Administrative overview · FIPS 24003
Anne Arundel County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits
For a project in or near Anne Arundel County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
410-222-7730 (Permit Center); 410-222-4432 (inspection scheduling questions); 410-222-7790 (Building Inspections)
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
2664 Riva Road, Heritage Office Complex, Annapolis, MD 21401
Operating hours
N/A - general Permit Center hours were not stated; inspection dispatcher is available Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Review expectation
Typical review for a non-residential tenant-improvement permit is approximately 10 business days for each submittal after acceptance; other permit timelines vary by project and agency reviews. The county's system help notes that manager review remaining for more than five business days should be referred to the Permit Center.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Anne Arundel County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 410-222-7730 (Permit Center); 410-222-4432 (inspection scheduling questions); 410-222-7790 (Building Inspections).
How long might review take?
Typical review for a non-residential tenant-improvement permit is approximately 10 business days for each submittal after acceptance; other permit timelines vary by project and agency reviews. The county's system help notes that manager review remaining for more than five business days should be referred to the Permit Center.
How are inspections scheduled?
Schedule and track inspections in the Land Use Navigator after the permit has been active for at least 24 hours. Approved drawings and grading plans must be onsite. Trade finals must be complete before the final building inspection; for commercial or tenant-improvement work, the Fire Marshal life-safety final must also pass first. If internet scheduling is unavailable, call 410-222-7784 and listen for the dispatcher Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Building Inspections can be reached at 410-222-7790.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Current for 2026: 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, 2021 International Existing Building Code, 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2020 National Electrical Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, and 2021 International Plumbing Code. The county's 2024 code package is effective June 23, 2024; 2024 NFPA 1 Uniform Fire Code and 2024 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code amendments under Bill 13-26 are effective May 25, 2026. The county's project guide identifies limited exemptions: ground-level residential patios generally do not require a building permit, though grading approval may be required; detached residential decks under 200 square feet and under 3 feet high may be exempt outside the Critical Area or Bog Contribution Drainage Area; replacing roof shingles only does not require a permit; replacing or reinstalling solar panels in kind does not require a building permit, but electrical authorization may be required; detached sheds or gazebos no larger than 150 square feet and no higher than 10 feet may be exempt outside the Critical Area; and residential pools require permits only when in-ground or above-ground over 36 inches. Fences, retaining walls, decks, additions, alterations, new structures, and most commercial work generally require permits, with location and scope controlling.