---
title: "Kitchen Remodel Permits in Anne Arundel County | TBG"
description: "Which parts of a kitchen remodel need a permit in Anne Arundel County: walls, electrical, plumbing and gas permits, who pulls them, inspections and fees."
url: https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/kitchen-remodel-permit-anne-arundel/
last_updated: 2026-10-14
---

[TBG](https://thebrettgroup.com/) / [Home Remodeling](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/) / Kitchen permit guide

Local guide · Anne Arundel County · October 2026

# Do you need a permit for a kitchen remodel in Anne Arundel County?

It depends on what you change. Moving or removing walls needs a building permit, and new wiring, plumbing or gas lines need trade permits pulled by licensed pros. Here is how to tell, and what it costs.

Get matched with a builder who knows this

- **Walls**: Moving or removing any wall needs a building permit
- **3**: Trade permits: electrical, plumbing, gas
- **Licensed**: Trade work must be done by county-licensed pros
- **$95**: Typical electrical permit for a remodel

| Kitchen change | County permit? |
| --- | --- |
| Moving or removing a wall (load-bearing or not) | Yes, building permit |
| New or moved circuits, outlets or lighting | Yes, electrical permit |
| Moving the sink or adding a fixture | Yes, plumbing permit |
| New or moved gas range or gas line | Yes, gas permit |
| New ductwork or HVAC changes | Yes, mechanical permit |
| Interior demolition | Yes, demolition permit |
| Cabinets, counters, flooring or paint only | Not listed by the county; ask if unsure |

## 1. When a building permit is needed

Anne Arundel County requires a permit for any residential alteration that relocates or demolishes walls, "both load bearing and non-load bearing," and for interior demolition. If your kitchen remodel opens up a wall, closes one or moves a doorway, you need a building permit with construction plans drawn to scale. The county's published permit list doesn't address purely cosmetic work like new cabinets, countertops, flooring or paint; if you're unsure whether your scope needs a permit, email the permit center at permitcenterhelp@aacounty.org with your address and a description.

## 2. Trade permits

Most kitchen remodels touch at least one trade. The county requires an **electrical permit** for wiring, fixtures and devices, a **plumbing permit** for adding or relocating fixtures and piping, a **gas permit** for adding or relocating gas appliances or piping, and a **mechanical permit** for heating, cooling or ductwork. These are pulled by licensed master electricians, plumbers and gasfitters. A homeowner can pull a building permit for their own home, but the trade work must be done by tradesmen licensed in Anne Arundel County.

## 3. What inspectors look at

The county builds to the 2021 International Residential Code and the 2020 National Electrical Code. Expect rough-in inspections for each trade before walls are closed, then finals, with all trade finals passed before the final building inspection. Plans must be on site at every inspection, and a missed or inaccessible inspection costs $150.

## 4. What it costs

An electrical permit for a remodel with no service change is **$95**; with a new panel or service it runs $147 to $259. Plumbing is $51 for the first fixture and $8 for each additional one, gas is $69 for typical residential piping, and every trade permit adds a $43 application fee. If you also need a building permit, its fee is based on the cost of the work, from $86 up to $242 plus 1% of the amount over $25,000.

## 5. Older homes and historic Annapolis

Opening walls in older houses often turns up outdated wiring or plumbing that must be brought up to code once it's exposed, and homes built before 1978 require lead-safe work practices. Inside Annapolis city limits, the City of Annapolis issues the permits: its code requires a permit to alter a building or to install, alter or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system. Interior work isn't reviewed by the historic commission, but a new window or exterior vent is. See our [Annapolis historic district guide](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-historic-district-renovation/) and [remodeling ideas by house type](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/remodeling-anne-arundel-house-types/).

## Where this comes up most

[Annapolis →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/annapolis/) · [Severna Park →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/severna-park/) · [Arnold →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/arnold/) · [Crofton →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/crofton/) · [Edgewater →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/edgewater/) · [Millersville →](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/millersville/)

## Projects we match

- [Kitchen remodels](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/kitchen/anne-arundel/): Layouts, cabinets, counters and full gut renovations.
- [Additions](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/additions/anne-arundel/): Bump-outs, second stories and in-law suites.
- [Bathroom remodels](https://thebrettgroup.com/remodeling/bathroom/anne-arundel/): Primary baths, hall baths and accessibility upgrades.

## Common questions

### Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen in Anne Arundel County?

If you move or remove any wall, or change the wiring, plumbing, gas or ductwork, yes. Walls need a building permit, and each trade needs its own permit pulled by a licensed pro.

### Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets and countertops?

The county's permit list does not include cabinets, countertops, flooring or paint on their own. If the job also moves the sink, adds circuits or changes walls, permits are required. When in doubt, ask the permit center.

### Can a homeowner do their own kitchen electrical work in Anne Arundel County?

No. The county requires electrical, plumbing and mechanical work to be performed by tradesmen licensed in Anne Arundel County, who pull those permits.

### How much is an electrical permit for a kitchen remodel?

$95 for a remodel without a service change or subpanel, plus a $43 application fee.

## Official sources

[AA County: Do I need a permit?](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/permits/do-i-need-permit) · [AA County: Trade permits](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/permits/trade-permits) · [AA County: Permit fees](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/fees/permit-fees) · [AA County: Building codes](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/building-codes) · [AA County: Building inspections](https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/inspections/building-inspections) · [City of Annapolis: Building permits](https://www.annapolis.gov/1064/Building-Permit-Information)

This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules and maps change; confirm the requirements for your property with the permit office before you design or sign a contract.

## More local guides

[Renovating or adding on in a flood zone in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/flood-zone-renovation-anne-arundel/) · [Building or adding on near the water: the Critical Area explained](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/building-near-the-water-critical-area/) · [Remodeling ideas for Anne Arundel County's most common house types](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/remodeling-anne-arundel-house-types/) · [Materials that hold up near the Chesapeake](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/chesapeake-coastal-building-materials/) · [Septic upgrades and Bay Restoration Fund grants in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/septic-upgrades-bay-restoration-fund/) · [Deck permits in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/deck-permits-anne-arundel/) · [In-law suites and accessory dwelling units in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/in-law-suites-adu-anne-arundel/) · [Energy rebates for Maryland home remodels in 2026](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/energy-rebates-maryland-remodel/) · [Renovating a home in the Annapolis historic district](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-historic-district-renovation/) · [Do you need a permit to finish a basement in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/basement-finishing-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a bathroom remodel in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/bathroom-remodel-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a fence in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/fence-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a shed or detached garage in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/shed-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit for a pool or hot tub in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/pool-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a permit to replace a roof, siding or windows in Anne Arundel County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/roof-siding-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Permits for a home addition in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/home-addition-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Demolition permits in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/demolition-permit-anne-arundel/) · [How to get a building permit in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/how-to-get-building-permit-anne-arundel/) · [Buying or selling a house with unpermitted work in Anne Arundel County](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/unpermitted-work-buying-selling-anne-arundel/) · [Building permits in the City of Annapolis](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/annapolis-city-building-permits/) · [Anne Arundel County permit fee calculator](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/permit-fee-calculator-anne-arundel/) · [Do you need a building permit in Baltimore County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/baltimore-county-building-permits/) · [Do you need a building permit in Howard County?](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/howard-county-building-permits/) · [Remodeling permits in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/permits-anne-arundel-annapolis/) · [How to hire a home improvement contractor in Maryland](https://thebrettgroup.com/guides/hiring-a-contractor-maryland/)