Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Easton, Maryland

Town of Easton’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Non-residential and multifamily construction and alterations inside Easton town's limits, under the Town of Easton building code (Chapter 6, Article II).

  • The code is the 2021 International Building Code with Town amendments; Appendix C, F, G, H, I are adopted as part of the code.
  • In a conflict between the International Building Code and the Easton zoning ordinance, the zoning ordinance prevails (Chapter 6, Article II, 102.4).
  • Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories are governed by the separate residential code (Chapter 6, Article III).

  “the international building code 2021, with the modifications found in §6-11.2 of this article and the state modifications in comar 09.12.51.04, is incorporated by reference.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Adopted (with conditions) — Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories inside Easton town's limits, under the Town of Easton building code for one and two family dwellings (Chapter 6, Article III).

    “the provisions of the international residential code for one and two family dwellings shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction or work inside Easton town's limits; the code official inspects it before it is concealed.

  • Work must remain accessible and exposed for inspection until approved (§ 6-6.1).
  • Re-inspection fees may be imposed under the Town fee schedule (§ 6-6).

  “construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the code official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Use or occupancy of a building, and any change in occupancy classification, inside Easton town's limits.

  • Before issuance, the Building Inspection Division must receive approvals from Planning and Zoning, Engineering, Easton Utilities, State Fire Marshal, Environmental Health and other listed offices (§ 6-7.1).
  • Temporary certificate may issue for partly finished work with State Fire Marshal and Environmental Health agreement (§ 6-7.3).
  • Change of use must also be approved by Planning and Zoning for zoning compliance (§ 6-7.4).

  “no building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the code official has issued a certificate of occupancy.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Easton town's limits: the Town of Easton adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance (Town of Easton Zoning Ordinance, 2018 Edition) through its Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Appeals and zoning inspector.

  • Zoning certificate required before a use or occupancy begins (Article XIII, section 28-1301 a.).
  • Zoning ordinance prevails over the building code where they conflict (Chapter 6, Article II, 101.2.2 and 102.4 text on the building code).
  • Pending 2026 zoning amendments (Ordinances 850 and 851, per a January 2026 Talbot Spy report) were not verified against the official text; the 2018 edition is the copy opened.

  “upon the effective date of this ordinance, the easton planning and zoning commission shall have the powers and duties set forth in this ordinance.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building, electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing permit fees inside Easton town's limits

  • Fees are set by the Town Council schedule and may be revised by resolution; the schedule itself was not opened.
  • Permit valuation is determined under the schedule of fees (§ 6-5.3).

  “in accordance with the adopted schedule of fees as established by the town council, which schedule of fees may be revised from time to time by resolution of the town council.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Easton

Town of Easton does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private sewage disposal systems that are specifically approved or legally exist inside Easton town's limits; inspections by the Talbot County Health Department.

  • Applies to systems specifically approved or legally existing within the town (appendix ai).
  • New system inspection requirements not confirmed.

  “private sewage disposal systems that are specifically approved or legally exist within the town of easton shall conform to the provisions, inspections and requirements of the talbot county health department”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Easton or Talbot County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for work inside Easton town's limits
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and district list for Easton town
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the main single-family residential district inside Easton town's limits
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the main single-family residential district inside Easton town's limits
• Setbacks — Yard setbacks in the main single-family residential district inside Easton town's limits

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.