Calvert County Launches Two-Day Review For Some Home Improvement Permits

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County residents planning certain home improvements will soon be able to request an expedited building permit review that could be completed within two business days.

The new expedited permitting program begins Sept. 1 and will be available for qualifying residential projects outside the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.

Eligible projects include decks, porches, swimming pools, roof-mounted solar panels and interior renovations that do not add square footage. Garages, sheds and carports smaller than 500 square feet may also qualify.

The program will also cover some foundation and crawl-space repairs, basement waterproofing and pellet or wood stove installations that do not involve adding a chimney.

Applications must be submitted through the county’s online permitting portal. County staff will first evaluate each submission for completeness and determine whether the project qualifies for expedited processing.

If accepted, the applicant will receive instructions from the Calvert County Environmental Health Department for paying the required review fee. All necessary reviewing agencies are expected to examine the application within two business days after that payment is received.

A two-day review does not guarantee approval or mean every permit will be issued within that period. Applications must receive approval from all required agencies, and applicants must then pay the remaining permit fees. Once those payments are received, the county said a qualifying permit may be issued the same day.

The county also cautioned that incomplete applications, staffing shortages, office closures and other unexpected circumstances could delay processing.

The expedited option will not be available for new single-family homes, commercial construction, accessory dwelling units or basement finishing. Projects requiring a variance and additions that create new living space are also excluded.

Other ineligible projects include structures measuring 500 square feet or larger, work involving at least 5,000 square feet of land disturbance and properties with active code enforcement cases.

Projects within the Critical Area will continue through the standard review process because of the additional environmental requirements governing development near the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The program is intended to shorten the review process for smaller, comparatively straightforward home projects while leaving more complicated applications under the county’s regular permitting procedures.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning Sept. 1. Residents can review eligibility requirements and monitor submitted applications through the Calvert County online permitting system.

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