RESIDENTIAL NEW HOUSE PERMIT-SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED OR TOWNHOUSE

The permitting requirements for a new residence are listed below. For more information contact the Licenses and Permits Division at 410-313-2455.

GRADING PERMIT

A grading permit is required for all new residential contruction. Each grading permit application must be accompanied by one of the following types of plans. The submittal requirements are dependent upon whether the home is to be constructed is planned under a Site Development Plan(SDP), the lot size and amount of disturbed area.

Site Development (SDP)Plan for Subdivision Lots

• Grading permit application completed
• Cost estimate form (signed and sealed by engineer if cost is greater than $5,000)
• 2 sets of the approved SDP plans with Howard Soil Conservation District signatures less than 2-years old
• Grading bond if SDP is for more than four lots

Road Construction (F) Plan for Road Construction to Vacant Lots

• Grading permit application completed
• Cost estimate form (signed and sealed by engineer if cost is greater than $5,000)
• 2 sets of the Road Construction (F) plans with Howard Soil Conservation District signatures less than 2-years old
• Grading bond provided (if plan includes lot grading)

Mass Grading (GP) Plan for Disturbed Area Greater than 30,000 Square Feet

• Grading permit application completed
• Cost estimate form (signed and sealed by engineer if cost is greater than $5,000)
• 2 sets of the Mass Grading (GP) plans with Howard Soil Conservation District signatures less than 2-years old
• Grading bond provided (not required for forest harvest, residential lots 2 acres or greater, stockpiles on lots 3 acres or less, individual residential lots not part of a larger subdivision, or subdivisions of four or fewer lots)

Single Lot Plan (Standard Sediment Control Plan) for Disturbed Area 30,000 Square Feet or Less

• Grading permit application completed
• Standard Sediment Control Plan completed
• Disturbed area is no greater than 30,000 square feet
• 2 sets of plot plans which show:
  • existing and proposed grades
  • drainage patterns
  • limits of disturbance
  • first floor elevation

BUILDING PERMIT

Each new house, whether single family detached, townhouse, or duplex requires the submission of a building permit application. The owner or owner/agent submits the application for a building permit. The Licenses and Permits Division will accept building permit applications for a new home when a Site Development Plan has been reviewed, approved and signed by Howard County agencies permitting the subdivision to proceed with development. When a building permit application is submitted under SDP requirements the Plan Review Division of the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits conducts the review. The permit is not issued until the Plan Review Division completes it review and approves the issuance of the permit.

When exempt from the SDP requirements a building permit application is reviewed simultaneously by the following agencies. In these circumstances the building permit will not be issued until the permit has been reviewed and approved by the agencies listed below.

• Planning and Zoning-reviewed for compliance with zoning and subdivision regulations, including setbacks
• Planning and Zoning/Bureau of Engineering-reviewed for presence of water and sewer and payment of fees; compliance with 100 Year Floodplain Law
• State of Maryland/Highway-for compliance with their programs and regulations including driveway entrance
• State of Maryland/Environment Health Department-for compliance with State Health regulations; well and septic tank elevation
• Inspections, Licenses and Permits/Plan Review Division –review for compliance with current building code regulations; assessing fees; and compliance with sediment control programs and regulations
• A building permit application fee is paid at the time of application. After review and approval by the agencies listed above the balance of the building permit fees is collected at the time of the permit issuance. Additionally the excise tax and school surcharge is collected at the time of the building permit issuance. The building permit fee is based upon the square footage of the house and the school surcharge and excise tax is based upon the gross occupiable square footage of the house.

