Building Permit Plan Requirements

Under this policy (dated March 3, 2023), grading permit exemptions will no longer be issued and, with limited exceptions as noted below, applicants will no longer be required to submit grading permit applications for projects that have a Grading activities that disturb less than 5,000 square feet of land area and disturb less than 100 cubic yards of earth but will need to submit a Plot Plan5. At a minimum a Plot Plan must be to scale and include the following: boundary of property, all existing and proposed structures, driveway location, location of well and/or septic, all recorded easements (i.e. slope, forest retention, drainage, access, sewage disposal, etc.), existing and proposed wood line, existing and proposed contours, and all existing stormwater management devices. However, for projects exceeding a Limit of Disturbance greater than 5,000 SF and excavation/fill greater than 100 CY, a plan prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer, Land Surveyor or Landscape Architect which accurately depicts existing physical conditions, including location and type of storm water management devices will be required. Exemptions from submitting such plans shall no longer be granted.


a. Inground Pools1;
b. New Residential Dwelling and Commercial Building Foundations1;
c. Modifications to existing inground or underground storm water management devices or storm water conveyance systems2;
d. Modifications to roofs or other existing impervious areas that alter drainage areas in excess of 5,000 SF2;
e. Shore Erosion Control Measures3;
f. Construction within the Critical Area3;
g. Extraction of root systems, including those of invasive vine material, within the Critical Area3;
h. Retaining Walls4
 


1 A completed grading permit application is required regardless of Limit of Disturbance area and excavation/fill volume, however a plan prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer, Land Surveyor or Landscape Architect which accurately depicts existing physical conditions, including storm water management devices is NOT required if grading activities disturb less than 5,000 square feet of land area and disturb less than 100 cubic yards. Plan prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer, Land Surveyor or Landscape Architect is required if grading activities disturb more than 5,000 square feet of land area and disturb more than 100 cubic yards.

2 Storm water management computations shall be provided.

3 A completed grading permit application is required regardless of Limit of Disturbance area or excavation/fill volume, however a plan prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer, Land Surveyor or Landscape Architect which accurately depicts existing physical conditions, including storm water management devices is NOT required if grading activities disturb less than 5,000 square feet of land area and disturb less than 100 cubic yards. Construction for purposes of this policy shall include all man-made activity not already addressed under another application. Examples of applicability include but are not limited to patios, driveways, walkways and grading under 5,000sf. Examples of exclusions include prefabricated sheds (when placement does not require earthwork), fences, etc. Please note marine construction (pier, shore erosion control, etc.) if proposing impacts above MHW will require a grading permit. If only accessing via land (all impacts above MHW must be temporary) then only a buffer management plan is required
 4 A completed grading permit application is required regardless of Limit of Disturbance area or excavation/fill volume, however a plan prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer, Land Surveyor or Landscape Architect which accurately depicts existing physical conditions, including storm water management devices is NOT required if grading activities disturb less than 5,000 square feet of land area and disturb less than 100 cubic yards . If the retaining wall is 3 feet or greater structure design plans for the retaining wall must be submitted for review. 

5 Stormwater Management may be required if the disturbance proposed is considered cumulative disturbance as part of an overall project as determined by the department of public works.



Final Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Plan Checklist for Residential Projects


Grading Permit Application Policy

Building Permit Plan Minimum Submittal Requirements


Building Permit plans that do not include the following information will be returned to the applicant by the review agencies.

  Information Required  
1 Property Lines  
2 Building Restriction Lines  
3 Any existing structures on the property  
4 Distances to two closest adjacent property lines from proposed structure/addition  Pools-include pool decking
5 Please specify the anticipated cut and fill volume on the application . (If this is 100 cubic yards or greater, a Grading Permit is required.) Pools-amount of soils to be removed for installation of a pool
6 Erosion & Sediment control  
6.1 E&S control notes (if SFD on plan. If not, supply as separate document) (add link).  
6.2 Site access  
6.3 Limits of disturbance  Pools-include pool decking
6.4 Stockpile area  
6.5 Disposition of soils  
6.6 Provide a note if the disposition of soils are to be removed from the site or spread on the site  
7 Existing topography (contours)  Calvert County Interactive Maps
8 Existing stormwater management structures (add link to types/examples)  
9 Water and Sewer Structures: Location and distance (of any part of the water/sewer system) to proposed structures (add link to W/S page of standard details), including septic recovery area (add link to PIA request to Env Health).  
9.1 Public Water, Public Sewer  
9.1.1 Sewer and Water house connection lines (house to main line), include applicable county standard details  
9.1.2 Location of water meter & sewer cleanout, include applicable county standard details  
9.1.3 Location and type of Grinder pump (if applicable)  
9.2 Well, Public Sewer  
9.2.1 Well: Distance from structure to well  
9.2.2 Sewer: House connection line (house to main line), include applicable county standard details.  
9.2.3 Sewer: Location of sewer cleanout, include applicable county standard details.  
9.2.4 Sewer: Location and type of Grinder pump (if applicable)  
9.3 Public Water, Septic  
9.3.1 Septic: Distance from structure to septic  
9.3.2 Water: House connection line (house to main line), include applicable county standard details.  
9.3.3 Water: Location of water meter and size, include applicable county standard details  
9.4 Well, Septic  
9.4.1 Distance from structure to both well and septic.  
10 Floor Plan of existing and proposed structures/renovations, Rooms must be labeled Accessory Structures/Additions (sinks, bathroom/toilets/kitchen}
11 Property Address  
12 Property Owner Name  
13 North Arrow  
14 Scale  
15 Subdivision Name  
16 Date of lot creation  MD Property Search
17 Map, Parcel, Lot, Block, Section Number. MD Property Search
18 Provide the following note on the plans if less than 5,000 square feet of disturbance is proposed: “Per the Calvert County Stormwater Management Ordinance, Section 123-6.C Exemptions, this site proposes to disturb less than 5,000 square feet of land area; including new and redevelopment and is therefore exempt from stormwater management.”  
19 Provide a note on the plans stating: “The lot shall be graded to provide a minimum of 6 inches of fall within the first 10 feet away from the house.”  

Note: Further information may be required by the reviewer after submittal