Charles County, Maryland - County Development Fees
Charles County | County | Washington DC Metro South / Southern Maryland | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA | County seat: La Plata | FIPS 24017
Charles County sits south of the Potomac River corridor in Southern Maryland between Prince George's County (north) and Calvert County (east, across the Patuxent River). The Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management administers developer-side fees through the FY26 Adopted Fees and Charges schedule effective July 1, 2025 (board-adopted; sunset June 30, 2026). The schedule consolidates Planning and Growth Management fees (zoning, subdivision, board of appeals, building permits, trade permits, plan review, inspections, forest conservation, stormwater) with Water and Sewer fees (connection fees by EDU capacity ratio, surcharge fees for special service areas, meter installation, inspection). Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance authority is codified in Zoning Ordinance Section 264(a). Permits are filed through the Citizen Self Service Portal. Department address: 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata MD 20646; phone 301-645-0692; email PGMadmin@charlescountymd.gov.
Recent Fee Changes
Charles County FY26 PGM Adopted Fees and Charges effective July 1, 2025 (sunset June 30, 2026). The board-adopted 18-page schedule consolidates Planning and Growth Management line items (PGM1 through PGM470+) with Water and Sewer connection fees. Captured FY26 line items include APFO Mitigation Program (PGM41) at $2,002; Comprehensive Plan Amendment (PGM59) at $4,410; Zoning Text or Map Amendment Application (PGM66) at $850 plus per-acre charge; Preliminary Subdivision Plans (PGM78) at $1,213 minimum per review; Permit Application Fee for New Construction (PGM149) at $115; Residential Building Plan Review (PGM157) at $0.19 per sq ft with a $139 minimum; New Dwelling Inspection (PGM185) at $0.75 per sq ft with a $2,833 minimum; Water Connection Fee 5/8 inch meter (PGM363) at $7,038; and Sewer Connection Fee 5/8 inch meter (PGM373) at $13,167.
On this page
Fee Summary
| Fee Type | Status | Top-Line Figure | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| APFO Mitigation and Allocation Deposits | Confirmed | APFO Mitigation Program $2,002; Preliminary APF Application $201; Priority Development Project Allocation Review $456 per review; School Allocation Deposit $1,000 per allocation | July 1, 2025 |
| Traffic Impact Study Review | Confirmed | $150 per hour; $5,000 minimum in Development District Area; $2,500 minimum in all other areas | July 1, 2025 |
| Zoning, Subdivision, Site Plan and Building Permit Fees | Confirmed | 50+ line items from PGM2 through PGM292 covering DRRA, Board of Appeals, Variance, Special Exception, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Subdivision Plats, Site Design Review, Building Plan Review, Inspections, Forest Conservation, Stormwater | July 1, 2025 |
| Water Connection Fees by EDU Ratio | Confirmed | 5/8 inch $7,038 (ratio 1.0) up to 8 inch $563,040 (ratio 80.0) | July 1, 2025 |
| Sewer Connection Fees by EDU Ratio | Confirmed | 5/8 inch $13,167 (ratio 1.0) up to 8 inch $1,053,360 (ratio 80.0) | July 1, 2025 |
| Proffers | Not applicable | Maryland jurisdictions do not use Virginia-style cash proffers; MD substitutes APFO mitigation and statutory impact fees | - |
| Special District Fees (CDA / TIF / BID) | Captured under utility tap fees | White Plains Economic Development Sewer Service Area and Swan Point WWTP Service Area surcharges fold into the consolidated W&S schedule rather than appearing as standalone special-district line items | - |
Adequate Public Facilities and Impact-Style Fees - Effective July 1, 2025
Statutory authority: Charles County Zoning Ordinance Section 264(a) (Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance / Developer Mitigation framework). Maryland jurisdictions use Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances plus impact-fee-style developer mitigation charges in lieu of Texas Chapter 395 impact fees. Source: Charles County FY26 PGM Adopted Fees and Charges PDF (SHA-256 c0f838e9...), 18-page board-adopted schedule.