WHAT IS REQUIRED

Filing requirements are dependent upon whether the home to be constructed is planned under a Site Development Plan

NEW SINGLE FAMILY HOME UNDER A SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (SDP)

• A completed building permit application
• Two (2) copies of currently approved and signed site development plan (SDP)
• Two (2) copies of individual site specific drawings to scale not to exceed 8.5” x 14” with house type, model and all options shown
• Residential construction drawings-two (2) sets including floor plan, elevations from all four (4) sides, detailed cross sections and showing size of materials
• Completed Grading Permit
• Completed Roadway and entrance form. A use and occupancy certificate will not be issued until entrance is completed to Bureau of Highways Standards & Specifications. If the property is located off of a State Highway a bond is required.
• Well/septic-well must be drilled prior to acceptance of the building permit application
• Payment of building permit application filing fee of $100 must be made at time of submission of the building permit application. Payment of applicable water and/or sewer fees payable to the Director of Finance is also required. A separate check is required for payment of water/sewer fees. The balance of the permit fee, school surcharge and excise tax fees will be calculated during the plan review process and you will be notified of those charges when the permit is ready for issuance.

NEW SINGLE FAMILY HOME NOT UNDER A SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (SDP)

• A completed building permit application
• Seven (7) copies of plot plans to scale not to exceed 8.5” x 14” including:
• Title block identifying the owner, builder, address, date, house type, lot number, north arrow
• Show paving on site and provide paving specifications
• Location of property and all proposed buildings
• Setbacks from house to all property lines
• Location of all easements, drainage facilities, and building restriction lines
• Existing and proposed wells, septic easements or septic systems, if applicable
• Visible above ground utilities
• House footprint complete with all options specific to this project including overhangs
• Finished elevations of first floor levels including garage slab
• Show all retaining walls; show setback from wall to property lines for all retaining walls over 3’ in height
• Show limits of disturbance and tree removal
• Show existing and proposed contours;swale arrows on all disturbed areas
• Identify source of topography
• Show spot grades at entrances; parking pads in front of garage; 20’ in front of garage, all house corners and walkouts; show percentage grade of driveway
• Proposed on-site sediment and erosion control measures
• Residential construction drawings-two (2) sets including floor plan, elevations from all four (4) sides, detailed cross section and showing size of all materials
• Grading permit application and standard sediment control plan completed
• Completed Roadway and entrance form. A use and occupancy certificate will not be issued until entrance is completed to Bureau of Highways Standards & Specifications. If the property is located off of a State Highway a bond is required.
• Well/septic-well must be drilled prior to acceptance of the building permit application
• Payment of building permit application filing fee of $100 must be made at time of submission of the building permit application. Payment of applicable water and/or sewer fees payable to the Director of Finance is also required. A separate check is required for payment of water/sewer fees. The balance of the permit fee, school surcharge and excise tax fees will be calculated during the plan review process and you will be notified of those charges when the permit is ready for issuance.

STATUS OF BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION

To determine the approval status of your permit, you may access the automated inspections and permit information system 24 hours a day at 410-313-3800. Building permits are issued/accepted between the house of 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Monday through Friday

ELECTRICAL PERMIT

New residential electrical permits cannot be issued before the building permit is issued. Electrical permits are only issued to licensed electricians. An electrical permit application is completed by the electrician and issued within 2 days of the application. Electrical permits are required for all rough wiring and fixtures in the house and connection to the power source of the power company. BG & E and the Allegheny Power Company serve Howard County

PLUMBING PERMIT

Plumbing permits are only issued to licensed plumbers. A plumbing permit application is completed by the plumber and issued within 2 days of the application. Plumbing permits are required for all inside piping and fixture as well as connection to the public water and sewer system if applicable. If connecting to the public system certain in aid of construction fees and connection charges will be assessed and paid at the time of submittal of the building permit application.

PRIVATE WELL AND SEPTIC SYSTEMS

A septic system and well permit will be required if the residence will not connect to the public water and sewer system. These permits are obtained through the Health Department and are required prior ro the acceptance of a building permit application. For further information contact the Health Department at 410-313--2640.

WATER SEWER CONNECTION

If the house under construction will be connecting to public water and sewer certain in aid of construction fees will be assessed and collected at the time of submittal of the building permit application.

All new home construction served by public water and sewer require payment of in aid of construction charges and connection fees at the time of submittal of the building permit application. There are no exceptions.

Permits>>Residential: New House