Representative photoRemodeling and building in Catonsville
Catonsville became one of Baltimore's early commuter suburbs once horsecar and then streetcar lines reached it in the late 1800s. Victorian-era houses still stand alongside later neighborhoods, with Patapsco Valley State Park along its edge.
Permits in Catonsville
Catonsville is unincorporated, so permits come from Baltimore County's Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI) in Towson, filed online. There is no county historic district in Catonsville, but some individual houses are county landmarks, so check the landmark list before you change an older home's exterior.
More detail in our Baltimore County permit guide.
What to plan for in Catonsville
Older homes
Victorian and early-1900s houses often need new wiring and plumbing during a remodel. In Baltimore County, plumbing and gas permits can only be pulled by a county-licensed plumber or gasfitter, and master electricians must register with the county.
Sloped lots
Lots toward the Patapsco valley can be steep. Retaining walls over 3 feet need a county permit, with extra documents required at 4 feet and up.
County landmarks
If a house is on the Baltimore County Landmarks List, exterior changes need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and decks, fences and sheds need a permit at any size.
Projects we match in Catonsville
TBG project · MillersvilleKitchen remodels
Layouts, cabinets, counters and full gut renovations.
Representative photoBathroom remodels
Primary baths, hall baths and accessibility upgrades.
Representative photoAdditions
Bump-outs, second stories and in-law suites.
Representative photoBasement finishing
Living space, egress, bathrooms and waterproofing.
Representative photoNew custom homes
Build on your lot with a registered Maryland home builder.
Representative photoDecks & exteriors
Decks, porches, siding, windows and roofing.
Common questions
Who issues building permits in Catonsville?
Baltimore County's Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI) in Towson. Applications are filed online; call 410-887-3953 to ask whether a project needs a permit.
Who does the work?
An independently owned contractor licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (and, for new homes, registered as a Maryland home builder). TBG makes the introduction; you contract directly with the builder.
Does matching cost anything?
No. It is free to homeowners. TBG is paid by its partner contractors.
How much of a deposit can a contractor take?
Under Maryland law, a home improvement contractor can collect no more than one-third of the contract price when the contract is signed.
