Building permits in Baltimore, MD

Short answer: In Baltimore, permits are issued by Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), Permits and Inspections; of the 6 common projects we checked, 3 always need a permit, 1 do not, and 2 depend on the details.

Permitting authority: Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), Permits and Inspections. Historic (CHAP) and planning districts need extra review. Construction on 1- and 2-family homes generally requires an MHIC-licensed contractor.

Permit rules in Baltimore
Project	Answer	Verified
Deck	Permit required Yes. Building a deck is construction that needs a permit; DHCD publishes deck and rooftop deck guidelines.	2026-10-19
Fence	Permit required Yes. Baltimore's list of work exempt from permit does not include fences, and building any structure needs a permit.	2026-10-19
Interior / bathroom remodel	Depends on your project Interior tiling, cabinets and counters need no permit. Replacing or adding plumbing or electrical fixtures needs a permit.	2026-10-19
Roof replacement	No permit required No permit to replace roof shingles or roof tarring. Structural roof work needs a permit.	2026-10-19
Shed	Depends on your project No permit for a one-story detached shed or playhouse up to 120 sq ft. Larger sheds need a permit.	2026-10-19
Water heater replacement	Permit required Yes. Replacing plumbing or gas equipment, even same size and location, needs a permit and a licensed contractor.	2026-10-19

Fee schedule: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/dhcd/our-work/permits-inspections/building-permits

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Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.