Section 109. Fees

109.1 Permit fees.

A permit for construction, alteration, demolition, moving, or other building operation is not valid unless the fees prescribed in this Code have been paid, nor is any amendment or extension to a permit valid unless the prescribed additional fee has been paid. Payment must be made before issuance of the permit, amendment, or extension.

109.2 Other fees.

The payment of the fee for all work done concurrently or in connection with the work contemplated by a permit does not relieve the applicant or permit holder from the payment of other fees prescribed by law for water taps, sewer connections, electrical permits, signs and display structures, marquees, or other appurtenant structures, or fees for inspections, occupancy permits, or other privileges or requirements, whether within or without the jurisdiction of the Department.

109.3 Minimum fees and service charges.

Fees or service charges for the various permits, certificates, inspections, tests, or other services provided under this Code are as specified in this § 109. Unless otherwise specified, the minimum fee or service charge is $25. All fees are to be rounded to the nearest dollar.

109.4 Refunds; credits.

109.4.1 General.

No fee or other service charge paid for any application, permit, certificate, inspection, test, or other service may be refunded, in whole or in part, except as provided in this § 109.4.

109.4.2 Limitations.

Except as provided in § 109.4.3:

1. if no work has been done nor any privilege enjoyed under a permit, certificate, inspection, test, or other service, a refund may be granted of not more than 50% of the fee or service charge paid; and

2. in no event may any refund be granted on any fee or charge of less than $1,000.

109.4.3 Administrative error.

If the Building Official revokes a permit because of an administrative error that, through no fault of the applicant, was made in issuing the permit, the applicant is entitled to:

1. apply for and receive a full refund of the fee paid for the revoked permit, or

2. request that the fee paid for the revoked permit be applied and credited to the fee due for a new permit to replace the one revoked.

109.5 Service charges.

109.5.1 Duplicate or additional documents.

The charges for copies or duplicates of permits, certificates, and other documents are:

1. for photocopies of documents other than approved plans, $1 for the 1^st page and 50¢ for each additional page,

2. for duplicates of permits other than approved plans, $10 for each duplicate issued, and

3. for copies or duplicates of approved plans, $10 per sheet plus any charge involved in reproducing them.

Exception: The fee for photocopies of violation notices, condemnation notices, and records related to either, will be waived if the notices are:

1. for a residential property, and

2. the copies and the fee waiver are requested by:

a. the current owner of the property, as evidenced by a recorded deed, or

b. a current occupant of the property, as evidenced by an executed lease or other record satisfactory to the Building Official.

109.5.1.1 Deposit for copies.

The Building Official may require a deposit in the amount of $100 for any copy or duplicate request that:

1. is for photocopies of documents, other than approved plans or permits, estimated to be in excess of 200 pages; or

2. is for photocopies or duplicates of more than 10 approved plans or permits.

109.5.2 Partial permits.

For a partial permit issued under this Code:

1. the charge is at the rate of:

a. $10 for each $1,000 worth of work up to $1,000,000 worth of work, plus

b. $5 for each $1,000 worth of work in excess of $1,000,000, and

2. the minimum charge is:

a. $100 for 1- and 2-family dwellings, and

b. $250 for all other structures.

109.5.3 Permit extensions.

For a permit extension issued under this Code, the charge is as follows:

1. If the application for extension is made within 90 days after the permit expires, the fee for the extension is $25.

2. If the application for extension is made between 31-90 days after the permit expires, the fee for the extension is 50% of the original permit fee. Alternatively, the applicant may apply for a new permit for the work remaining to be completed, with the fee for that permit to be based on the scope of that remaining work.

109.5.4 Permit amendments.

For an amendment to a permit, the charge is as follows:

1. For each amendment that involves a work area not originally applied for, the charge is the appropriate fee for the work contemplated, with a minimum fee as follows:

2. For each amendment within the work area originally applied for, the charge is the appropriate fee for the work contemplated, with a minimum fee as follows:

3. To add or change a contractor, the charge is $25 per application.

109.5.5 Preliminary Project Review.

For a "Preliminary Review" of a proposed project, the charge is $50 for each half hour.

109.5.6 Revised drawings.

For revised drawings, the charge is $10 for each sheet submitted, with a minimum charge of $25.

109.5.7 Application fee.

Before an application for any permit or certificate is processed, the applicant must pay a nonrefundable application fee as follows:

1. For applications that do not require the submission of construction documents for plan review:

2. For applications that require the submission of construction documents for plan review:

109.5.8 Inspection fees.

109.5.8.1 Overtime fee.

For each inspection or reinspection that, at the request of the owner or owner's agent, is made outside normal working hours, a charge is imposed at the rate of $50 an hour for each inspector, with a minimum charge, payable in advance, of $200 for each inspector.

