Residential Accessory Structure Permit

Accessory structures include sheds, gazebos, garages, etc. A building permit is required for accessory structures greater than 120 square feet, and for all accessory structures, regardless of size, that are located:

  • In a proposed or designated Baltimore County Historic District
  • In the floodplain
  • In the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area
  • On the Baltimore County Landmarks List

Accessory Structures on Agricultural Properties

Some Accessory Structures on Agricultural Properties are exempt from certain Baltimore County Code requirements. The Agricultural Verification process is used to determine what sections of the Code are applicable for an agricultural activity.  An Agricultural Verification form must be completed and uploaded with the Accessory Structure permit application.  Review the Agricultural Verification webpage for information on determining if the proposed work qualifies for this process.    

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

You must provide the following when submitting your permit application:

BUILDING GUIDELINES

The structure must meet the following guidelines:

  • Must be located in the rear yard behind the rear foundation wall line, unless a zoning variance is obtained
  • Cannot occupy no more than 40 percent of the yard
  • Must be located 2.5 feet from the side and rear property lines, however any side closer than five feet to the property line requires a one-hour fire-rated safety wall and no openings on that side
  • If there is an alley, there must be a minimum setback of 15 feet from the centerline
  • There is a height limitation of 15 feet
  • If located on a corner lot, the structure must be situated in the half of the lot furthest from the side street
  • If larger than 400 square feet, it requires frost-line footings
  • If in one 100-year floodplain, the structure must be firmly anchored and vented
  • A MHIC Licensed Contractor must be used

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

To learn more about the application process, read the steps and watch the videos below, or view the FAQ or full tutorial video playlist.

Watch a video to learn how to create your account or follow the instructions below:

  1. Navigate to the online portal.
  2. Select the Create Account button.
  3. Enter your email address, select Submit.
  4. An email will be sent with a link to complete the account setup. (Note: If you don't see the email is not in your inbox, check the SPAM folder. If in SPAM, mark unread before selecting the link.)

Prepare/gather all required documents as indicated above to upload when completing your online application. Be sure to name the documents appropriately—file names must follow Baltimore County naming conventions.

Watch a video to learn how to create your application or follow the instructions below:

  1. Enter the applicant and owner information.
  2. Select the property address and enter the contractor information. 
    1. In the Search and Add Contractors section, enter the contractor name in the search box.
    2. Select the contractor. The system will highlight the selected contractor in  red.
    3. Select the Add button to select the contractor. The contractor will be listed in the Selected Contractors section.
  3. Describe proposed work.
  4. Answer all required questions and enter all information related to the project.
  5. Upload required documents. 
    1. After accepting the Terms and Conditions, the Document Upload window opens.
    2. On the Plan Documents tab, scroll down and select the Browse button to select your files.
    3. Highlight the files to be added, select Open. The files are added to the Upload Documents window. 
    4. For each file, select a discipline from the dropdown list to describe your uploaded document type. 
    5. Select the Upload button.
    6. A disclaimer pop-up appears. Approve the disclaimer by selecting the Yes button.
    7. Select the Submit for Review button.
    8. When all files have been submitted, close out the Document Upload window.
  6. Submit the application.

  1. Applications will be reviewed by the Permit Processing Staff. Watch a video to learn about the application review and revisions process. Staff may leave comments and  revisions required for your permit. To view comments, follow the below instructions:
    1. Navigate to the online portal. 
    2. Locate the permit on the My Dashboard page.
    3. Select the expand icon next to the permit. Select the Action (magnifying glass) icon, which opens the Permit Application Info page. There are two ways to view comments and revisions required for your permit:
      1. From the Plan Review section:
        • Select the Open Plan Review button.
        • From the Upload Documents screen, select the Review Documents tab
        • Download the documents for review. Review the comments and feedback letter, documenting the required updates. Review the markups of submitted plans and documents.
      2. From the Tasks section:
        • Scroll to the Tasks section. If there are comments for review, you will see an Action (magnifying glass) icon in the Comments field to the right of the task’s Date Completed field.
        • Select the magnifying glass to see the comments.
  2. If all required information and documents are submitted, the application will be completed and application fees will be calculated.
  3. Applicants will receive a notification that the fees are ready for payment. Watch a video to learn how to pay application fees or follow the instructions below:
    1. Navigate to the online portal. The My Dashboard page displays.
    2. Select the Applications with Fees Due box at the top-middle of the My Dashboard window.
    3. Scroll to the My Fees section, find the permit number and scroll to the right to the Actions section. You will see a magnifying glass icon and a credit card icon.
    4. To view details for the fees, select the magnifying glass icon.
    5. To pay the fees, select the credit card icon. (Note: Baltimore County only accepts Mastercard, Visa and PayPal electronic payments.)
  4. Once payment is received, the application will be sent to all reviewing departments for technical review. Watch a video to learn about the review and revision process.
  5. Once the reviews are completed and approved, the permit will be issued.

Once the permit has been issued, the applicant will be notified via email. Watch a video to learn how to access the permit and approved plans in the applicant portal. Permits and approved plans must be available at the job site for inspections.

All construction must be completed exactly as stated on the approved permit and approved construction plans. Watch a video to learn how to schedule inspections through the applicant portal.

APPLY FOR A PERMIT

Once you have reviewed the process outlined above and have gathered your required documentation, apply for your permit online using the button below.

APPLY FOR A RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY STRUCTURE PERMIT