Administrative overview · FIPS 24017
Charles 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
Charles County Department of Planning & Growth Management - Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services
For a project in or near Charles 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
301-645-0692
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., subject to the Charles County Government operating schedule and closures
Review expectation
A submitted permit is processed for acceptance within 2 business days after receipt. Each residential building review is targeted within 6 business days, or 8 business days in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area; commercial building reviews are targeted within 15 business days; trade permits are processed and issued within 2 business days. Additional reviews, missing documents, fees, or agency approvals can extend issuance.
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 Charles County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Charles County Department of Planning & Growth Management - Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services 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 301-645-0692.
How long might review take?
A submitted permit is processed for acceptance within 2 business days after receipt. Each residential building review is targeted within 6 business days, or 8 business days in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area; commercial building reviews are targeted within 15 business days; trade permits are processed and issued within 2 business days. Additional reviews, missing documents, fees, or agency approvals can extend issuance.
How are inspections scheduled?
Required inspections are listed on the issued permit. Building, trade, and fire-safety inspections are scheduled through Planchek at 301-870-8710 or its online request form. Planning and zoning inspections use 240-776-6670 or PZInspections@CharlesCountyMD.gov; stormwater, forest conservation, and sediment/erosion inspections use 301-645-0700. The Permit Center is 301-645-0692. Required final inspections and certificate-of-occupancy approvals must be completed before lawful use or occupancy.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
For permits applied for on or after June 28, 2024, Charles County implements the 2021 International Building, Residential, Energy Conservation, Fuel Gas, Existing Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Swimming Pool and Spa, Property Maintenance, and applicable portions of the Fire Codes, with county amendments, plus the 2020 National Electrical Code. Maryland State Fire Code, Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code, zoning, environmental, stormwater, and other applicable county requirements also apply. Examples of residential work not requiring a building permit include acid cleaning; air-conditioning repair or cleaning; residential awnings; kitchen cabinets; carpet, caulking, drywall, flagstone, floor-laying/refinishing, interior decoration, painting/plastering/paneling/paper hanging, tile, stucco, stained glass, and ornamental iron work; replacement of existing windows and doors in existing openings; fencing not over 7 feet (subject to zoning and Critical Area rules); furnace repair/cleaning without equipment replacement; like-for-like insulation work; lock/hardware replacement; oil-burner repair; pointing brick; like-for-like shingle or roll-roof replacement; sandblasting; siding replacement; sink/countertops; storm windows/doors/screens; extermination; and gutters/downspouts. This is not an all-inclusive list. Agricultural non-habitable outbuildings on verifiable agriculturally zoned parcels of at least five acres, qualifying open-sided temporary tents/membrane structures up to 2,400 square feet for under 180 days, and flagpoles no higher than 20 feet are also code exemptions; zoning permits may still apply.