| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Register | Create a Land Use Navigator account |
| 2. Apply | Choose the record type, enter the address and contacts, upload PDFs |
| 3. Pay | Pay at checkout; the record number is assigned after payment |
| 4. Review | Track each reviewer's status and comments online |
| 5. Issue | Download the permit and approved plans; keep them on site |
| 6. Inspect | Schedule inspections online or by phone |
1. Create an account
Go to the county's Land Use Navigator and choose "Register for an Account." Enter a username, email, password and security question, choose Individual or Organization, and add your contact details and mailing address. Pay from the same account that creates the record: payments must come from that account. Usually your contractor applies, but homeowners can apply for their own work where the county allows it.
2. Apply
Under Permits, choose Create an Application and pick the record type. Choosing the wrong one means reapplying and paying again, so use the county's "Do I need a permit?" list or email [email protected] if unsure. Then:
- Enter the address, parcel and owner, and the contacts (one must be the Applicant).
- Upload documents as PDFs. For a house, addition or alteration that usually means the application, construction plans, a site plan, a Critical Area worksheet and a standard grading plan application.
- Review, certify and pay. Unpaid temporary records are deleted after 30 days.
3. Review and how long it takes
Track progress under Record Info, Processing Status, which shows each review's due date and comments. A green check means that review is finished, not that it was approved. The county doesn't publish target review times for residential permits; simple trade permits move fastest, and projects that need zoning, Critical Area, grading or Health Department review take longer. If the final manager review sits more than 5 business days, the county suggests calling the Permit Center.
4. Issuance and inspections
Once issued, download the permit and approved plans from Attachments. The permit (or a copy) and the approved drawings must stay on site until the project is finished. The permit must be active for 24 hours before the first inspection. Schedule inspections in the Land Use Navigator under Inspections, or by phone at (410) 222-7784 on weekdays. All trade finals must pass before the building final.
5. Expiration and extensions
A permit expires if work hasn't started within one year of issuance. Before it expires, you can ask in writing for an extension of up to a year, for a $50 fee, if you can show a hardship. An expired permit can sometimes be renewed for the same fee; ask the Permit Center about the deadline for your record.
6. Need help in person?
The Permit Center is at 2664 Riva Road in Annapolis, (410) 222-7730, [email protected]. It has scanner kiosks for documents up to 11x17. Note that the Land Use Navigator is scheduled to be offline from the evening of November 6 to the morning of November 9, 2026. Addresses inside Annapolis city limits apply to the city instead; see our City of Annapolis permit guide. Estimate fees with our permit fee calculator.