| Fee Item (PGM Code) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adequate Public Facilities - Mitigation Program (PGM41) | $2,002 |
| Adequate Public Facilities - Developer Mitigation (PGM40) | Based on activity; see Zoning Ordinance Section 264(a) |
| Preliminary Adequate Public Facilities Application (PGM50) | $201 |
| Priority Development Project (PDP) Allocation Application and Review (PGM51) | $456 per review |
| School Allocation Deposit (PGM52) | $1,000 per allocation |
| School Allocation Extension Request - nonrefundable (PGM53) | $60 per allocation |
| Water and/or Sewer Allocation application fee and review fee (PGM54) | $116 |
| Water and/or Sewer Allocation Extension Request - nonrefundable (PGM55) | $423 |
| Water Allocation - Waldorf (nonrefundable, PGM56) | 20% Deposit of Connection Fee |
| Sewer Allocation - Mattawoman (nonrefundable, PGM57) | 20% Deposit of Connection Fee |
| Traffic Impact Study Review - Development District Area (PGM43) | $150 per hour / $5,000 minimum |
| Traffic Impact Study Review - All Other Areas (PGM44) | $150 per hour / $2,500 minimum |
| Traffic Signal Warrant Analysis Review (PGM45) | $1,500 per signal/per review |
| Appeal to Traffic Impact Study Parameters (PGM46) | $500 per review |
| Access Management Plan Review (PGM47) | $358 |
Note: The School Allocation Deposit ($1,000 per allocation) is structurally a deposit alongside school facilities allocations; consult the Zoning Ordinance Section 264(a) and the FY26 PGM Adopted Fees and Charges PDF for refund and forfeiture treatment.
Zoning, Subdivision, Site Plan, and Building Permit Fees - Effective July 1, 2025
Source: Charles County FY26 PGM Adopted Fees and Charges PDF (SHA-256 c0f838e9...). The 18-page board-adopted schedule covers Planning and Growth Management plus Water and Sewer scopes. The selection below lists principal developer-side line items; per-line breakdowns including detailed pre-concealment inspections, code violation charges, traffic signal review, fire hydrant fees, water meter testing, and septic disposal are present in the source PDF.
Land Use Amendments and Boards
| Fee Item (PGM Code) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Developer Rights and Responsibilities Review - Amendment to Approved DRRA (PGM2) | $1,089 |
| Developer Rights and Responsibilities Review - Without Planning Commission (PGM3) | $5,164 |
| Developer Rights and Responsibilities Review - With Planning Commission (PGM4) | $6,134 |
| Development Technology Fee (PGM5) | 5% surcharge |
| Appeal to Board of Appeals (PGM27) | $1,654 |
| Extension/Enlargement of Nonconforming Use Application (up to two reviews, PGM28) | $551 |
| Variance Application and Review (up to two reviews, PGM29) | $551 |
| Special Exception Application and Review (up to two reviews, PGM30) | $551 |
| Additional Reviews - Board of Appeals (PGM31) | $276 per review |
| Comprehensive Plan Amendment (PGM59) | $4,410 |
| Growth Allocation Application - Up to 20 Acres (PGM60) | $2,558 minimum |
| Growth Allocation Application - Over 20 acres (PGM61) | $5,468 |
| Growth Allocation Map Revision Application (PGM62) | $4,050 minimum |
| Growth Allocation/Map Revision Over 10 acres (PGM63) | $40 per acre |
| Zoning Verification Request (PGM64) | $120 |
| Zoning Officer Determination (PGM65) | $420 |
| Zoning Text or Map Amendment Application (up to two reviews, PGM66) | $850 |
| Zoning Text or Map Amendment Over 10 acres (PGM67) | $17 per acre |
| Planned Development Zone - Initial Request/Revision (PGM71) | $47 per acre / $4,700 minimum |
| Water and/or Sewer Service Map or Text Amendment (PGM72) | $459 |
Subdivision and Plat Review
| Fee Item (PGM Code) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Conceptual Subdivision Plan (PGM77) | $954 per review |
| Preliminary Subdivision Plans - New, Major Revision, Conformity (PGM78) | $1,213 minimum/per review |
| Preliminary Subdivision Plans Over 10 lots (PGM79) | $13 per lot |
| Cluster Development Review (PGM83) | $1,133 |
| Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Review - Preliminary Subdivision (PGM84) | $607 |
| Final Subdivision Plat Review - Major (PGM95) | $422 per review per sheet |
| Final Subdivision Plat Review - Minor (PGM94) | $180 per review |
| Final Subdivision Plat - Per lot (PGM97) | $10 per lot |
Forest Conservation and Site Design
| Fee Item (PGM Code) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Forest Conservation Plan Review (PGM105) | $349 |
| Forest Conservation Fee-In-Lieu Within Priority Funding Area (PGM109) | $0.30 per sq ft |
| Forest Conservation Fee-In-Lieu Outside Priority Funding Area (PGM110) | $0.36 per sq ft |
| Site Design and Architectural Review Application Fee (PGM119) | $131 |
| Site Design and Architectural Review Fee - Design Code (PGM118) | $1,889 |
| Site Design and Architectural Review - Residential Preliminary Plan (PGM121) | $6 per lot / $532 minimum |
