Permits Requiring ProjectDox Review (ePlans)
Please review the permits requiring ProjectDox submission checklist to determine if you will need to go through the ProjectDox Review process.
Applying for a Permit that requires ProjectDox Review
In your permit application, select the permit category option (residential or commercial combo permit):
To learn more, see the Step by Step guides to apply for a permit.
- To access your legacy (created before Feb. 3, 2025) projects, click on the Log In to ProjectDox link below.
- To apply for a new permit or view projects created after Feb. 3, 2025, click on the Create or Log In to E-Permits link below.
Log In to ProjectDox (for legacy projects) Create/Log In to E-Permits Account
Plans Review
(410) 396-3460 417 E. Fayette St. Rm. 101
The Plans Review section in DHCD serves as the focal point for the plans review process.
The Plans Review section reviews the construction plan set for architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing code compliance. Each project is assigned an architectural/structural, electrical, and mechanical/plumbing plans examiner. The engineers and architects of Plans Review work directly with the project design engineers and architects. In order to facilitate large projects, preliminary meetings prior to the submittal of plans are available for project design architects and engineers for a fee of $50 per half hour.
The Plans Review section routes the plan sets to the Plans Review coordinator for pertinent city departments, which could include the Department of Public Works, the Health Department, the Planning Department, and the Fire Department. Each department has a distinct scope of responsibility and applicants must engage directly with the department to resolve any outstanding issues within its scope of responsibility.
If revised plans are required, they must be uploaded through the ‘Respond and Resubmit’ task within your permit account under the ‘Plans Review’ tab for the record at the end of each review cycle. The Plans Coordinator will then recirculate the revisions to the relevant departments for review. There are fees associated with revised plans. Ultimately the various departments will transmit their comments and approvals back to Plans Coordinator for the final site and construction plan set assembly and building permit fee assessment.
Referred to each department:
Department of Planning
(410) 396-7526 - 417 E. Fayette St. 8th Fl
The Department of Planning is involved with projects which are located within certain specific areas or are subject to approval by various committees.
Specific areas include:
- Urban renewal areas
- Planned Unit Developments (PUD)
- Local Historic Districts and Baltimore City Landmarks
- Subdivision and/or Development Plan
- Flood plains
- Critical Area
Committees include:
- Site Plan Review Committee
- Planning Commission
- Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP)
- Urban Design and Architecture Advisory Panel (UDAAP)
- Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals (BMZA)
- City Council
The Department of Planning is also involved with projects which require four or more parking spaces and those projects which trigger Landscape Manual requirements and/or Forest Conservation review (grading of 5,000 sq. ft. or more).
The Land Use and Urban Design Division coordinates project development and permit review. The Land Use and Urban Design Division ensures that development proposals are in line with the Comprehensive Master Plan, aesthetically pleasing, within the character of the respective neighborhood, and fiscally beneficial to the City of Baltimore. The Division serves as the first stop for development in the City of Baltimore.
If a project includes parking, loading, new buildings, significant grading, or is in a special district (such as an Urban Renewal Plan Area, local historic district, etc.), it is advisable to contact this division to schedule a pre-development meeting and later a site plan review committee meeting prior to permit submittal. The planning staff will also provide appropriate community contacts. Once the project is approved, the Department of Planning will provide Plans Examining with a report of its comments.
Department of Public Works (DPW)
(410) 396-0732, 3001 Druid Park Drive
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for approving any connections to the public water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities, as part of DOT’s right-of-way permitting process. DPW is also responsible for approving stormwater management and erosion and sediment control (SWM/ESC) as part of DHCD’s building and grading permits.
Any project which involves land disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more requires SWM / ESC plan approval. Projects which involve land disturbance of less than 5,000 square feet in area, but exceed 100 cubic yards in disturbance volume (cut plus fill volumes) still require ESC plan approval. During the planning stage of such a project, applicants should contact the Plans Review and Inspection Section to discuss project requirements.
Contact dpw.plansreview@baltimorecity.gov if you have any questions regarding the Plans Review and Inspection Section requirements or the SWM/ESC plan review process.
Health Department, Division of Environmental Inspection Services
(410) 396-4544, 210 Guilford Ave. 2nd Fl.
The Health Department, Division of Environmental Inspection Services provides services to regulate facilities and to enforce the Baltimore City Health Code and applicable state and federal rules and regulations as they relate to environmental health.
The Plan Review section is the first stop for most facilities looking to obtain a license. New foodservice facilities or facilities under new ownership, including swimming pools and tattoo establishments, must submit plans and undergo an initial Plan Review inspection prior to license approval.
Inspection reviews are done for:
- Completed building plans;
- Floor plans;
- Equipment specifications (including manufactures specifications for the equipment); and
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Plan (HACCP), which includes the flow of food, specifications for swimming pools (building and blueprints), and chemical storage area.
Types of Facilities Inspected:
- Day Care Centers
- Hospitals and specific rooms
- All food facilities (i.e., markets, restaurants, carry-outs, grocery stores, etc.)
- Large assisted living homes (17 or more non-related people)
- Nursing/Convalescence homes
- Juvenile facilities
- Incarceration facilities (half-way homes, group homes, etc.)
- Swimming pools
- Convenience stores
- Mobile diners
- Manufacturers and processing plants
- Warehouse and distribution centers
- Vending concessions (movies, stadiums, museums, convention centers, etc.)
- Cruise ships (passenger boats in the harbor)
The following areas are thoroughly inspected to focus on disease prevention and safety:
- Various types of contaminants (infestation, peeling paint)
- Plumbing systems (fixtures and riser diagram)
- Structure of the facility
- Interior/exteriors
- Equipment specifications (make, model number, manufacturer's name)
- Ventilation systems (exhaust hood, mechanical ventilation for restrooms
- Lighting diagram
- Various food processing versus food layout
- Automatic dishwashers
- Refuse storage/disposal (must have contact)
- Required number of toilet rooms versus seating
- Chemical storage area(s)
- Overall employee
- Finishing coats for floors, walls, and other surfaces
- Dressing rooms/personal storage areas
- Sufficient water supply
- Utensil washing and hand sink locations
- Food manager certification
- Emergency plan for disaster and terrorist acts
Fire Department
(410) 545-1883
A Baltimore City Fire Department representative is located in the Plans Examining office and reviews both building construction plan sets and fire protection system plan sets for compliance with The National Fire Prevention Code and the National Fire Codes.
In addition to providing Plans Examining with a written report of comments on particular "plan numbers", the Fire Department also requires specific fire department permits to be purchased. For example, fire protection, fire alarm, and tank permits are required both from DHCD and the Fire Department. In contrast, commercial kitchen hood suppression system permits are issued by the Fire Department exclusively.