Maryland · Solar · Free 2026 permit-fee estimator
Solar permit cost in Maryland
On a typical $22,000 solar project, Maryland's statewide median building permit fee is $339 — about 1.54% of cost. Top Bethesda metros run higher.
Your project cost
Leave blank to use the typical solar value, or enter your quote to refresh all metro fees below.
Maryland statewide median
$339
≈ 1.54% of $22,000 project cost
Range: $125 (min) – $2,300 (max)
Top 3 Maryland metros — actual permit fee
The state base × project type stays the same; the metro multiplier is where the swing comes from.
Bethesda
$474
Metro multiplier: 1.4× statewide base
Baltimore
$407
Metro multiplier: 1.2× statewide base
Annapolis
$373
Metro multiplier: 1.1× statewide base
Maryland permit-fee context
Montgomery + PG County run highest (1.5%); Baltimore mid-tier. WSSC water/sewer permit separate.
Why solar? Solar permit + electrical + structural review — most jurisdictions consolidate into a single solar-PV permit at moderate fee.
What this fee does NOT include
- Plan-review service fees (typically 0.5–1% of cost, separate line)
- Per-trade fees (plumbing, electrical, mechanical — $50–$200 each)
- State-level surcharges (FL DBPR, NJ DCA, OR BCD, etc.)
- Contractor's filing/processing fee
Rule of thumb: budget 1.5–2× the base permit fee for the all-in cost.
Compare solar panel installation in Maryland across all lenses
4 sister tools · same project, same stateBefore you sign, run the 5 other state-aware lenses for the same project.
FAQ — Solar permits in Maryland
How much is a solar permit in Maryland in 2026?
On a typical $22,000 solar project in Maryland, the statewide median permit fee runs $339 — about 1.54% of project cost. Major metros run higher: Bethesda $474, Baltimore $407, Annapolis $373. Montgomery + PG County run highest (1.5%); Baltimore mid-tier. WSSC water/sewer permit separate.
Why is the fee higher in major Maryland metros?
Each Maryland city/county sets its own multiplier on top of the state base rate. Bethesda runs 1.4× because of stricter plan review + structural review + energy-code overhead. Annapolis sits lower (1.1×) because of less plan-review depth + simpler intake. Rural counties in Maryland often have flat-fee schedules below even the lowest metro.
What's included in the permit fee vs. what's billed separately?
The permit fee covers the building department's intake + base review. NOT included: plan-review service fees (often a separate line, 0.5–1% of project cost), per-trade fees for plumbing/electrical/mechanical (typically $50–$200 each), and any state-level surcharges (FL adds DBPR 1.5%, NJ adds DCA, OR adds 12% BCD surcharge). Your contractor's filing fee is also separate. Budget 1.5–2× the base permit fee for the all-in cost.
Can I skip the permit and save the fee?
Don't. Working without a required permit fails any future resale inspection (the buyer's inspector WILL flag it), voids your homeowner's insurance for any related claim, and triggers retro-permitting fines that are typically 2–3× the original fee. Maryland treats unpermitted solar work as a separate violation under state building code. The "savings" become a $1,500 problem at resale on a $500 fee.
Other projects in Maryland
Disclaimer: Permit fees are jurisdiction-specific and change frequently. These values are 2026 medians — verify against your local building department's current fee schedule before budgeting.