How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Friendsville, MD?

1. Determine whether a Friendsville zoning permit is required. Most new structures and changes of use within the town require one. 2. Prepare a site layout drawn to scale showing the location, dimensions, and height of all proposed and existing buildings, structures, or uses in relation to property and street lines. 3. Submit the zoning permit application and site layout to Friendsville Town Hall and pay required zoning permit fees at Town Hall. 4. Friendsville Town Hall forwards the application to the Garrett County Planning & Land Management Division for final review and approval. 5. If a county building permit is also required, initiate the application at the Permits & Inspections Division (or via Citizen Connect for residential projects) after zoning approval. 6. Submit two sets of building plans and all required supporting documents to the county. 7. Pay county building permit fees. 8. Receive issued permits. Construction may not begin until all required building and zoning permits are issued. Post the building permit placard on site. 9. Schedule county inspections through Citizen Connect or by calling 301-334-7470.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Friendsville, MD?

Typical processing time is Not published as a single standard..

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Friendsville, MD?

The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures 240 square feet and under do not require a county building permit. Note: A town zoning permit may still be required for small structures within Friendsville.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Friendsville, MD?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Citizen Connect portal, 301-334-7470. Requests should be made in advance; allow at least 24 hours..

City Building Permits

Town of Friendsville, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Maryland Garrett County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Friendsville is one of the six incorporated towns with its own zoning ordinance. The current Friendsville Zoning Ordinance was adopted in 2019 and is undergoing a revision process. Zoning permit applications are made at Friendsville Town Hall; Town Hall sends the application to the Garrett County Planning & Land Management Division for final review and approval.

Department: Town of Friendsville (zoning permits); Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division (building permits)
Address: Town Hall: 945 Community Drive, Friendsville, MD 21531; County Permits: 203 South Fourth Street, Room 208, Oakland, MD 21550
Phone: Town Hall: 301-746-5919; County Permits: 301-334-7470
Email: permits@garrettcountymd.gov
Website: https://www.friendsville.org/

Online Permit Portal

Open Citizen Connect

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

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine whether a Friendsville zoning permit is required. Most new structures and changes of use within the town require one.
Prepare a site layout drawn to scale showing the location, dimensions, and height of all proposed and existing buildings, structures, or uses in relation to property and street lines.
Submit the zoning permit application and site layout to Friendsville Town Hall and pay required zoning permit fees at Town Hall.
Friendsville Town Hall forwards the application to the Garrett County Planning & Land Management Division for final review and approval.
If a county building permit is also required, initiate the application at the Permits & Inspections Division (or via Citizen Connect for residential projects) after zoning approval.
Submit two sets of building plans and all required supporting documents to the county.
Pay county building permit fees.
Receive issued permits. Construction may not begin until all required building and zoning permits are issued. Post the building permit placard on site.
Schedule county inspections through Citizen Connect or by calling 301-334-7470.

Typical processing time: Not published as a single standard.

Source: Town of Friendsville (zoning permits); Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division (building permits)

General Requirements

Erecting most structures or changing the use of land within Friendsville requires a zoning permit. A county building permit is also required in most cases. Certain smaller structures (fences, signs, small sheds) require a site plan and zoning permit even if a building permit is not required.

Required Documents

Zoning permit application
Site layout drawn to scale (location, dimensions, height of all proposed and existing structures relative to property and street lines)
Two sets of building plans for county permit

Permit validity: Construction may not begin until all required permits are issued. Zoning permit expiration follows the town ordinance; county building permit rule is one year from issuance or the permit becomes void, also void for over one year of no 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. Friendsville administers its own zoning ordinance.
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 Friendsville Town Hall; contact Town Hall at 301-746-5919 for the current fee schedule. Building permit fees: Paid to the 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: A town zoning permit may still be required for small structures within Friendsville.

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 county inspection process.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as adopted by Garrett County. Friendsville administers its own zoning ordinance.
Verify contractor license: Maryland MHIC License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Zoning Permit Application (PDF)
Friendsville Ordinances
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 Town of Friendsville (zoning permits); Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division (building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Friendsville Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Friendsville, MD?: Erecting most structures or changing the use of land within Friendsville requires a zoning permit. A county building permit is also required in most cases. Certain smaller structures (fences, signs, small sheds) require a site plan and zoning permit even if a building permit is not required.
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Friendsville, MD?: 1. Determine whether a Friendsville zoning permit is required. Most new structures and changes of use within the town require one. 2. Prepare a site layout drawn to scale showing the location, dimensions, and height of all proposed and existing buildings, structures, or uses in relation to property and street lines. 3. Submit the zoning permit application and site layout to Friendsville Town Hall and pay required zoning permit fees at Town Hall. 4. Friendsville Town Hall forwards the application to the Garrett County Planning & Land Management Division for final review and approval. 5. If a county building permit is also required, initiate the application at the Permits & Inspections Division (or via Citizen Connect for residential projects) after zoning approval. 6. Submit two sets of building plans and all required supporting documents to the county. 7. Pay county building permit fees. 8. Receive issued permits. Construction may not begin until all required building and zoning permits are issued. Post the building permit placard on site. 9. Schedule county inspections through Citizen Connect or by calling 301-334-7470.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Friendsville, MD?: Typical processing time is Not published as a single standard..
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Friendsville, MD?: The following work is generally exempt: Accessory structures 240 square feet and under do not require a county building permit. Note: A town zoning permit may still be required for small structures within Friendsville.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Friendsville, MD?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Citizen Connect portal, 301-334-7470. Requests should be made in advance; allow at least 24 hours..

Need help with your project?

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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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