City Building Permits

Town of Accident, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Accident, Maryland. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Maryland Garrett County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Accident is one of the six incorporated towns with its own zoning ordinance. Note: The zoning permit application is made directly at the Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management (the Courthouse), not at Town Hall. Once the county approves the zoning permit, the applicant then takes the approved permit to Accident Town Hall for payment of zoning permit fees.

Department
Town of Accident (zoning permit fees); Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division (zoning review and building permits)
Address
Town Hall: PO Box 190, Accident, MD 21520; County Permits: 203 South Fourth Street, Room 208, Oakland, MD 21550
Phone
Town Hall: 301-746-6346; County Permits: 301-334-7470

Online Permit Portal

Open Citizen Connect

Platform: Citizen Connect • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

  1. Confirm that the project is within Accident town limits and determine whether a zoning permit is required.
  2. Apply for the zoning permit at the Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management at the Courthouse (note: for Accident, the county does both the application and the review; applicant does not start at Town Hall).
  3. After county approval, take the approved zoning permit to Accident Town Hall to pay the zoning permit fee.
  4. If a county building permit is also required, initiate the building permit application with the Permits & Inspections Division.
  5. Submit two sets of building plans and required supporting documents.
  6. Pay county building permit fees.
  7. Receive issued permits. Post the placard on site. Construction may not begin until all required permits are issued.
  8. Schedule county building inspections via Citizen Connect or 301-334-7470.

Typical processing time: Not published as a single standard.

Source: Town of Accident (zoning permit fees); Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division (zoning review and building permits)

General Requirements

Erecting most structures or changing the use of land within Accident requires a zoning permit. County building permit required in most cases.

Required Documents

  • Zoning permit application
  • Site layout plan
  • Two sets of building plans for county permit
Permit validity
Construction must begin within one year of permit issuance or the permit becomes void. Also void for over one year of no construction activity.
Building code
2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as adopted by Garrett County.
Owner-builder
A landowner may serve as their own general contractor subject to county requirements. All builders of new homes must be registered with the Maryland Home Builder Registration Unit (MHBR).
Contractor requirements
Properly licensed contractors are required. Maryland MHIC licensing applies to home improvement work. All new home builders must be registered with MHBR. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trade work is subject to Maryland state licensing.

Fees

Payment note
Zoning permit fees: Paid at Accident Town Hall after county planning approval; contact Town Hall at 301-746-6346 for the current fee schedule. Building permit fees: Paid to Garrett County Permits & Inspections Division per the county fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Accessory structures 240 square feet and under do not require a county building permit

Important: Town zoning permit may still be required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
Requests should be made in advance; allow at least 24 hours.
Inspection hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Time windows
A specific inspection time cannot be set.

Typical inspection sequence: Same county inspection process.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Accident (zoning permit fees); Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division (zoning review and building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Accident Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Accident, MD?
Erecting most structures or changing the use of land within Accident requires a zoning permit. County building permit required in most cases.
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Accident, MD?
1. Confirm that the project is within Accident town limits and determine whether a zoning permit is required. 2. Apply for the zoning permit at the Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management at the Courthouse (note: for Accident, the county does both the application and the review; applicant does not start at Town Hall). 3. After county approval, take the approved zoning permit to Accident Town Hall to pay the zoning permit fee. 4. If a county building permit is also required, initiate the building permit application with the Permits & Inspections Division. 5. Submit two sets of building plans and required supporting documents. 6. Pay county building permit fees. 7. Receive issued permits. Post the placard on site. Construction may not begin until all required permits are issued. 8. Schedule county building inspections via Citizen Connect or 301-334-7470.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Accident, MD?
Typical processing time is Not published as a single standard..
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Accident, MD?
The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures 240 square feet and under do not require a county building permit. Note: Town zoning permit may still be required.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Accident, MD?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Citizen Connect portal, 301-334-7470. Requests should be made in advance; allow at least 24 hours..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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