109.5.8.2 Reinspection fee.

If the owner or owner's agent schedules an inspection and, for any reason, a reinspection of the same work is required, the charge, payable in advance, is as follows:

1. $50 for a 1^st reinspection,

2. $100 for a 2^nd reinspection, and

3. $125 for a 3^rd and every subsequent reinspection.

109.5.9 Penalty surcharge.

A surcharge is imposed on any permit that is issued for work begun or completed:

1. without a permit,

2. beyond the scope of a permit or in a manner inconsistent with plans or drawings approved as part of a permit application, or

3. during the suspension or after the revocation of a permit for that work.

109.5.9.1 Amount – In general.

Except as otherwise specified in this § 109.5.9, the amount of the surcharge is the greater of $1,000 or 50% of the permit fee.

109.5.9.2 Amount – Demolition work.

For demolition work done without the proper permit or in violation of the terms of a permit, the surcharge is 50¢ for each cubic foot of the structure before the demolition.

109.5.9.3 Reductions.

The Building Official may reduce the amount of a surcharge imposed by this § 109.5.9:

1. on written application and justifiable cause demonstrated, and

2. in accordance with applicable standards and criteria contained in the rules and regulations adopted under this Code.

109.5.9.4 Surcharge in addition to other fines, etc.

A surcharge imposed by this § 109.5.9 is in addition to any other fine or penalty imposed under this Code or any other law or regulation.

109.5.9.5 Unpaid surcharge.

An unpaid surcharge shall be collected and a lien placed in the manner set forth in § 118 of this Code.

109.5.10 Violation reports.

The charge for a violation report, whether obtained from the Department or from the Bureau of Liens, is $30, in addition to the charge for a lien certificate.

109.5.11 Uncollected payments.

The charge for each unsuccessful attempt to collect a payment is $50.

109.6 Fee schedules.

109.6.1 Permit fees for construction work.

a. New buildings and additions.

1. 1- and 2-family dwellings

$10 for each 1,000 cubic feet (28.31 cu. m.) or fraction of 1,000 cubic feet (28.31 cu. m.) of gross volume, including all basements and cellars.

2. All others

$20 for each 1,000 cubic feet (28.31 cu. m.) or fraction of 1,000 cubic feet (28.31 cu. m.) of adjusted gross volume, including all basements and cellars. For this calculation, the gross volume of the building is adjusted to exclude, for each story of the building, the volume attributable to any area of that story that is more than 20 feet (6.10 m) above the floor.

b. Structures accessory to a principal occupancy.

c. Alterations and repairs.

1. 1- and 2-family dwellings

$0.30 per square foot or fraction of a square foot of affected gross floor area

Exception: For the following, the fee is $10 for each $1,000 or fraction of $1,000 estimated cost, subject to a minimum fee of $50 –

Alterations limited to the exterior.

Alterations limited to the installation of interior doors when no other work is contemplated on the permit.

2. All others

$0.35 per square foot or fraction of a square foot of affected gross floor area

Exception: For the following types of work, the fee is $12 for each $1,000 or fraction of $1,000 estimated cost, with a minimum fee of $150 –

Alterations limited to the exterior.

Alterations limited to the installation of interior doors when no other work is contemplated on the permit.

Alterations limited to construction of new-tenant demising wall.

Alterations limited to creation of new-tenant shell space.

d. Interior only demolition.

$0.02 per square foot or fraction of a square foot of affected gross floor area

e. Chimneys, stacks, towers.

f. Retaining walls.

$10 for each 100 square feet (9.29 sq. m.) or fraction of 100 square feet (9.29 sq. m.) of area above footing.

g. Fences.

$10 for each 100 linear feet (30.38 m) or fraction of 100 linear feet (30.38 m).

h. Grading (excavating or filling).

i. Paving or surfacing.

j. Erecting, placing, hanging, or reconstructing signs.

k. Installing on-premises advertising signs.

For erecting, placing, hanging, or reconstructing any consolidated area of signage, as described in Baltimore City Zoning Code Title 17, Subtitle 3 {"Sign Dimension and Quantity Measurement Methodology"}, the fee is $1 a square foot, with a minimum of $13 for each consolidated area of signage.

The rates in items j and k are based on the gross square feet area of the sign face or faces. No fee is charged for signs less than 100 square feet (9.29 sq. m.) and used exclusively for advertising the sale or lease of the property on which they are posted.

For repairing, painting, and rehanging any sign in the same place, the fee is $25 for each sign.

l. Demolition (other than interior only).

m. Temporary structures.

For each temporary structure, the fee is $20 a year for each 500 square feet or fraction of 500 square feet of gross floor area.

n. Moving buildings.

$50 each

o. Swimming pools.

p. Occupancy permit (including any accompanying use permit issued under Zoning Code).

q. Sediment and erosion control.