| Site Design and Architectural Review Fee - Commercial Less than 250,000 sq ft (PGM123) | $637 |
| Site Design and Architectural Review Fee - Commercial Over 250,000 sq ft (PGM124) | $868 |
| Major/Minor/Revision Site Plan (PGM127) | $568 per review |
| Critical Area Site Development Plan Review Fee (PGM130) | $240 per review |
| Stormwater Management Fee-In-Lieu-Of (PGM270) | $1.35 per sq ft disturbed |
| Grading and Sediment and Erosion Control Inspection (PGM292) | $865 per acre / $4,712 minimum |
Building Permits, Plan Review, and Inspections
| Fee Item (PGM Code) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home Occupations and Cottage Industries Permit (PGM146) | $69 |
| Temporary Use/Public Event Permit (PGM147) | $144 |
| Permit Application Fee for New Construction, Additions, Alterations (PGM149) | $115 |
| Permit Application Fee for All Other Building/Zoning/Critical Area Permits (PGM150) | $58 |
| Trade Permit Application Fees - Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical (PGM151) | $27 each |
| All Residential Building Permit Plan Review (PGM157) | $0.19 per sq ft / $139 minimum |
| All Commercial Building Plan Review (PGM160) | $0.19 per sq ft / $222 minimum |
| Building Plan Review Hourly Rate (PGM164) | $222 per hour |
| Building Inspection Fee - New Dwelling SFD/TH/MFD (PGM185) | $0.75 per sq ft / $2,833 minimum |
| Building Inspection Fee - New Dwelling Modular/Manufactured (PGM186) | $0.50 per sq ft / $2,513 minimum |
| Building Inspection - New Commercial and Apartments (PGM187) | $0.75 per sq ft / $2,833 minimum |
| Building Inspection Fee - Commercial Additions/Alterations Minimum (PGM189) | $849 |
| Building Inspection - Commercial Additions/Alterations Per sq ft over 1,500 (PGM190) | $0.44 per sq ft |
| Development Services Plan Review (up to 3 reviews, PGM278) | 2.50% of Construction Cost, Min. $1,875 / Max. $50,000 |
| Infrastructure Inspection Development Services (PGM288) | 5% of Construction / $2,250 minimum |
Water and Sewer Connection Fees - Effective July 1, 2025
Source: Charles County FY26 Water and Sewer Adopted Fees (consolidated with the PGM schedule; SHA-256 c0f838e9...). The Department of Planning and Growth Management administers consolidated Water and Sewer Connection Fees scaled by Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) ratio. Three special-surcharge service areas are also published in the source PDF (general private-funds connection surcharge PGM329-PGM358; White Plains Economic Development Sewer Service Area surcharge; Swan Point Wastewater Treatment Plant surcharge) and roll up under utility tap fees scope rather than appearing as standalone special-district fee items.
Water Connection Fees by Meter Size
| Meter Size (EDU Ratio) | Fee |
|---|---|
| 5/8 inch (1.0) - PGM363 | $7,038 |
| 3/4 inch (1.0) - PGM364 | $7,038 |
| 1 inch (2.5) - PGM365 | $17,595 |
| 1.5 inch (5.0) - PGM366 | $35,190 |
| 2 inch (8.0) - PGM367 | $56,304 |
| 3 inch (16.0) - PGM368 | $112,608 |
| 4 inch (25.0) - PGM369 | $175,950 |
| 6 inch (50.0) - PGM370 | $351,900 |
| 8 inch (80.0) - PGM371 | $563,040 |
Sewer Connection Fees by Meter Size
| Meter Size (EDU Ratio) | Fee |
|---|---|
| 5/8 inch (1.0) - PGM373 | $13,167 |
| 3/4 inch (1.0) - PGM374 | $13,167 |
| 1 inch (2.5) - PGM375 | $32,918 |
| 1.5 inch (5.0) - PGM376 | $65,835 |
| 2 inch (8.0) - PGM377 | $105,336 |
| 3 inch (16.0) - PGM378 | $210,672 |
| 4 inch (25.0) - PGM379 | $329,175 |
| 6 inch (50.0) - PGM380 | $658,350 |
| 8 inch (80.0) - PGM381 | $1,053,360 |
Service Line Installation, Inspection, and Application
| Fee Item (PGM Code) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Water Service Line Installation - 5/8 inch through 1.5 inch Meter (PGM300-303) | $74 per linear foot (74' and under) / $110 per linear foot (76'-125') / $147 per linear foot (125'-200') |
| Water Service Line Installation - 2 inch through 4 inch Meter (PGM304-306) | $147 per linear foot |
| Water Service Line Installation - 6 inch Meter (PGM307) | $214 per linear foot |
| Water Service Line Installation - 8 inch Meter (PGM308) | $293 per linear foot |
| Sewer Connection Service Line - 5/8 inch through 6 inch (PGM309-316) | $248 per linear foot |
| Sewer Connection Service Line - 8 inch (PGM317) | $293 per linear foot |
| Water and Sewer Permit Application Fee (PGM318) | $32 |
| Water Connection Inspection (PGM320) | $227 |
| Water Connection Inspection greater than 2 inch (PGM321) | $441 |
| Sewer Connection Inspection (PGM322) | $227 |
| Meter Installation Inspection (PGM323) | $227 |
| Technology Fee - Water Connection (PGM6) | $352 |
| Technology Fee - Sewer Connection (PGM7) | $658 |
| Water Front Foot (PGM268) | $0.06 per foot |
| Sewer Front Foot (PGM269) | $1.02 per foot |
Coverage Notes - What This Page Does Not Cover
Per ZoneFee's Partial-Verified Publication Standard, the items below were not closed via confirmed fee amounts on this page. They are disclosed here rather than estimated or omitted silently.
