Renovation permits in Howard County, Maryland

What needs a permit

Howard County does not publish a single list of exempt work, but the answers to common questions on DILP's main page cover several projects:

• Decks: all decks need a permit except decks under 25 square feet. Replacing deck boards only, with the same or a composite product, is ordinary repair and needs no permit.
• Railings: replacing handrails or guardrails, even with the same product, needs a permit.
• Sheds: a building permit is required for sheds over 200 square feet.
• Water heaters: replacing a gas or electric water heater needs a plumbing permit pulled by a master plumber, and an inspection.

The county's fee resolution (effective July 1, 2026) says no permit is required for retaining walls 3 feet high or less and lists permits for fences over 7 feet. For interior alterations, basement finishing, additions, or anything not covered here, ask DILP before you start.

Applying

• Apply online through DILP's Citizen Access portal. Since September 19, 2023, DILP accepts electronic submissions for all permit types and no longer accepts paper drawings.
• The county's same-day walk-through ended in 2019. An MHIC-licensed contractor applying online links their license to their Citizen Access account.
• DILP itself issues building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits; plumbing permits do not come from WSSC here.

Fees

Under the FY2027 fee schedule, effective July 1, 2026:

• Residential alterations and repairs: a $25 filing fee, then $50 for a single small room of 200 square feet or less, or $100 for larger work.
• Additions: a $50 filing fee.
• Decks, larger sheds, and other miscellaneous residential structures: $50 each.
• Residential electrical alterations and additions: $50 flat fee, with no fee for work involving 10 outlets or fewer.
• Plumbing: $25 minimum, including the first fixture, plus $5 per additional fixture.
• A technology fee of 10% applies on top.

Inspections

DILP says you can request inspections online, by phone at 410-313-3800 (24 hours a day), or by text to 888-297-9841. Inspection questions go to 410-313-2455, option 4.

Ellicott City and Lawyers Hill

In the Ellicott City and Lawyers Hill local historic districts, exterior changes such as roofing, windows, siding, doors, painting, demolition, decks, fences, and sheds need a Certificate of Approval from the Historic Preservation Commission before work starts. The commission generally meets the first Thursday of each month, and applications are due 22 days before the meeting. Minor exterior work can go through a faster review: the county created a five-day online process for minor alterations after the 2016 Ellicott City flood.

One county office

Howard County has no incorporated towns or cities, so DILP handles permits everywhere in the county, including Columbia, Ellicott City, Clarksville, and Elkridge. DILP's main office is at 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, and its permits line is 410-313-2455.

Before you hire, check the contractor's MHIC license with our contractor checklist. To plan a Howard County project with us, start a project.