Home < Government < County Departments < Planning and Zoning < Inspections and Permits < Permitting For Green Design

Permitting For Green Design

IS IT ALLOWED?

The Department of Planning & Zoning (PZ)  is responsible for reviewing development plans for compliance and enforcement of the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance.  The Zoning Ordinance is designed to regulate land uses, and is one tool necessary to implement the County Comprehensive Plan.  Many aspects of land use can impact adjoining properties, neighborhoods, public facilities and overall County development.  As mandated in the Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance is adopted to regulate land uses as part of the effort to promote health, safety and general welfare of Calvert County residents.

Solar Panels

Outside Town Centers - Solar Panels are permitted and can be installed after obtaining the required permits.

Within Town Centers - requirements for Solar Panels vary for each Town Center.  The panels must be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Committee for the respective Town Center prior to applying for permits.  Refer to the corresponding Town Center Zoning Ordinance for specific requirements.

Power Generating Facilities - Accessory to a Residence or Business (includes windmills)

The May 2006 Calvert County Zoning Ordinance, as amended, shall be used to determine if a use is permitted in a zoning district.  The Land Use Charts in Article 3 specify permitted, conditionally permitted, special exception and non permitted land uses by Zoning District.  Article 3 also contains use charts for the Town Centers, however the specific Town Center Zoning Ordinances should be used to determine any specific architectural review requirements.

For more information on 'IS IT ALLOWED?' contact the Department of Planning & Zoning.

ARE PERMITS REQUIRED?

Adding insulation and air sealing (sealing areas where outside air enters your home uncontrollably through cracks and openings) are two of the most significant energy efficiency improvements you can make to your home.

» This work does not require a permit unless you are opening concealed areas of a wall, ceiling or floor.

If you have single pane windows in your home replacing them with energy efficient windows can save you between 10 and 25 percent per year on heating and cooling.

» You can replace windows and doors within the existing framed openings in your home without a permit.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has called ground source heat pumps the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available.

» A grading permit is required to excavate for the installation of wells or loops and a licensed electrician will have to pull an electrical permit for the connection of the various components.

Installing a solar photovoltaic system or small wind electric system on your home will always require a licensed electrician and an electrical permit.  In most cases a building permit will be required for the construction or evaluation of the structures supporting the components of these power systems.

» Installing a solar water heating or space heating system will require a licensed plumber and a plumbing permit and in most cases a building permit.  A solar water heating system for your swimming pool will not require a permit.

HOW DO I GET THE PROPER PERMITS?

The Division of Inspections & Permits (I&P) is responsible to issuing building, grading, electrical, plumbing, and gas permits.

Once the appropriate permit applications have been completed by the applicant and processed by I&P they  will be distributed to all applicable review agencies for review and approval.  The applicant will be contacted by I&P when the permit is ready for payment.  Within 48 hours of payment a permit will be issued to the applicant and construction can proceed.  The applicant or the Master electrician/plumber is then  responsible for contacting the I&P office to schedule all required inspections.

I&P performs field inspections on these projects to ensure compliance with applicable codes.  Types of inspections conducted by staff include, but are not limited to, building construction, electrical installation, plumbing installation, fire protection, and accessibility.

Additional information on Green Design can be found by visiting the following sites:

http://www.energy.gov

http://www.ornl.gov

http://www.southface.org

http://www1.eere.energy.gov

http://www.nrel.gov

http://www.toolbase.org