| Basement project | County permit? |
|---|---|
| Finishing a basement as living space | Yes, building permit |
| New wiring, outlets or lighting | Yes, electrical permit (licensed electrician) |
| Adding a bathroom or wet bar | Yes, plumbing permit (licensed plumber) |
| Heating, cooling or ductwork | Yes, mechanical permit |
| Waterproofing with drains or a sump pump | Yes, its own permit |
| New window wells or areaways | Yes, and a site plan is also required |
1. What the county requires
Anne Arundel County lists finishing a basement, "improvements to a basement to use as livable space," as permit-required work under the Residential Single Family Dwelling permit. Moving or removing walls, load-bearing or not, also needs a permit. Submit construction plans drawn to scale through the county's Land Use Navigator, plus a site plan if you are adding window wells or areaways.
2. Trade permits are separate
Electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical work each need their own permit, and the county says that work must be done by tradesmen licensed in Anne Arundel County. A homeowner can pull the building permit for their own home but not the trade permits. All trade permits must pass their final inspections before the final building inspection.
3. What inspectors check
Bedrooms need an escape window. Every basement needs at least one emergency escape and rescue opening, and each bedroom needs one with a net clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet, at least 24 inches high and 20 inches wide, with the sill no more than 44 inches above the floor. Ceiling height: at least 7 feet in habitable rooms, 6 feet 8 inches elsewhere, and 6 feet 4 inches under beams and ducts. Smoke alarms are required on each level, in each bedroom and outside each sleeping area, hardwired with battery backup. Habitable rooms must be at least 70 square feet, stairs need 6 feet 8 inches of headroom, and the electrical panel needs a clear working space 30 inches wide and 36 inches deep. Bathrooms with tile need water-resistant backer board behind it.
4. On septic? Count your bedrooms
If your home is on a private septic system or well, the Health Department reviews any project that adds living space. The application lists existing and proposed bedrooms, and the septic system must be shown to handle the larger home. A basement bedroom can be the deciding factor; see our septic guide.
5. Inspections and fees
Expect rough-in inspections for each trade, then framing, insulation and final building inspections, scheduled through the Land Use Navigator or at 410-222-7784 once the permit has been active for 24 hours. The building permit fee is based on the cost of the work: $147 for $5,001–$10,000, $242 for $20,001–$25,000, and $242 plus 1% of the amount over $25,000 for larger jobs, plus a $43 application fee. An electrical alteration permit is $95 without a service change, and plumbing starts at $51 for the first fixture plus $8 for each additional one.
6. Thinking about an in-law suite?
A finished basement with its own entrance and kitchen is an accessory dwelling unit, with its own zoning rules. See our in-law suite guide. Inside Annapolis city limits, the City of Annapolis issues permits instead of the county.
