City Building Permits

Town of Grantsville, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Maryland Garrett County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Grantsville is one of the six incorporated towns with its own zoning ordinance. The Grantsville Zoning Ordinance is administered with county planning assistance. The county's Planning & Land Management staff helps administer the Grantsville Zoning Ordinance and provides final review and approval of all required zoning permits. Note: Unlike most other Garrett County towns, zoning permit applications are made at the Garrett County Planning & Land Management Division (the Courthouse), not at Town Hall.

Department
Town of Grantsville (zoning permits -- with different routing); Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division (building permits)
Address
Town Hall: 170 Main Street, PO Box 296, Grantsville, MD 21536; County Permits: 203 South Fourth Street, Room 208, Oakland, MD 21550
Phone
Town Hall: 301-895-3144; County Permits: 301-334-7470
Website
https://visitgrantsville.com/town-hall/

Online Permit Portal

Open Citizen Connect

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

Application Process

  1. Confirm that the project is within Grantsville town limits and requires a zoning permit.
  2. Apply for the zoning permit at the Garrett County Planning & Land Management Division at the Courthouse (note: for Grantsville, the county reviews first and the applicant then pays fees at Town Hall, unlike most other Garrett County towns where the application starts at Town Hall).
  3. If a county building permit is also required, initiate the building permit application with the Permits & Inspections Division after zoning is approved.
  4. Submit two sets of building plans and required supporting documents.
  5. Pay county building permit fees.
  6. Receive issued permits. Post the building permit placard. Do not begin construction until all required permits are issued.
  7. Schedule county building inspections via Citizen Connect or 301-334-7470.

Typical processing time: Not published as a single standard. Contact Planning & Land Management (301-334-1920) or Grantsville Town Hall (301-895-3144) with project details to determine permit requirements and timeline.

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

General Requirements

Erecting most structures or changing the use of land within Grantsville requires a zoning permit. County building permit is also required in most cases. Certain smaller structures require a zoning permit only.

Required Documents

  • Zoning permit application
  • Site layout
  • Two sets of building plans for the 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 Grantsville Town Hall after county planning review; contact Town Hall at 301-895-3144 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 Grantsville (zoning permits -- with different routing); Garrett County Department of Planning & Land Management -- Permits & Inspections Division (building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Grantsville Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Grantsville, MD?
Erecting most structures or changing the use of land within Grantsville requires a zoning permit. County building permit is also required in most cases. Certain smaller structures require a zoning permit only.
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Grantsville, MD?
1. Confirm that the project is within Grantsville town limits and requires a zoning permit. 2. Apply for the zoning permit at the Garrett County Planning & Land Management Division at the Courthouse (note: for Grantsville, the county reviews first and the applicant then pays fees at Town Hall, unlike most other Garrett County towns where the application starts at Town Hall). 3. If a county building permit is also required, initiate the building permit application with the Permits & Inspections Division after zoning is approved. 4. Submit two sets of building plans and required supporting documents. 5. Pay county building permit fees. 6. Receive issued permits. Post the building permit placard. Do not begin construction until all required permits are issued. 7. Schedule county building inspections via Citizen Connect or 301-334-7470.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Grantsville, MD?
Typical processing time is Not published as a single standard. Contact Planning & Land Management (301-334-1920) or Grantsville Town Hall (301-895-3144) with project details to determine permit requirements and timeline..
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Grantsville, 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 Grantsville, 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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