Proffers
Maryland jurisdictions do not use Virginia-style cash proffers. Virginia Code Section 15.2-2303 has no Maryland counterpart. Maryland substitutes Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance mitigation and statutory development impact fees. Charles County's developer-side growth contribution is captured under the Adequate Public Facilities section above through the APFO Mitigation Program ($2,002), the Developer Mitigation calculation under Zoning Ordinance Section 264(a), and school and water and sewer allocation deposits. Same closure as Frederick County MD, Howard County MD, Montgomery County MD, and Carroll County MD on ZoneFee. Closed-search outcome: this fee family does not apply to this jurisdiction.
Special District Fees (CDA / TIF / BID)
Charles County's FY26 schedule includes special-surcharge water and sewer service areas (White Plains Economic Development Sewer Service Area, Swan Point WWTP Service Area) and a Hunters Brooke special development charge ($1,945 per unit water user fee). These charge differentiated rates within named service areas but are administered as utility-side surcharges to the consolidated W and S schedule rather than as a separate CDA, TIF, BID, or service-district fee schedule. They are captured under utility tap fees scope on this page (PGM329-PGM358) instead of as a standalone special-district section. Three substitute paths were probed (Publications and Documents Fees and Charges landing, PGM FY26 PDF, complete countywide FY26 schedule PDFs); no separate stand-alone CDA, TIF, or service-district development-side fee schedule administered by the county at the Planning and Growth Management level was located. Closed-search outcome: captured separately under utility tap fees.
FY25 and Complete Countywide FY26 Schedules
The Charles County Publications and Documents Fees and Charges landing also publishes a Complete Listing of Charges FY25 (effective July 1, 2024) and a Complete Listing of Charges FY26 (effective July 1, 2025) covering all county departments. Those broader PDFs were not extracted in this source review because the FY26 PGM schedule alone covers the full development-side surface in ZoneFee's scope (planning, growth management, water, sewer, building, trade, plan review, inspection). The countywide PDFs remain authoritative for any non-developer-side line items not captured here.
Fee Authorities
| Authority | Fee Types | Official Website |
|---|---|---|
| Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management | Zoning, subdivision, board of appeals, building permits, trade permits, plan review, inspections, forest conservation, stormwater management, water and sewer connection fees, allocation deposits, APFO mitigation, traffic impact study review | charlescountymd.gov/government/planning-and-growth-management |
Sources
| Document | Agency | Accessed |
|---|---|---|
| Planning and Growth Management - Publications and Documents - Fees and Charges landing | Charles County, MD - Department of Planning and Growth Management | 2026-05-14 |
| FY26 PGM Adopted Fees and Charges PDF (18 pages; effective July 1, 2025; SHA-256 c0f838e9...) | Charles County, MD - Department of Planning and Growth Management | 2026-05-14 |
Last verified by ZoneFee: 2026-05-14. Fee schedules are subject to change. Verify current rates directly with the Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management before relying on this data for any financial decision.
This page reflects fee data sourced from the Charles County FY26 PGM Adopted Fees and Charges PDF (effective July 1, 2025; sunset June 30, 2026; SHA-256 c0f838e9...), an 18-page board-adopted schedule published on the Department of Planning and Growth Management Publications and Documents Fees and Charges landing. ZoneFee does not guarantee that fee amounts are current at the time you read this page. Fee schedules change. The categories displayed above include principal developer-side line items captured verbatim; the source PDF contains 470+ line items including detailed pre-concealment inspections, code violation fees, traffic signal review, fire hydrant fees, water meter testing, and septic disposal that are not enumerated here and which remain authoritative in the source. Maryland jurisdictions do not use Virginia-style cash proffers; Maryland substitutes APFO mitigation and statutory development impact fees. Charles County's special-surcharge water and sewer service areas (White Plains EDA, Swan Point WWTP, Hunters Brooke) are administered as utility-side surcharges and roll up under utility tap fees scope. Verify all current rates directly with the Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management before relying on this data for land acquisition, project budgeting, or any financial decision. This page is for research and due-diligence reference only - it is not legal or financial advice.