BALTIMORE CITY PERMITS
When Does a Project Need Drawings for Approval?
Many types of permits may require drawings or sketches in order to receive approval. Sometimes these plans can be drawn by the homeowner, other times they have to be drawn by a registered design professional.
A site plan, drawn to scale, must accompany any applications for an addition, new construction, deck, driveway, sign, ramp, masonry fence or any accessory structure.
Specifically:
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When five (5) or more floor joists are being added or replaced floor plan details to scale are required.
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Drawings showing the footing are required for residential masonry fences.
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Drawings are required for residential retaining walls. (Residential retaining walls over five (5) feet require signed and sealed drawings and are not issued over the counter).
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Drawings showing floor plans, elevations, cross sections, foundation and fire rating if party line construction are required for single-family additions or new construction < 600 square feet.
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Drawings that are signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer or Architect registered in the State of Maryland are required for rooftop decks.
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Structural drawings that indicate the exact sequence of operation and are signed and sealed by a Structural Engineer registered in the State of Maryland are required for underpinning. Temporary trailers require a site plan; a model number or State certification number; and drawings showing floor layout, foundation/tie down details, and stairs/ramp details.
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Drawings showing floor plans are required for single-family gut rehab structural or nonstructural work.
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Drawings are required for wall-mounted signs and should be drawn to scale and show the entire width of the wall on which sign is to be mounted; this includes window signs.
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Drawings for decks must include extension of deck, height limitations and side elevation. Depending on the type of permit you are applying for other documentation may be required.
Click here to view Baltimore CIty's Site Plan Review Manual:
ePERMITS DRAWINGS MATRIX
Permit Types That Require Sketches and/or Site Plans | Need Sketches Drawn to
Scale | Need Site Plan Drawn to
Scale | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
New Construction and Additions 1 & 2 Family Dwelling Units <600 sq ft | X | X | Show floor plan; floor framing; roof framing plan;
elevations; cross-sections; foundation; fire rating if party line construction |
Ramps - 1 & 2 Family Dwelling Units | X | X | Show elevation plan that depicts 12:1 ratio |
Rooftop Decks | X | X | See rooftop deck permit guide |
Signs - Free Standing <6 ft | X | X | Show attachment details; sign layout |
Signs - Wall Mounted | X | X | Show attachment details; sign layout; plan view
(building & sign location on building); site plan if projected from wall or in right-of-way |
Tanks - NEW <660 Gallons | X | X | Site plan and all other construction related details |
Tanks - Removing, Filling, & Backfilling | X | X | Site plan and all other construction related details |
Temporary Trailers | X | X | Model or State certification number; show floor
layout; foundation/tie down details; stairs/ramp details |
Underpinning | X | See underpinning permit guide |