Additions, Decks, Pools

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To obtain a building permit application click here to access Inspections and Permits website.

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING
Division of Inspections & Permits
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE GUIDE
Visit us on the web at: www.co.cal.md.us


ACCESSORY STRUCTURES & ADDITIONS
Procedures for Obtaining a Building Permit (Including Water/Sewer & Zoning Approval)
REVISED MAY 2006


This Guide applies to:

	(1)	additions to structures
	(2)	decks
	(3)	residential accessory uses (i.e., stationary or portable sheds, detached garages, swimming pools, accessory apartments, etc.)
	(4)	remodeling projects involving new bathrooms, bedrooms, and/or kitchens

Note for properties located within the Critical Area: A Critical Area form must also be completed and submitted if the property is located within the Critical Area.

STEP 1: Water/Sewer Approval

If the project involves a private well and/or septic system (even if no plumbing is involved in the construction), the Health Department will need to review the development proposal. Applications must be made to:
			Calvert County Health Department, Environmental Health Division
			Calvert County Services Plaza, Suite 100
			150 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Phone: 410-535-3922

Health Department staff will collect a $20.00 review fee and review the application for compliance with their regulations.

If the property is served by County water and/or sewer and you are making improvements that increase water & sewerage usage, the Water and Sewerage Division will need to review the proposed construction. Applications must be made to:
			Water and Sewerage Division
			Calvert County Services Plaza, Suite 205
			150 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Phone: 410-535-1600 ext. 2329

STEP 2: Building Permit Application & Supporting Documents

The following information must be submitted:

1.	A completed Application for Health Department/Zoning Approval and/or Building Permit.

2.	A grading permit application or grading exemption application. Note: For in-ground swimming pools greater than 21,000 gallons, a grading permit is required or a grading exemption with a cross-section drawing submitted with the application. For in-ground swimming pools less than 21,000 gallons, a grading exemption may be permitted in lieu of a grading permit if the project does not exceed the criterion.

3.	A plat or sketch of the property, drawn to scale, showing the distances from property lines and the dimensions of all proposed structures. The following guidelines apply to setbacks for accessory structures and additions:
	Most required setbacks for principal structures are shown on subdivision plats. Additions to principal structures must meet these setbacks. If no setbacks are shown on the plat, see Section 5-1.07 (Table 5-2) and Section 5-1.09 (Table 5-4) of the Zoning Ordinance.
	Detached accessory structures must meet the same front setbacks required for principal structures. See Section 5-1.10 (Table 5-5) for setback requirements for all accessory uses.
	If an accessory structure contains less than 500 square feet or less, the side and rear setbacks are 5’ each.
	If an accessory structure contains 500 square feet or more, the setbacks required for the principal structure must be met.
	Structures for the keeping of animals (dog houses, pens, etc.) must meet the same front setback as the principal dwelling and must be 25’ from the side and rear property lines.
	Accessory apartments must meet the same setbacks as the principal dwelling.

4.	For accessory apartments, a floor plan must be submitted and other conditions apply. See the Customer Assistance Guide for Accessory Apartments.

5.	If the property is in the Chesapeake Ranch Estates, White Sands, Drum Point, or the town limits of Chesapeake Beach or North Beach, written community approval is required to be submitted with the application.

	Chesapeake Ranch Estate Prop. Owners Assoc.				White Sands Civic Association
	395 Clubhouse Drive, Lusby, MD 20657				PO Box 57, Lusby, MD 20657
	410-326-3182				410-586-8201

	Drum Point Property Owners Association				Chesapeake Beach Town Hall
	401 Lake Drive, Lusby, MD 20657				8200 Bayside Road
	410-326-6148				Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732
					410-257-2230
	North Beach Town Hall
	P.O. Box 99, 8916 Chesapeake Avenue
	North Beach, MD 20714
	(301) 855-6681

6.	If the proposed construction is located within a Town Center, review the appropriate Town Center Ordinance to see if architectural review is required. If required, applicant must complete and submit an architectural review application and obtain architectural approval from the Town Center Architectural Committee and from the Planning Commission before a building permit package can be reviewed by the Department of Planning and Zoning.

	Department of Planning and Zoning, Calvert County Services Plaza, Suite 304,
	150 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Phone: 410-535-2348

7.	If Board of Appeals approval is required or has been received, a copy of the approved decision and plat/drawing must be submitted.

8.	If the property is located within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, refer to the Critical Area Form for additional required information and procedures.

9.	If the property is in the Flood Hazard Area, see Customer Assistance Guide – Permit Requirements for Construction in the Floodplain.

10.	If a lot is less than one-half acre and is located in a small-lot community without an approved stormwater management plan, then impervious surface regulations apply. See Section 5-1.09.F.4 of the Zoning Ordinance for detailed requirements.

NOTE: The Department of Planning and Zoning requires information in items 3 through 10. If not submitted with the application, applications will be held by Planning & Zoning until provided.

See the Calvert Soil Conservation Service Office for the Calvert County Sediment and Erosion Control Guidelines.

	Mailing Address:			Location:
	Calvert Soil Conservation Service			Calvert Soil Conservation Service
	P.O. Box 657			Kaine Building, Duke Street
	Prince Frederick, MD 20678			Prince Frederick, MD 20678

STEP 3: Processing of the Building Permit

1.	Once the water/sewer application is approved by Environmental Health and/or the Division of Water and Sewerage, applications will be forwarded to the Division of Inspections and Permits.

2.	The Division of Inspections and Permits will send the application to all applicable County agencies, including the Department of Planning & Zoning, for review and approval.

3.	Upon receiving all necessary approvals, the Division of Inspections and Permits will accept payment for and issue the building permit.

	Division of Inspections and Permits
	Calvert County Services Plaza, Suite 201, 150 Main Street
	Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Phone: 410-535-2155

*Application numbers (AP#) are assigned by the Division of Inspections & Permits when the application is accepted. The status of the application can then be checked on-line at:*
www.co.cal.md.us/permlkups/default.aspx

4.	Inspections are required. See the Customer Assistance Guide for inspections procedures.

To print this Guide, the Building Permit Application, and other forms from Adobe Acrobat, click here.