County Building Permits
Garrett County, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Garrett County, Maryland. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Maryland Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
The Deep Creek Watershed is the only zoned area in unincorporated Garrett County. It includes Deep Creek Lake and its surrounding watershed. Transient Vacation Rental Units (TVRUs) are regulated separately by both the zoning ordinance and the county's TVRU licensing ordinance.
- Department
- Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division
- Address
- 203 South Fourth Street, Room 208, Oakland, MD 21550
- Phone
- 301-334-7470
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Citizen Connect • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm whether the project parcel is within the Deep Creek Watershed boundary. Contact the Planning & Land Management Division if uncertain.
- Determine the zoning district (e.g., Lake Residential, Lake Commercial, Agricultural) and applicable use regulations.
- Apply for a county zoning permit with the Planning & Land Management Division. The application must be accompanied by a site layout plan drawn to scale showing the location, dimensions, and height of all proposed and existing buildings and structures.
- If the project also requires a county building permit, the Construction Release form issued after zoning approval must be signed by all applicable county agencies before construction begins.
- Applicants for new construction must declare whether they are building a Single Family Dwelling Unit or a Transient Vacation Rental Unit (TVRU). TVRUs require a zoning permit for new construction; existing dwellings converted to TVRU use also require a zoning permit.
- TVRUs with 6 to 8 bedrooms in Lake Residential zoning require a special exception in addition to the zoning permit.
- After zoning approval, all TVRUs must be registered and licensed with the Garrett County Office of Licensing and Enforcement and must comply with the TVRU Ordinance.
- Proceed with the building permit application as described in the Unincorporated Garrett County guidelines.
Typical processing time: Not published as a single standard; contact the office.
Source: Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division
General Requirements
Erecting most structures or changing the use of land or buildings within the Deep Creek Watershed requires a zoning permit. Smaller structures such as fences, signs, and small sheds also require a zoning permit even if a county building permit is not required.
Required Documents
- Zoning permit application with site layout plan drawn to scale
- Site layout showing location, dimensions, and height of all proposed and existing structures in relation to property and street lines
- TVRU application form for short-term rental use declarations
- Special exception application if triggered (6-8 bedroom TVRU in Lake Residential zoning)
- Permit validity
- Construction may not begin until all required building and zoning permits are issued. Zoning permit expiration is governed by the county zoning ordinance.
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with Garrett County amendments.
- 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
- 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 and the State Fire Marshal's authority.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Same fee structure as Unincorporated Garrett County for building permit fees. Zoning permit fees are set by the county planning fee schedule.
- Payment note
- Contact the Planning & Land Management Division at 301-334-1920 for zoning permit fees. TVRU licensing fees are separate and set by the Office of Licensing and Enforcement.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Accessory buildings (sheds, garages, and similar) that are 240 square feet or smaller in floor area
- Agricultural structures on farms zoned or assessed as agricultural, used only for agricultural purposes, and not intended for or used for human occupancy
Important: Even when a building permit is not required for small structures within the watershed, a zoning permit is still required.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Citizen Connect portal (online)
- 301-334-7470 (phone)
- 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 as Unincorporated Garrett County. Building inspections are scheduled through Citizen Connect or by calling 301-334-7470. TVRU pre-licensing inspections are coordinated through the Office of Licensing and Enforcement.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with Garrett County amendments.
- Verify contractor license: Maryland MHIC License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 157)
- TVRU Licensing Procedure
- TVRU Information
- Deep Creek Board of Zoning Appeals
- Deep Creek Lake General Information
- License lookup guide: Maryland Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Maryland Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Maryland hub: Maryland Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garrett County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Garrett County, MD?
- Erecting most structures or changing the use of land or buildings within the Deep Creek Watershed requires a zoning permit. Smaller structures such as fences, signs, and small sheds also require a zoning permit even if a county building permit is not required.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Garrett County, MD?
- Fees are calculated as: Same fee structure as Unincorporated Garrett County for building permit fees. Zoning permit fees are set by the county planning fee schedule..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Garrett County, MD?
- 1. Confirm whether the project parcel is within the Deep Creek Watershed boundary. Contact the Planning & Land Management Division if uncertain. 2. Determine the zoning district (e.g., Lake Residential, Lake Commercial, Agricultural) and applicable use regulations. 3. Apply for a county zoning permit with the Planning & Land Management Division. The application must be accompanied by a site layout plan drawn to scale showing the location, dimensions, and height of all proposed and existing buildings and structures. 4. If the project also requires a county building permit, the Construction Release form issued after zoning approval must be signed by all applicable county agencies before construction begins. 5. Applicants for new construction must declare whether they are building a Single Family Dwelling Unit or a Transient Vacation Rental Unit (TVRU). TVRUs require a zoning permit for new construction; existing dwellings converted to TVRU use also require a zoning permit. 6. TVRUs with 6 to 8 bedrooms in Lake Residential zoning require a special exception in addition to the zoning permit. 7. After zoning approval, all TVRUs must be registered and licensed with the Garrett County Office of Licensing and Enforcement and must comply with the TVRU Ordinance. 8. Proceed with the building permit application as described in the Unincorporated Garrett County guidelines.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Garrett County, MD?
- Typical processing time is Not published as a single standard; contact the office..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Garrett County, MD?
- The following work is generally exempt: Accessory buildings (sheds, garages, and similar) that are 240 square feet or smaller in floor area; Agricultural structures on farms zoned or assessed as agricultural, used only for agricultural purposes, and not intended for or used for human occupancy. Note: Even when a building permit is not required for small structures within the watershed, a zoning permit is still required.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Garrett County, 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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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.