Harford County, MD Building Permit Fees (2026)
Residential building permit fees from the official Harford County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits (DILP) fee schedule. New construction, additions, alterations, and re-roofing are priced at a flat per-square-foot rate plus a non-refundable application fee. Maryland adds no statewide percentage levy, but a separate impact fee applies to new homes.
This page covers: Harford County residential building permit fees from the official DILP Fee Schedule (Bill 24-013, effective January 1, 2025; PDF footers read "Revised 01/01/2026") - the $0.15-per-square-foot rate plus the $100 non-refundable application fee for new construction, additions, alterations, accessory structures over 200 sq ft, and re-roofing; the flat $160 square-footless permits; pool, fence, retaining-wall, and demolition fees; and the $50 Maryland Home Builder Guaranty Fund (MHIC) fee on new homes.
This page does NOT cover: Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) on separate DILP schedules; Health Department well/septic fees; and utility / public works connection fees.
Important note on the impact fee: A separate Harford County impact fee of $10,000 per single-family/townhouse unit (Bill 24-033, effective March 1, 2025) applies to NEW residential units. It is not part of the building permit fee, but it is a large, decision-relevant cost shown separately in the new-construction example below.
Harford County, MD prices most residential building permits at $0.15 per square foot plus a $100 non-refundable application fee. A small accessory structure of 200 sq ft or less (like a shed) is a flat $20, and square-footless permits such as a wood stove or foundation repair are a flat $160. Re-roofing a 1,500 sq ft house runs about $325, and the building-permit side of a new 2,400 sq ft home is about $510 - separate from a $10,000 impact fee on new units. Unlike Virginia, Maryland adds no statewide percentage levy.
- New construction, additions, alterations, and re-roofing for one- and two-family homes are $0.15 per square foot plus a $100 non-refundable application fee.
- Square-footless permits (pellet/wood stove, sump pump, basement gutter, foundation repair) are a flat $160.
- An accessory structure of 200 sq ft or less is a flat $20 with no certificate of occupancy or inspection; over 200 sq ft is $0.15/sq ft + $100.
- A residential demolition permit is $175; an in-ground pool is $200 plus $0.10 per linear foot of fence; an above-ground pool or hot tub is $160.
- Maryland has no statewide percentage building-permit levy - there is no 2% add-on like Virginia's USBC levy. A $50 MHIC guaranty fund fee applies to new homes.
- A separate $10,000 impact fee (Bill 24-033) applies to each new single-family or townhouse unit - not part of the building permit fee, but a major cost on new construction.
Harford County Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule
All fees below are from the official DILP fee schedule. Maryland adds no statewide levy. Per-square-foot permits add the $100 non-refundable application fee shown; new homes also add the $50 MHIC guaranty fund fee - see the methodology section.
| Project Type | DILP Building Permit Fee | Basis / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New construction, addition, or alteration (1-2 family) | $0.15 / sq ft | Plus $100 non-refundable application fee |
| Re-roofing (1-2 family) | $0.15 / sq ft | Plus $100 non-refundable application fee |
| Square-footless permit (wood stove, sump pump, basement gutter, foundation repair) | $160.00 | Flat fee |
| Accessory structure, 1-2 family, over 200 sq ft | $0.15 / sq ft | Plus $100 non-refundable application fee |
| Accessory structure, 1-2 family, 200 sq ft or under | $20.00 | No certificate of occupancy or inspection required |
| Application fee (residential) | $100.00 | Non-refundable; added to each per-SF residential permit ($200 commercial) |
| Fence | $20.00 | Plus $0.10 per foot over 250 ft |
| In-ground pool (accessory to 1-2 family) | $200.00 | Plus $0.10 per linear ft of required fence |
| Above-ground pool or hot tub (accessory to 1-2 family) | $160.00 | Swim spa is $160 + $0.10/linear ft of fence |
| Demolition (residential) | $175.00 | Commercial demolition is $275 |
| Maryland Home Builder Guaranty Fund (MHIC) fee | $50.00 | New homes; itemized on the schedule |
| Impact fee - single-family / townhouse (separate) | $10,000.00 | Bill 24-033, eff. March 1, 2025 - NOT part of the building permit fee |
Source: Harford County DILP Fee Schedule (Bill 24-013), effective January 1, 2025; PDF footers read "Revised 01/01/2026." Extracted June 8, 2026. Confirm current rates with DILP before filing.
