When is a Permit Not Required in Baltimore City
 

A few general rules:

1. Minor non-structural work generally does not require a permit, but should always be done by a licensed contractor:

   1. Painting (unless located in a Commission for Historic and Architectural Preservation area)

   2. Refinishing floors, installing or replacing carpet, vinyl or tile

   3. Installing or replacing cabinets, countertops, shelves, molding, baseboards, trim, wallpaper, backsplashes, medicine cabinets

   4. Repairing drywall or plaster

   5. Replacing interior doors that don’t require altering the existing opening

   6. Epoxy coating a garage

   7. Replacing roof shingles or tarring (unless located in a Commission for Historic and Architectural Preservation area)

   8. Above ground swimming pools less than 24” deep and less than 5,000 gallons which are accessory to a group R-3 occupancy

   9. Playground Equipment

   10. Boarding of exterior openings with plywood

   11. Installing a temporary door on a structure subject to a vacant building notice.

 

1. Minor electrical work generally does not require a permit, but should always be done by a licensed electrician:

   1. Cord and plug devices - decorative lighting, appliances

   2. Installing electric appliances that plug into existing sockets: washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator

   3. Replacing an existing light fixture with a new one

   4. Replacing an existing ceiling fan with a new one

   5. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy

   6. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

   7. Replacement of existing receptacles and switches with in-kind materials

 

1. Minor gas work generally does not require a permit, but should always be done by a licensed plumber or mechanic:

1. Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.

2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

3. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

 

1. Minor mechanical work generally does not require a permit, but should always be done by a licensed mechanic:

   1. Steam, hot water or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment

   2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe

   3. Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.

   4. Portable air conditioners

   5. Portable fans, ventilation appliances and evaporative coolers

   6. Portable heating appliances

   7. Portable dehumidifiers

 

1. Minor plumbing work generally does not require a permit, but should always be done by a licensed plumber:

   1. Stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipes

      1. Replacing these pipes with new materials for any reason would require a permit.

   2. Clearing blockages or repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of toilets.

      1. Replacement and rearranging valves, pipes and fixtures does require a permit.

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1. Other work that does not require a permit:

   1. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18 927L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1

   2. Removal of debris except in cases of interior or exterior demolition.

   3. Boarding of exterior openings with plywood

   4. Installing a temporary door on a structure subject to a vacant building notice.

   5. Shade cloth or plastic film structures, commonly know as “hoophouses”, constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems. The covering of the structure must be a material that conforms to NFPA 701 standards.

   6. When equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation. 

      1. The permit application shall be submitted within the next working day to the business official

   7. A permit is not required for the installation, alteration, repair of generation, transmission, distribution or other related equipment that is under the ownership and control of public service agencies by established right