MD Permit Guide
County guide

Baltimore City Building Permits & Contractor Licensing (2026)

Verified office info and official links. Always confirm with the county before you file.

All counties › Baltimore City

Office
Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), Permits
Address
417 East Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone
443-984-1806
Website
Official permits page
Last verified
Oct 15, 2026
Full guide coming soon. We verified the office, address and phone from the Maryland Department of Labor county directory. A step-by-step guide covering licenses, permits, fees and codes is on the way. Subscribe below to hear when it goes live.

Licensing basics

Home improvement work on existing homes anywhere in Maryland needs a state MHIC license. Read our MHIC vs. county license explainer.

Codes

Local codes and amendments

Fee estimator

DHCD publishes a downloadable building permit fee estimator. Its worked example: renovating 1,400 sq ft of a rowhouse with 8 plumbing fixtures, a new electric water heater, 12 circuits and a 200-amp service, with plan review, comes to about $737. That is $582 in permit fees, a $25 application fee, $100 for plan review and $30 in tax (source). Construction work on 1- and 2-family homes needs an MHIC contractor, and demolition needs a Baltimore City licensed contractor.

Local pros

Official sources