How Harford County Calculates Building Permit Fees
| Step | What Happens | Harford County Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify project type | Match to the DILP fee schedule category. | Per-square-foot for new construction, additions, alterations, and re-roofing; flat fees for square-footless work, pools, fences, and demolition. |
| 2. Apply the base permit fee | Multiply enclosed usable square footage by the rate, or use the flat fee. | $0.15 per sq ft for per-SF work; $160 flat square-footless; $20 for an accessory structure 200 sq ft or under. |
| 3. Add the application fee | Per-square-foot residential permits add a non-refundable application fee. | $100 residential ($200 commercial). The $20 accessory and $160 flat permits do not add it. |
| 4. Add the MHIC fee on new homes | New-home permits add the Maryland Home Builder Guaranty Fund fee. | $50, itemized on the DILP schedule. |
| 5. No state percentage levy | Maryland imposes no statewide building-permit levy. | There is no 2% add-on; the building-permit total is the per-SF fee + application fee (+ $50 MHIC on new homes). |
| 6. Impact fee is separate | New residential units owe a county impact fee under Bill 24-033. | $10,000 per single-family/townhouse unit, eff. March 1, 2025 - billed separately from the building permit. |
Worked Examples
Example 1: Storage shed, 150 sq ft accessory structure
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DILP Building Permit - accessory structure 200 sq ft or under | Flat fee | $20.00 |
Note: A 1-2 family accessory structure of 200 sq ft or less is a flat $20 with no certificate of occupancy or inspection, and no application fee. A shed over 200 sq ft is billed at $0.15/sq ft + $100 instead. Source: DILP Fee Schedule p. 1.
Example 2: Re-roofing a 1,500 sq ft house
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DILP Building Permit - re-roofing | 1,500 sq ft × $0.15 | $225.00 |
| Application Fee | Non-refundable | $100.00 |
| Estimated Total | $225 + $100 | $325.00 |
Note: Re-roofing a 1-2 family home is billed per square foot at $0.15 plus the $100 application fee. Source: DILP Fee Schedule p. 1.
Example 3: Room addition, 400 sq ft
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DILP Building Permit - addition | 400 sq ft × $0.15 | $60.00 |
| Application Fee | Non-refundable | $100.00 |
| Estimated Total | $60 + $100 | $160.00 |
Note: On smaller additions the $100 application fee is the larger share of the cost. The per-SF charge scales linearly at $0.15/sq ft. Trade permits separate. Source: DILP Fee Schedule p. 1.
Example 4: New detached house, 2,400 sq ft
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DILP Building Permit - new construction | 2,400 sq ft × $0.15 | $360.00 |
| Application Fee (residential) | Non-refundable | $100.00 |
| Maryland Home Builder Guaranty Fund (MHIC) Fee | New home | $50.00 |
| Estimated Building Permit Total | $360 + $100 + $50 | $510.00 |
| Impact fee - single-family unit (SEPARATE) | Bill 24-033 | $10,000.00 |
Note: The $510.00 is the building-permit side only. A new single-family home in Harford County ALSO owes a $10,000 impact fee (Bill 24-033, effective March 1, 2025), assessed separately and shown here so it is not a surprise. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are also separate. Source: DILP Fee Schedule pp. 1, 3.
Practitioner Insight
Harford County's $0.15-per-square-foot rate is one of the lower per-SF building permit rates in the region, so on remodels and re-roofs the flat $100 application fee is usually the bigger half of your bill. For small jobs, watch the 200-square-foot line: a shed or accessory structure at or under 200 sq ft is just $20 with no inspection, but cross that line and you jump to $0.15/sq ft plus the $100 application fee.
The figure that catches new-home buyers off guard is never the per-square-foot permit fee - it is the separate $10,000 impact fee on each new single-family or townhouse unit. Treat the building permit fee as the small part of your Harford County cost on new construction, and call DILP at 410-638-3122 to confirm which charges apply to your lot before you budget.
Harford County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits
Inspections, Licenses and Permits (DILP)
Harford County Government
410-638-3122
DILP main line
harfordcountymd.gov/289
Fees, forms, inspections
Harford County Permits
Apply and pay at harfordcountymd.gov/985/Permits
When This Estimate May Not Apply
New-construction impact fee
The $10,000 single-family/townhouse impact fee (Bill 24-033, eff. March 1, 2025) is set under its own ordinance and is not part of the DILP building permit fee. On a new home it dwarfs the permit fee and is excluded from the per-SF figures here.
Trade permits are separate
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits carry their own DILP schedules (for example, plumbing is $30 application + $75 first fixture + $10 each additional) and are not included above.
Square-footage basis
The county counts enclosed usable area including basements and cellars, but excludes attics and top-half storage with ceilings under 7 1/3 ft (88 in). If your plan measures area differently, your fee will differ.
Commercial or multi-family work
This page covers one- and two-family residential permits. Commercial per-SF permits use a $200 application fee, and multi-family/mobile-home impact fees differ; do not apply these residential figures to those projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
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Harford County DILP Fee Schedule (Bill 24-013) Effective January 1, 2025; PDF footers read Revised 01/01/2026 - Harford County, MD - Primary source for all building permit fees on this page - Extracted June 8, 2026.
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Harford County DILP - Forms and Fee Schedule Current - Department landing page hosting the official fee schedule PDF and permit forms.
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Harford County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits (DILP) Current - Department home page - contact, permits portal, inspections.
Compare Harford County against neighboring Howard County, or see how the rest of the Maryland and DMV jurisdictions price the same project.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your Harford County permit cost, two related numbers complete your total budget picture:
Property tax impact after your project closes
A permitted addition or pool increases your assessed value in Harford County. See how Maryland jurisdictions calculate the ongoing property tax impact at CountyTaxTools.com.
Development impact and county surcharges
For new construction, Harford County's $10,000 impact fee far exceeds the building permit fee. Research development impact charges at ZoneFee.com.