Plumbing Permit Checklist for Anne Arundel County and Severna Park, MD — 2026

LOCAL PLUMBING GUIDE

Full Permit Checklist — Anne Arundel County Plumbing Work

### Requires an Anne Arundel County Permit ✓

Water heater replacement A new water heater installation — replacing an existing unit — requires a permit in Anne Arundel County. The permit inspection confirms: correct venting for gas units, T&P valve presence and correct discharge pipe routing, expansion tank installation (required on closed systems), and seismic strapping where required. A water heater replaced without a permit is unpermitted work — it shows up in property records searches at resale and creates an insurance documentation gap.

Sewer line repair or replacement Any repair or replacement of the sewer service lateral (the pipe from the home’s foundation to the public sewer main) requires a permit. This includes trenchless pipe lining, hydro jetting followed by lining, and full excavation replacement. The permit inspection confirms: correct slope (⅛” to ¼” per foot), correct backfill, correct cleanout placement, and watertightness testing.

Whole-house repiping Replacing the supply pipe system throughout a home — whether galvanized, polybutylene, or copper — requires a permit. The rough-in inspection (before walls are closed) confirms: correct pipe sizing, correct support spacing, and correct connection methods. The final inspection confirms: pressure test results and code compliance.

New plumbing rough-in — bathroom, kitchen, addition, ADU Any new fixture rough-in that involves extending the drain or supply system — a new bathroom, a basement bathroom, a kitchen extension, an in-law suite, an ADU — requires a permit. The rough-in inspection is the critical point: inspectors check drain slope, vent routing, supply sizing, and fixture placement before walls are closed.

Gas line installation or modification New gas line runs, gas line extensions, or modifications to existing gas piping require a permit. Maryland also requires a separate gas fitter certification (beyond a plumbing licence) to perform this work. Fitchet Plumbing holds both. The permit inspection confirms: correct pressure test, correct pipe material and fittings, and correct connection to appliances.

Backwater valve installation Installation of a sewage backwater valve in the main drain line requires a permit. Concrete cutting and reinstatement are part of the permitted scope.

Water service line replacement Replacing the main water service line from the street main to the home — whether due to failure, material upgrade, or as part of repiping — requires a permit. Anne Arundel County coordinates with the water utility for the connection at the main.

Well pump installation or replacement New well pump installation and pump replacement on private well systems requires a permit and coordination with MDE.

### Does NOT Typically Require a Permit in Anne Arundel County

• Toilet replacement (like-for-like swap on existing rough-in)
• Faucet replacement (existing supply connections)
• Showerhead replacement
• Garbage disposal replacement (existing connection)
• Drain cleaning — snake, hydro jetting
• Appliance supply hose replacement (washing machine, dishwasher)
• Refrigerator water line connection to existing shutoff valve
• Water heater anode rod or thermostat replacement (maintenance, not replacement of the unit)
• Fixing a running toilet (flapper, fill valve, flush valve)
• Leak repair at accessible fittings with like-for-like materials

Note: Anne Arundel County’s permit requirements can change, and specific circumstances may affect what requires a permit. Fitchet Plumbing assesses permit requirements on every job and pulls the applicable permit as part of the quoted work.

LOCAL PLUMBING GUIDE

What Happens If You Skip a Required Permit in Severna Park

The consequences of unpermitted plumbing work in Severna Park are real and show up in specific situations:

At home sale. Maryland requires sellers to disclose known material defects and unpermitted work. A real estate attorney in Severna Park reviewing the property disclosure that shows a water heater replacement 5 years ago with no permit record will flag it. The buyer’s inspector may identify unpermitted work. The outcome is a credit negotiation or a repair requirement — at the seller’s expense, at the worst possible negotiating moment.

For insurance claims. A water damage claim resulting from a water heater that was installed without a permit — and therefore without inspection confirming correct T&P valve and expansion tank installation — may face coverage challenges. The insurance company’s investigation of the claim origin will include permit record verification.

For repeat service. When Fitchet Plumbing arrives for a service call and finds unpermitted prior work — a water heater without a permit record, a sewer repair without inspection — we document it. Some insurance policies require remediation of unpermitted prior work as a condition of renewing coverage.

For the permit office. Anne Arundel County can require unpermitted work to be exposed for inspection (which means opening walls or floors that were already finished) and can issue stop-work orders on related projects.

LOCAL PLUMBING GUIDE

How Fitchet Plumbing Handles Permits

Fitchet Plumbing pulls all required Anne Arundel County permits on every applicable job. The process:

1. We assess the scope and confirm permit requirement
2. We submit the permit application to Anne Arundel County’s Department of Inspections and Permits
3. We schedule the work after permit approval
4. For rough-in work (new bathrooms, repiping), we coordinate the rough-in inspection before walls close
5. We coordinate the final inspection after work completion
6. The permit is closed and the record is on file with the county

The permit fee is included in the quoted price. It is not an add-on discovered on the invoice.

COMMON QUESTIONS

FAQ — Plumbing Permits Anne Arundel County

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