Maryland Shed & Garage Permit Guide
Maryland doesn't have a single statewide rule — every county sets its own thresholds. Here's the county-by-county breakdown for our delivery area.
Updated for 2025–2026
We handle permits so you don't have to.
White Pine Structures is a specialty builder of portable structures & detached buildings — not a general contractor. We help navigate your township's permit process. It starts with a $25 permit review — we find out what your township requires, prepare the documents (including your site plan and impervious coverage worksheet), and hand everything to you to submit under your own name. Approval isn't guaranteed, but the $25 is applied to your purchase when you move forward.
Building larger or double-wide? This part matters.
For simple, smaller buildings we handle the whole permit process for you. But for larger or double-wide structures — anything 16 ft wide and up — approval takes more legwork, and the single biggest thing that gets these across the finish line is you being willing to go to the township and talk with them personally. We prepare everything and coach you on exactly what to say, but a local homeowner advocating for their own project moves the needle in a way we simply can’t do remotely.
What a township prints on its paperwork doesn’t always reflect what they’ll actually approve in person — which is exactly why your involvement makes the difference on bigger builds. Think of it as a team effort: we do the heavy lifting, and your willingness to show up is often what gets a larger structure approved.
Every permit review is a flat $25 — big build or small — and it credits straight to your build when you move forward. Two honest heads-ups on larger builds: your township charges its own permit fee on top, and if they require sealed (engineer-stamped) drawings, those are prepared by an outside engineer at an additional cost. We’ll tell you exactly what your township needs before anything is spent.
How Maryland’s Home Improvement rules apply to your project
Maryland regulates “home improvement” work through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). A common question we get is whether that applies to a portable building. The short answer: it depends on how your structure is installed. Here’s what that means for your project.
Delivered portable buildings — no MHIC license involved
Under Maryland’s own guidance, selling and delivering a prefabricated, movable building and setting it on the ground or a non-permanent foundation (blocks, gravel, or skids) is not classified as “home improvement.” That’s our standard model, and no contractor license is required for it. You’ll still need any local building or zoning permit your county requires — which is what the rest of this guide covers.
If your project needs a permanent installation
Some counties or larger builds call for a permanently affixed structure. For a permanent install, the clean path is for you, the property owner, to act as your own general contractor and pull the permit directly — Maryland lets homeowners do this on their own property. We prepare every document, drawing, and specification you need and coach you through it, but the permit is issued in your name. Some counties (e.g., Prince George’s) ask owner-builders to sign a short homeowner waiver.
We’ll always tell you upfront which path your project falls under, so there are no surprises. If you’d like to review Maryland’s home improvement requirements yourself, you can find them on Maryland’s OneStop portal. This is general information, not legal advice.
The Short Version
120–400 sq ft
Permit threshold varies by county
Always
Zoning review required, any size
$50–$120+
Typical permit fee range
County-by-County Requirements
Montgomery County
Strictest county in MD — zoning review + site plan required for all sizes
Permit: Permit required for ANY size
Fee: $118.96 flat (under 200 sq ft)
Baltimore County
Also required regardless of size in historic districts, floodplains, or Critical Area
Permit: 120+ sq ft
Fee: Varies
Howard County
Over 400 sq ft requires frost footing (30" below grade). Adopted 2024 IRC.
Permit: 200+ sq ft
Fee: Varies
Anne Arundel County
Critical Area (Chesapeake Bay) always requires a permit. Online-only submissions since Dec 2025.
Permit: 150+ sq ft or over 10 ft avg height
Fee: Starting ~$50
Prince George's County
Under 150 sq ft exempt only if it's the only shed. Online via Momentum portal.
Permit: 150+ sq ft
Fee: Varies
Harford County
Under 200 sq ft: site plan only (no construction drawings)
Permit: ALL sizes require a permit
Fee: Varies
Carroll County
Prefab sheds under 150 sq ft on skids may be exempt. Health Dept approval needed.
