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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Bethesda
County permit triggers apply in Bethesda because Bethesda does not run a separate municipal building department.
Bathroom caulking
Cabinet installation, repair, or replacement
Driveway work on private property other than apron work
Repair or replacement of receptacles in the same location
Fence repair or replacement in the same location and height where the original fence was permitted
Floor coverings
Gutters and downspouts
Patios
Prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep
Private walkways
Retaining walls not over 48 inches measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge
Retractable awnings and canopies
Roof covering only
Siding
In-kind storm windows
Swings, playground equipment, playhouses, treehouses, and similar structures
Wall repair or painting
Windows and doors where the opening size and net clear opening dimensions do not change
Window screens
- Exempt Bathroom caulking
- Exempt Cabinet installation, repair, or replacement
- Exempt Driveway work on private property other than apron work
- Exempt Repair or replacement of receptacles in the same location
- Exempt Fence repair or replacement in the same location and height where the original fence was permitted
- Exempt Floor coverings
- Exempt Gutters and downspouts
- Exempt Patios
- Exempt Prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep
- Exempt Private walkways
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 48 inches measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Retractable awnings and canopies
- Exempt Roof covering only
- Exempt Siding
- Exempt In-kind storm windows
- Exempt Swings, playground equipment, playhouses, treehouses, and similar structures
- Exempt Wall repair or painting
- Exempt Windows and doors where the opening size and net clear opening dimensions do not change
- Exempt Window screens
Note: Bethesda follows Montgomery County's published exempt-work guidance for unincorporated areas. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements.
Required documents
- County permit application
- Site plan or survey where applicable
- Construction plans and technical data
- Any overlay-specific materials required by DPS or other reviewing agencies
- Building code
- Montgomery County adopted-code package applies in Bethesda (2021 IBC, IRC, IEBC, IgCC, IMC, IECC, IFGC, and ISPSC effective December 10, 2024, with local amendments).
- Permit validity
- County Chapter 8 permit application and permit expiration rules apply: Building permit application is treated as abandoned after 6 months if not diligently prosecuted or issued. A building permit becomes invalid if no approved inspection is recorded within 12 months after issuance and a second approved inspection is not recorded within 14 months.
- Owner-builder
- County owner-builder and homeowner-electrical exam rules apply.
- Contractor requirements
- County and Maryland state requirements apply.
Source: Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Standard residential building applications typically about 4 weeks to first review comments; some fast-track permits 1 to 2 days.
- 01 Verify the property is in unincorporated Bethesda and determine whether county permitting, planning, or any urban-district, historic, or HOA approvals also apply.
- 02 Create a DPS eServices account and submit the permit application through Apply and ePay.
- 03 Upload plans through ePlans when required.
- 04 Complete zoning and any other applicable reviews.
- 05 Pay fees and receive the permit electronically.
- 06 Post the permit and approved plans on site.
- 07 Schedule and pass required county inspections.
Typical processing time: Standard residential building applications typically about 4 weeks to first review comments; some fast-track permits 1 to 2 days.
Source: Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective Current schedule — see URL for latest updates
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Varies by permit type under the County fee schedule
02
Plan check fee
Same County fee schedule and review-fee structure applies
03
Permit fee formula
Same County mixed schedule used for unincorporated areas: many permits are square-foot, disturbed-area, linear-foot, fixture, device, or estimated-project-cost based.
04
Reinspection fee
Same County reinspection charges ($104.91 after two disapprovals; $162.22 for initial inspection of sites where work proceeds without permit)
Same County eServices payment methods apply: online payment methods include credit card and electronic check; some process pages also state payment can be made online, by mail, or in person depending on permit type.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Current schedule — see URL for latest updates) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- DPS eServices inspection requests (online)
- MC311 / 240-777-0311 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24 hours notice is required for start of work and certain inspections
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Typical sequence: County permit-type sequence: county materials commonly reference footing/foundation and other concealed-work inspections, followed by rough trade inspections, then final inspection before use or occupancy
Source: Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Bethesda permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Bethesda, MD? ▸
County permit triggers apply in Bethesda because Bethesda does not run a separate municipal building department.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Bethesda, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in Bethesda, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Varies by permit type under the County fee schedule. Fees are calculated as: Same County mixed schedule used for unincorporated areas: many permits are square-foot, disturbed-area, linear-foot, fixture, device, or estimated-project-cost based.. Plan check fee: Same County fee schedule and review-fee structure applies.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Bethesda, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Bethesda, MD, follow these steps: 1. Verify the property is in unincorporated Bethesda and determine whether county permitting, planning, or any urban-district, historic, or HOA approvals also apply. 2. Create a DPS eServices account and submit the permit application through Apply and ePay. 3. Upload plans through ePlans when required. 4. Complete zoning and any other applicable reviews. 5. Pay fees and receive the permit electronically. 6. Post the permit and approved plans on site. 7. Schedule and pass required county inspections.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Bethesda, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in Bethesda, MD typically run Standard residential building applications typically about 4 weeks to first review comments; some fast-track permits 1 to 2 days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Bethesda, MD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Bethesda, MD. The following work is generally exempt: Bathroom caulking; Cabinet installation, repair, or replacement; Driveway work on private property other than apron work; Repair or replacement of receptacles in the same location; Fence repair or replacement in the same location and height where the original fence was permitted; Floor coverings; Gutters and downspouts; Patios; Prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep; Private walkways; Retaining walls not over 48 inches measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge; Retractable awnings and canopies; Roof covering only; Siding; In-kind storm windows; Swings, playground equipment, playhouses, treehouses, and similar structures; Wall repair or painting; Windows and doors where the opening size and net clear opening dimensions do not change; Window screens. Note: Bethesda follows Montgomery County's published exempt-work guidance for unincorporated areas. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Bethesda, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Bethesda, MD via: DPS eServices inspection requests, MC311 / 240-777-0311. At least 24 hours notice is required for start of work and certain inspections.
last verified April 2026
source Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) ↗
entry id permits/maryland/montgomery/bethesda
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.