Anne Arundel County vs Baltimore County, MD Building Permit Fees (2026)
These two Baltimore-area counties price building permits in opposite ways. Anne Arundel County uses a value-based tiered table - the more your project is worth, the higher the fee - plus a $43 application fee on every permit. Baltimore County charges flat fees by structure type and size plus a separately listed $75 residential application fee, the same whether a deck costs $5,000 or $40,000. As project value rises, the two schedules diverge sharply. Maryland adds no statewide levy to either.
For a $15,000 deck, Anne Arundel County charges $207 ($164 value-based tier + $43 application fee) while Baltimore County charges $105 to $180 ($105 flat deck fee, or $180 with the $75 application fee if it is not credited) - Anne Arundel is $27 to $102 higher. For a $50,000 addition under 600 sq ft, Anne Arundel is $535 ($492 + $43) versus Baltimore County's $105 to $180 ($105, or $180 with the $75 application fee; $160 to $235 if the addition has structural changes). The higher the project value, the wider the gap, because Anne Arundel scales with value and Baltimore County does not. For low-value jobs of $5,000 or less, which county is lower depends on whether the $75 is credited. Baltimore County's schedule lists a $75 residential permit application fee and does not say whether it is credited toward the permit fee; PermitPrice will update this page once the county confirms. Baltimore County figures use its schedule effective July 1, 2026.
- Anne Arundel County is value-based: $86 minimum up to $242, then $242 + 1% of value above $25,000, plus a $43 application fee.
- Baltimore County is flat by structure type: deck $105 and addition $105 (under 600 sq ft), fence $35, solar $100, plus a separately listed $75 residential application fee.
- A $15,000 deck: $207 in Anne Arundel vs $105 to $180 in Baltimore County.
- A $50,000 addition: $535 in Anne Arundel vs $105 to $180 in Baltimore County ($160 to $235 with structural changes).
- The gap widens as project value rises, since only Anne Arundel scales with value.
- Neither county adds a Maryland state levy. Baltimore County's $75 application fee is shown as additional because its schedule does not say whether it is credited toward the permit; for residential solar the lower county depends on that ($129 in Anne Arundel vs $100 or $175 in Baltimore County).
Anne Arundel vs Baltimore County: Fee Structure Side by Side
| Fee Element | Anne Arundel County | Baltimore County (PAI) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing basis | Value-based tiered table | Flat fee by structure type and size |
| Deck | Value tier (e.g., $164 at $15k) | $105 (<600 sq ft) / $150 (600+) |
| Addition | Value tier ($242 + 1% above $25k) | $105 (<600 sq ft) / $160 (600+ or structural) |
| Fence | Value-based building permit | $35 residential |
| Solar | Value-based building permit | $100 residential |
| Application / add-on fee | $43 non-refundable per permit | $75 residential (not stated whether credited) |
| Minimum | $86 | $280 minimum for new SF construction |
| State levy | None (Maryland) | None (Maryland) |
| Fee schedule effective | October 1, 2024 | July 1, 2026 |
Shared-Assumption Worked Examples
Each example assumes the same project and, for Anne Arundel, the same declared value.
Example 1: Deck, $15,000 declared value, under 600 sq ft
| Fee Component | Anne Arundel County | Baltimore County |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | $164.00 ($10,001-$15,000 tier) | $105.00 (flat, <600 sq ft) |
| Application fee | $43.00 | $75.00 |
| Total | $207.00 | $105.00-$180.00 |
Note: Same deck. Anne Arundel's value tier plus $43 application fee is $27 more than Baltimore County's $105 flat fee plus $75 application fee, or $102 more if the $75 is credited toward the permit. Baltimore County's fee ignores value entirely; its $75 application fee is shown as additional because the schedule does not say whether it is credited.
Example 2: Room Addition, $50,000 declared value, under 600 sq ft
| Fee Component | Anne Arundel County | Baltimore County |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | $242 + 1% of $25,000 = $492.00 | $105.00 (flat, <600 sq ft) |
| Application fee | $43.00 | $75.00 |
| Total | $535.00 | $105.00-$180.00 |
Note: At $50,000 value, Anne Arundel's 1% marginal rate above $25,000 pushes the fee to $535 while Baltimore County stays flat at $105 to $180 ($105, plus $75 if the application fee is not credited; $160 to $235 if the addition has structural changes). The higher the value, the wider the gap.
Example 3: Residential Solar Power System
| Fee Component | Anne Arundel County | Baltimore County |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Value-based (minimum $86 for a low-value system) | $100.00 (flat residential solar) |
| Application fee | $43.00 | $75.00 |
| Total | $129.00 (at $86 minimum) | $100.00-$175.00 |
Note: For a typical residential solar system Anne Arundel applies the value-based minimum ($86) plus the $43 application fee ($129); Baltimore County charges a flat $100 plus its $75 application fee ($175). If the $75 is additional, Anne Arundel is $46 lower; if it is credited, Baltimore County's $100 is $29 lower, so the lower county for solar depends on how Baltimore County treats the application fee. Electrical interconnection permits are separate in both. Anne Arundel total assumes the $86 minimum tier.
Which County Is Cheaper for Your Project?
| Scenario | Lower Fee | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Low-value project (deck, small job) | Baltimore County for a $15,000 deck ($105-$180 vs $207) | Flat fee ignores value; for jobs valued at $5,000 or less it depends on whether Baltimore County credits its $75 application fee ($129 or $146 in Anne Arundel vs $105 or $180) |
| High-value project (large addition/remodel) | Baltimore County ($105-$180 vs $535+) | Anne Arundel's 1% marginal rate above $25k climbs; Baltimore stays flat |
| New single-family home | Depends | Baltimore $280 minimum + $50 guaranty fund ($330, or $405 with the $75 application fee if not credited) vs Anne Arundel value-based (often higher on expensive homes) |
| Predictable budgeting | Baltimore County | Flat fees are known up front and do not depend on declared value |
| Current schedule confidence | Both current | Anne Arundel is Oct 2024; Baltimore County's schedule took effect July 1, 2026 |
Practitioner Insight
Baltimore County is cheaper for most mid- and high-value residential projects, because a $105 deck or $105 addition fee (plus its $75 application fee) does not care what the work costs, while Anne Arundel's value-based table plus $43 application fee scales upward and never caps. Baltimore County's July 1, 2026 schedule narrowed the gap on small jobs: a $15,000 deck is now $27 to $102 cheaper there, and for solar or any job valued at $5,000 or less the lower county depends on whether Baltimore County credits its $75 application fee. Baltimore County's schedule does not say whether that fee is credited toward the permit, so we show it as an extra line. For a high-value renovation the difference can be hundreds of dollars. Verify Anne Arundel's valuation at intake (410-222-7730) and Baltimore County's current rates (410-887-3900).
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
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Anne Arundel County - Permit Fees (Inspections and Permits) Effective October 1, 2024 - Anne Arundel County, MD
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Baltimore County PAI - Building Permit Fee Schedule (PAI BPP 15 Attachment A, Rev 6/30/26) Effective July 1, 2026 - Baltimore County, MD - re-verified November 4, 2026