Permit: 150+ sq ft (if on permanent foundation)
Fee: Varies
Washington County
Most permissive in MD. Under 400 sq ft: no building permit needed.
Permit: 400+ sq ft
Fee: Application + per sq ft
More Maryland Counties
Don't see your county above? Here's the short answer for more of the counties we deliver to.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Cecil County, MD?
Cecil County
Cecil County borders our home county and is prime delivery territory. The county permits office generally requires a zoning/building permit once you pass its size threshold, with setback review for placement. Critical Area near the bay adds requirements. Confirm with Cecil County Permits.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Frederick County, MD?
Frederick County
Frederick County requires a permit for sheds over its size threshold and reviews setbacks and placement for any structure. Confirm the current threshold and fee with the Frederick County permitting office before you order.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Baltimore City, MD?
Baltimore City
Baltimore City is separate from Baltimore County and runs its own permits through the Department of Housing & Community Development. Expect a permit and setback review for a shed; historic districts add rules. Confirm with the city permits office.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Queen Anne's County, MD?
Queen Anne's County
Queen Anne's County sets its own shed threshold and reviews setbacks and placement. Chesapeake Bay Critical Area parcels almost always need a permit regardless of size. Confirm with the county permits office.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Kent County, MD?
Kent County
Kent County (Maryland's Eastern Shore) requires a permit over its size threshold and reviews setbacks and placement. Waterfront and Critical Area lots carry extra requirements. Confirm with the county permits office.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Charles County, MD?
Charles County
Charles County requires a permit for sheds above its size threshold and reviews setbacks, floodplain and placement. Confirm the current threshold and fee with the county permitting office.
Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Calvert County, MD?
Calvert County
Calvert County sets its own shed threshold and reviews setbacks and placement, with additional rules in the Critical Area along the bay. Confirm with the county permits office before ordering.
What’s Always Required in Maryland
Zoning review
Every county requires confirmation that your shed meets setback rules, lot coverage limits, and height restrictions — even when a building permit is exempt.
Electrical permit
Running power to any shed requires a separate electrical permit and inspection, regardless of the shed's size.
Flood zone compliance
Properties in FEMA flood zones or the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area have additional requirements including elevation certificates.
HOA approval
If you're in an HOA, their rules are often stricter than county rules. Get approval before ordering.
Typical Setback Requirements
Side yard: 3–10 feet
Varies significantly by county
Rear yard: 3–10 feet
Some counties measure from roofline
From house: 6–10 feet
Fire separation requirement
From well/septic: 10+ feet
Health department requirement
The Permit Process
Call your county permitting office
Confirm the permit threshold for your specific zoning district. Rules can differ even within a county.
Prepare a plot plan
Show your property lines, existing structures, proposed shed location, and setback distances. Hand-drawn is usually fine for smaller sheds.
Submit your application
Many MD counties have moved to online portals (Anne Arundel, Prince George's). Check your county's website.
Pay fees ($50–$120+)
Montgomery County charges a flat $118.96 for sheds under 200 sq ft. Others are typically $50–60.
Wait for approval (6–17 business days)
Timeline varies. Some counties offer expedited review for small accessory structures.
Final inspection
Most counties require at least a final inspection. Larger sheds with foundations may need footing + framing inspections.
What If You Skip the Permit?
Maryland counties take unpermitted construction seriously:
- •Fines starting at $125 (Anne Arundel) and escalating
- •Stop-work orders and potential forced removal
- •Property liens that complicate future sales
- •Insurance companies may deny claims on unpermitted structures
- •Retroactive permits cost more and require exposing completed work
How We Can Help
We deliver throughout Maryland and know the county-by-county requirements. Let us save you the research.
- We'll tell you exactly what your county requires for the size you're considering
- We provide engineered drawings when counties require them
- Our structures meet Maryland wind and snow-load requirements
- Free guidance on site prep and placement for your property
More Permit Guides
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