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Francis Scott Key Bridge Incident Updates

The Bureau of Building Inspections:

  • Conducts required inspections on all new and remodeled residential and commercial building projects to verify compliance with minimum safety standards and all applicable codes
  • Investigates building complaints
  • Sediment control
  • Answers code compliance questions from contractors, engineers and property owners

About Your Upcoming Inspection

To determine the time of a scheduled inspection, have your permit number readily available and call 410-887-3953 on the morning of the inspection between 7:30 and 8 a.m.

SCHEDULE, RESCHEDULE OR CANCEL AN INSPECTION

You and your contractor should coordinate your inspection requests so that they can be provided in a timely manner. Learn more about how to schedule, reschedule or cancel an inspection.

Building Permit Application and Requirements

Building permits are required for the following:

  • Additions, alterations and structural modifications, including demolitions, to existing dwellings, including those located in historic districts
  • Change in use of structure
  • Floodplain and zones—Any building activity within a tidal or riverine 100-year floodplain and all accessory structures located in Flood Zone A

Determine if a building permit and inspection is required for your construction project.

Local Building Design Requirements

The local building design requirements are listed below:

  • Footing depth 30 inches below the final grade, pole buildings 48 inches
  • Minimum ground snow load 30 PSF
  • Minimum  roof live loads 30 PSF
  • Design wind speed (Risk Categories I and II) 90 MPH Nominal three-second gust (minimum design)
  • Seismic, site class B
  • Tidal flood protection elevation 10.4 (NAVD 88) Back River and South; 11.2 (NAVD 88) north of Back River; in addition see FEMA maps dated May 5, 2014 for additional requirements for areas subject to wave action Zone VE and Coastal AE
  • Downspouts are to be discharged at a distance of not less than eight feet from any property line measured along the path of flow

Explore Building Inspections

Contact Us

Building Inspections

111 West Chesapeake Avenue
Room G-24
Towson, Maryland 21204

Hours

Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Phone

Fax

410-853-1893

BALTCOGO311

Chief Building Inspector

Matt Gawel