation can call Fire and Rescue's Life Safety Bureau (410-313-6040).

Flood Plains

Consult maps in the Development Engineering Division of the Department of Planning and Zoning for information about flood plains. The division of Watershed Management (410-313-2420) will answer detailed questions.

Zoning Information

For zoning information, call 410-313-2393, write or visit the Planning and Zoning office