The big three: Montgomery, Prince George's and Howard
Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services (DPS) in Wheaton is thorough and document-driven — expect plan review for structural work and well-defined inspection stages. Prince George's DPIE handles a huge volume; filings are complete-or-returned, so the package has to be right the first time. Howard County's Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits is comparatively streamlined, but lot-coverage and setback questions on additions get real scrutiny. In all three, trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) ride alongside the building permit.
Anne Arundel, Baltimore County and Baltimore City
Anne Arundel's Department of Inspections and Permits pays close attention to waterfront and critical-area rules — a project near the Severn or the Magothy can pick up extra review layers. Baltimore County's Permits, Approvals and Inspections office is experienced with the county's deep stock of post-war housing; Baltimore City runs its own housing-code process with its own inspectors and timelines. The work is the same; the paperwork choreography is not.
Frederick, Harford, Carroll, Charles and Calvert
Frederick County's permitting division handles a fast-growing county where review queues stretch in spring. Harford and Carroll run smaller, relationship-driven offices — complete drawings and correct forms move noticeably faster there. Charles County reviews through Planning and Growth Management, and Calvert adds Chesapeake Bay critical-area considerations for properties near the water. In every county the pattern holds: structural, electrical and plumbing changes trigger permits; pure cosmetic swaps usually do not.
What the permit process protects — and what it costs you in time
Permits are not bureaucracy for its own sake: they are the inspection trail that protects your resale (unpermitted work surfaces in appraisals and disclosures), your insurance, and your safety. The time cost is real — plan on design and permit review happening before demo, which is exactly how we sequence projects under MHIC #117311. You should never be asked to pull a homeowner permit for a contractor's job; that request is a red flag anywhere in Maryland. Questions about your county's path? Call (240) 266-8317 and we will map it for your address.
Frequently asked questions
How long do Maryland remodel permits take?
Simple trade permits can issue in days; building permits with plan review typically take two to six weeks depending on the county and season. Additions with structural review sit at the longer end.
What happens if previous work was done without a permit?
It depends on the scope and county. Sometimes it is documented and closed out; sometimes it must be opened and inspected. We assess it during the in-home visit and tell you plainly what your county will require.
Who should apply for the permit — me or the contractor?
The contractor. A licensed MHIC contractor pulls the permits for work they build. If a contractor asks you to pull a homeowner permit for their work, they are shifting liability to you — walk away.