Building Inspections

Please contact the Building Services Division at 410-638-3366 prior to 3 p.m. to schedule a next business day inspection. Requests received after 3 p.m. will be scheduled for the second business work day. Remember: Your building permit number is required to schedule an inspection.

If you wish to speak with your inspector, please call 410-638-3366 between 7-7:30 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m.

Inspections

The code requires one copy of the approved plans and specifications together with the permit to be kept at the site of operation at all times during the progress of the work. It is the responsibility of the person obtaining the permit to notify the building official when work is ready for inspection and no work should be covered before it has been inspected and approved. Requests for inspection are required in accordance with the following schedule:

• Footing: Prior to pouring concrete, after cleaning out and grade stakes in place, stone entrance (minimum of 10 feet wide by 25 feet long) installed and a silt-fence installed around the lowest perimeter of disturbance.
• Foundation: Prior to backfill, after parging and drain tile if outside. Not required on garage.
• Slab/drain tile: Prior to pouring slab and drain tile if inside. Not required on garage.
• Framing: Prior to application of insulation and after plumbing and electrical inspection.
• Insulation: Prior to application in interior finish.
• Final: Prior to occupancy (Type 1 - outside items only)
• Use and Occupancy Certificate (U&O): Required prior to occupancy.

Display property address clearly visible from roadway prior to final inspection. Stabilization of lot must be completed prior to issuance of any type of use and occupancy certificate. All electrical, plumbing and mechanical work requires a separate permit to be obtained by a licensed master electrician/plumber/HVACR contractor.

Important Note:

Building permits are valid for twelve months from the date of issuance. "Any permit issued shall become invalid if the authorized work is not commenced and diligently pursued within twelve months after issuance or is suspended or abandoned for a period of six months after the work has commenced. Another permit, upon application, may be issued if the applicant can demonstrate that construction will commence within six months after reissuance and will be diligently pursued to completion." Diligently pursued is interpreted as, "An inspection obtained within six months from the date of the previous inspection."

Use & Occupancy Certificate

A final Use and Occupancy Certificate is required and must be issued after completion of your project and prior to occupancy. A Use and Occupancy is required for all:

• Commercial construction
• Residential construction

Inspections are required during construction and at completion. After all final inspections are approved, a Use and Occupancy Certificate will be issued by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits. There is no fee charged to issue the certificate, but if reinspection fees were charged ($50 per reinspection) during construction, these fees must be paid prior to issuance of a Use and Occupancy Certificate.

Scheduling Inspection

To schedule a required inspection, please call:

Agency	Phone
Building Services	410-638-3366
Electrical Services	410-638-3363
Health Department	410-877-2300 (well and septic)
Plumbing Services	410-638-3215 (plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas)
Water and Sewer, DPW	410-612-1612 (public facilities)

Health Department and Water and Sewer approvals are required for all commercial permits. To check on the status of or to pickup a Use and Occupancy Certificate, please call 410-638-3366 or go to our ePermit Center.