Permit Information - Construction

Construction

Construction permits cover constructing buildings and accessory structures, interior or exterior alterations, and underpinning projects. These permits are divided into three categories, please select the one that best matches your work:

• New Construction / Additions 

• Interior and Exterior Alterations

• Underpinning

New Construction / Additions

The requirements and documents for a new construction or addition permit depend on whether the property is residential or commercial. For residential new constructions and additions, the size also affects what is needed for your permit.

Residential

New Construction or Additions under 600 square feet

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Residential: New construction/addition < 600 sq ft (drawings to scale required) Documents Required Site plan, floor plans, foundation plan, roof plan, elevations, cross-sections Fire rating details if party wall construction All other construction-related details Required drawings made to scale by work  Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals For buildings over 3 stories and more than 5 units, complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Rooftop deck guidelines Deck and balcony construction details example Examples of drawings: site plan, first floor, second floor, cross-section, elevation plan, and ground floor demolition plan Step-by-step video tutorial (starts at 26 min 50 secs) for instructions on completing your ePermit application Download the step-by-step tutorial for completing your application

New construction or additions over 600 square feet

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Permit requiring plans review in the ePlans process Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals For buildings over 3 stories and more than 5 units, complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Deck and balcony construction details example Permits that require ePlans submission Review the Baltimore City site plan review manual Download the step-by-step tutorial for completing your application

Non-Residential / Commercial

Construction and Additions of Non-Residential / Commercial properties

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Permit requiring plans review in the ePlans process Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals Complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Permits that require ePlans submission Deck and balcony construction details example Review the Baltimore City site plan review manual Step-by-step tutorial PDF for completing your application

Interior and Exterior Alterations

Requirements and documents for interior and exterior alteration permits depend on whether the property is residential or commercial, and on the extent of the alteration.

Residential

Minor interior/exterior alterations and interior demolition. Replacing elements of the same size and location

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Residential: Minor interior/interior demo / exterior alterations (drawings NOT required) Need contractor information: If removing up to 1/3 of structural elements on any level (interior demolition category III): contractor’s name and registered license Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals For buildings over 3 stories and more than 5 units,  complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Interior demolition guidelines  Example of an interior demolition plan Step-by-step video tutorial (starts at 03 min 32 secs) for instructions on completing your ePermit application

Adding or expanding interior/exterior elements and interior demolition

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Residential: Interior/exterior alterations (or demolition) (drawings to scale may be required) Documents required for: Structural alterations: floor plan, how supporting floor on cross-section, and all other construction-related details Non-structural alterations: existing and proposed floor plans, partition walls, and all other construction-related details Gut Rehab: floor plans, cross-section, and all other construction-related details Required drawings made to scale by work Need contractor information: If removing up to 1/3 of structural elements on any level (interior demolition category III): contractor’s name and registered license Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals For buildings over 3 stories and more than 5 units, complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Interior demolition guidelines  Example of an interior demolition plan Step-by-step video tutorial (starts at 16 min 52 secs) for instructions on completing your ePermit application

Work in residential properties involving: Antennas on Roof or existing Towers Awnings and Canopies With Post Support Cell Towers, Equipment Cabinets, Antennas NEW Signs, Free Standing > 6 ft Swimming Pool - 1 & 2 Family Dwelling Inground Swimming Pool - 1 & 2 Family Dwellings Above Ground >24" deep

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Permit requiring plans review in the ePlans process Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals Complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Permits that require ePlans submission Download the step-by-step tutorial  for completing your application

Non-Residential / Commercial

Interior non-structural alterations or interior demolitions under 200 square feet

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Non-Residential: Interior non-structural alterations (or demolition) < 200 sq ft (drawings to scale may be required) Need contractor information: If removing up to 1/3 of structural elements on any level (interior demolition category III): contractor’s name and registered license Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals Complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Interior demolition guidelines  Example of an interior demolition plan Step-by-step video tutorial (starts at 40 min 41 secs) for instructions on completing your ePermit application Download the step-by-step tutorial  for instructions on completing your application

Exterior alterations under 200 square feet

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Non-Residential: Exterior work (drawings to scale required) Documents required for: Awnings/canopies without post support: site plan, front elevation, side elevation, and all other construction-related details Wall mounted sign: attachment detail, sign layout, plan view (building and sign location on building), site plan if projected from wall or in right-of-way, and all other construction related details Free standing sign < 6 ft.: site plan, elevation, and all other construction related details Tanks new <600 gallons: site plan and all other construction related details Tanks – removing, filling, and backfilling: site plan and all other construction related details Elevator/escalator: all other construction related details Temporary Trailers: site plan, model number and State certification number, floor plan, foundation/tie down details, and stair/ramp details Required drawings made to scale by work Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals Complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Step-by-step video tutorial (starts at 34 min 08 secs) for instructions on completing your ePermit application Download the step-by-step tutorial  for instructions on completing your application.

Work in commercial properties involving: Interior and Exterior Alterations, including structural demolitions, over 200 square feet Antennas on Roof or existing Towers Awnings and Canopies With Post Support Cell Towers, Equipment Cabinets, Antennas NEW Grading or Paving for commercial properties Fence for commercial properties Ramps for commercial properties Retaining Walls for commercial properties Signs, Free Standing > 6 ft Swimming Pool - Inground for commercial properties Tanks - new and replacement > 660

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Permit requiring plans review in the ePlans process Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals Complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Permits that require ePlans submission Download the step-by-step tutorial for completing your application

Underpinning

This permit category covers projects involving underpinning foundation walls, stabilizing or reinforcing the foundation of a building. Requirements and documents depend on whether the property is residential or commercial. 

Residential

Residential underpinning for 1 & 2 family dwellings, and for multi-family dwellings

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Underpinning only (1 & 2 family dwelling units only) Documents Required Structural drawings Statement of responsibility from architect/engineer Standard language for a permit Written notice of adjoining property owner if work is done on a party wall Underpinning guidelines, and supporting documents information Need contractor information: contractor’s name and registered license Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals For buildings over 3 stories and more than 5 units,  complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Step-by-step video tutorial (starts at 47 min 20 secs) for instructions on completing your ePermit application Download the step-by-step tutorial for instructions on completing your application

Non-Residential / Commercial

Underpinning for Non-Residential / Commercial Buildings

Select this category when applying in the ePermits system: Permit requiring plans review in the ePlans process Documents Required Structural drawings Statement of responsibility from architect/engineer Standard language for permit Written notice of adjoining property owner if work is done on party wall Underpinning guidelines, and supporting documents information Need contractor information: contractor’s name and registered license Contractor ePlans application guidelines and form to add a contractor to your ePlans process Special Requirements Check if your project needs additional review or approvals Complete the Baltimore City Green Compliance Checklist Inspection guidelines and contact information (needed after permit issuance) Additional Resources Green Building Standards Download the step-by-step tutorial  for completing your application

Other Categories

For more details, guidelines, and documents, please choose the category below that best matches the work you need a permit for:

• General Information

• Installation and Replacement 

• Fire Protection

• Use and Occupancy 

• Demolition

• Temporary Event (on private property) 

• Other Services via the ePermits system