Sediment and erosion control permit and review fees will be assessed by the Department of Public Works in accordance with the fee schedule established from time to time by the Board of Estimates.

r. DPW and DoT review charges.

A fee of $100 will be charged for each review of a permit application by the Department of Public Works or by the Department of Transportation. Additional fees for consultation meetings with the applicant will be charged at the rate of $50 for each half hour.

109.6.2 Permit fees for electrical work.

a. Electrical service wiring and equipment to be installed, replaced, or relocated, including provision for connection of meter.

1. Rating in Amperes

For services over 600 volts, add $100.

2. Installing conduits and duct banks only

3. Sub feeders for additional meters only

4. Photovoltaic system

b. Electrical wiring for new branch circuits, feeders, and extensions to or replacements of branch circuits.

A 3-wire or 4-wire branch circuit serving single phase loads is considered to be a 2- or 3-branch circuit respectively.

A 3-wire branch circuit serving only 3-phase loads or serving a single appliance is considered to be a 1-branch circuit.

c. Fixtures or devices only.

For installing electrical fixtures or devices only:

$5 for each additional 25 or fraction of 25 fixtures or devices.

d. Temporary electrical wiring.

1. For bazaars, cinema shows, dances, displays, exhibitions, fairs, plays, rummage sales, sporting events, suppers, and other similar assemblies.

$20 for each 5 kilowatts or fraction of 5 kilowatts of feeder capacity supplying the wiring.

If the net proceeds from any of these events are to be used exclusively for the benefit of a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable or religious organization, then, on the organization's submission with the permit application of evidence documenting its qualifications, the permit fee is waived.

2. For carnivals and circuses.

$25 for each 5 kilowatts or fraction of 5 kilowatts of feeder capacity supplying the wiring.

If the net proceeds from any of these events are to be used exclusively for the benefit of a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable or religious organization, then, on the organization's submission with the permit application of evidence documenting its qualifications, the permit fee is waived.

3. For construction purposes.

The fee is the same as for permanent installations, and the permits must be applied for separately.

e. Electrical semiannual permits for maintenance work.

The fee for each permit is based on the total service of the plant.

Rating of Service in Amperes

f. Not otherwise classified.

g. Low voltage \ wiring.

h. Telecommunications.

i. Installing electrical transformers only.

109.6.3 Permit fees for mechanical work.

a. Fuel-burning equipment and appliances.

Replacement of units same as new

b. Air conditioning systems.

c. Hydronic and steam-heating systems.

Replacement of unit same as new

d. Distribution systems.

e. Exhaust systems.

$5 for each 1,000 cubic feet (28.31 cu. m.) of air per minute

f. Unfired pressure vessels.

$50 each

g. Tanks for all liquids, including propane gas cylinders.

LP gas cylinders in the aggregate of 1,000 gallons (3,780 L) or fraction of 1,000 gallons (3,780 L) are considered 1 tank.

h. Pumps and dispensers.

i. Fire extinguishing systems.

j. Plumbing and on-site utilities.

k. Installing elevators, escalators, etc.

109.6.4 Fees for certificates.

a. Electrical certificates of approval.

1. $10 each when issued as part of original permit.

2. $20 each when issued separately.

b. Mechanical certificates of approval.

1. $10 each when issued as part of original permit.

2. $20 each when issued separately.

c. Certificates of completion or other.

1. $5 each when issued as part of original permit.

2. $10 each when issued separately.

109.6.5 Fees for inspection registration permits.

For inspection registration permits, the fees are as follows:

a. Public assemblies – Annual.

For public assemblies, the annual fee is:

If the net proceeds from any of these assemblies are to be used continuously and exclusively for the benefit of a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable or religious organization, then, on the organization's submission with the permit application of evidence documenting its qualifications, the permit fee is waived.

b. Public assemblies – Short term.

For public assemblies for which an annual permit has not been obtained, fees are charged as follows for each 10,000 square feet (929.03 sq. m.) or fraction of 10,000 square feet (929.03 sq. m.):

If the net proceeds from any of these activities, other than amusement devices, are to be used exclusively for the benefit of a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable or religious organization, then, on the organization's submission with the permit application of evidence documenting its qualifications, the permit fee is waived.

c. Roof tanks and roof signs.

For roof tanks and roof signs, the annual fee is:

109.6.6 Fees for miscellaneous work.

Permit fees for miscellaneous work, operations, and other purposes, not elsewhere provided for in this Code, are charged at the rate of $10 for each $1,000 or fraction of $1,000 of estimated cost.

109.7 Building Code Permit Tax.

A tax is levied and imposed on every issuance of a permit under this Code. The amount of the tax is 5% of the final cost of that permit rounded up to the nearest whole dollar. The funds so collected are to be deposited to the General Fund and accounted for in a revenue account entitled "Homeless Relief Assistance", with the legislative intent that an equivalent amount be appropriated in the future for the relief of the homeless.