| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can I see a house's permit history? | Yes, search the Land Use Navigator by address, no account needed |
| Must a seller disclose unpermitted work? | The Maryland form asks about it directly (item 18a) |
| Can unpermitted work be legalized? | Yes, with an after-the-fact permit and inspections |
| What does that cost? | The regular permit fee plus a $150 investigation fee |
1. Check the permit history
Anyone can search Anne Arundel County permits in the Land Use Navigator without an account: use the Permits tab with the street number and the start of the street name. Some documents are restricted. For older records, file a Public Information Act request with Inspections and Permits; the county responds within 30 days and may charge copying fees. Compare what you find against the listing: a finished basement, a deck, an added bathroom or an enclosed porch with no permit on file is worth asking about.
2. What Maryland sellers must disclose
Under Real Property §10-702, a seller gives the buyer either a disclosure statement or an "as is" disclaimer on the Maryland Real Estate Commission form. The disclosure form (revised August 2026) asks directly whether permits were issued for improvements and whether they passed inspection (item 18a), and also asks about zoning and setback violations and open flood, Critical Area or historic district violations. Even with a disclaimer, sellers must disclose latent defects they actually know about. If the buyer doesn't get the form before signing, the buyer may rescind before receiving it or within 5 days after, and get the deposit back.
3. How to legalize unpermitted work
Apply for the permit as you would for new work. When work started without a permit, the county investigates before issuing one and charges a $150 investigation fee on top of the regular permit fee. Inspectors need to see the work, so be ready to open walls or ceilings at key spots, and to bring the work up to code if it doesn't pass. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work need licensed tradespeople to pull the trade permits.
4. Penalties
Work without a required permit is a civil offense in the county code, with fines of $500 for a first violation and $1,000 after that, and each day can count as a separate violation. Ignoring a stop-work order carries a fine of up to $1,000. Code enforcement cases end with abatement, which often means an after-the-fact permit.
5. For buyers and sellers
- Buyers: search permit history before the inspection, ask the seller about anything missing, and have your agent consider an inspection or repair contingency.
- Sellers: legalizing work before listing is usually smoother than negotiating it mid-contract. Start early: the review and inspections take time.
This is general information, not legal advice; talk to your agent or a real estate attorney about your contract. Need a contractor to bring work up to code? Get matched.
