Gaithersburg, MD — 2026 Building Permit Guide

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§ 01

Permit authority

City of Gaithersburg Permits and Inspections / Planning, Permitting, and Licensing

Street address

City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Phone

301-258-6330

permitting@gaithersburgmd.gov

Coverage

The City of Gaithersburg runs its own permit and inspection program within city limits for building, electrical, mechanical, fire systems, grading and sediment control, forest conservation, roads, storm drains, and stormwater management.

Online portal

Planning, Permitting, and Licensing Portal

EnerGov Self Service

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Gaithersburg

The City says permits are generally required for constructing, enlarging, altering, moving, or demolishing structures; all electrical, mechanical/HVAC, fire protection, and site-development work; tree removal; sign installation or modification; sheds, decks, and patios that alter drainage; and interior remodeling.

Scope of work

Permit?

Painting

Exempt

Re-shingling a roof

Exempt

Replacing windows of the same size and style

Exempt

Exempt Painting
Exempt Re-shingling a roof
Exempt Replacing windows of the same size and style

Note: These exceptions do not apply to properties in the Historic District. Contact the City to confirm whether your project requires a permit.

Required documents

Application and project-specific digital submissions
DWG or GIS-based digital information in some cases
PDF format for some site-development submissions
Compliance with City file-naming rules and additional templates

Building code: The City states its currently effective building and trade codes include 2021 IBC, IRC, IEBC, IgCC, IMC, IECC, IFGC, ISPSC, ICC Performance Code, Maryland Accessibility Code, and 2020 NEC, with city amendments.
Permit validity: Public-facing permit-expiration guidance was not located on the main City permitting page.
Owner-builder: The adopted fee schedule specifically lists homeowner-approved electrical and mechanical permit fees for certain residential improvements, indicating the City recognizes limited homeowner-filed trade work.
Contractor requirements: The City fee schedule includes master and limited electrician license application fees, and the portal FAQ states registrations and licenses can be renewed online. Maryland state licensing and registration rules still apply where applicable.

Source: City of Gaithersburg Permits and Inspections / Planning, Permitting, and Licensing ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: No general citywide building-permit turnaround chart was located on the public permitting page; public-facing timing data is thin.

01

Create a portal account in the Planning, Permitting, and Licensing Portal.
02

Select the permit, license, or plan application and complete the intake fields online.
03

Upload required digital files and supporting documentation; the City publishes digital submission requirements and templates.
04

Pay invoices through the portal when billed.
05

Monitor the permit status online and upload revised drawings or additional documents if requested.
06

Once approved, obtain the issued permit in the portal.
07

Schedule inspections online or by the automated inspection line, using the permit PIN and inspection code.

Typical processing time: No general citywide building-permit turnaround chart was located on the public permitting page; public-facing timing data is thin.

Source: City of Gaithersburg Permits and Inspections / Planning, Permitting, and Licensing ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective Fiscal Year 2026

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Residential improvement building permit fee $50 minimum, rising to $375 minimum if project cost exceeds $20,000; many commercial building permit fees have a $175 minimum

Plan check fee

Commercial building permit fee states it includes 2 plan reviews; third plan review is 75% of original permit fees up to $3,000, and each subsequent plan review is 100% of original permit fee up to $5,000.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Residential improvements use flat application fees plus square-foot minimums; commercial construction uses application fees plus $0.30 per square foot or 1.50% of project cost, whichever is greater; many categories add a 10% automation fee.

Reinspection fee

Category-specific reinspection charges appear in the published fee schedule

Penalty (no permit)

Occupancy-without-permit fee of $500; category-specific penalties vary.

Portal invoices are paid online; the City warns users about fraudulent payment emails and directs them to use the portal workflow.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Fiscal Year 2026) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Automated inspection line (phone)
Online scheduling (see website) (online)

Scheduling deadline: Requests must be received before 12:00 PM on the preceding business day
Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical sequence: Permit-specific; City instructions require the permit PIN and inspection code listed under the permit's required inspections

Source: City of Gaithersburg Permits and Inspections / Planning, Permitting, and Licensing ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Gaithersburg permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Gaithersburg, MD? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Gaithersburg, MD? ▸

Building permit fees in Gaithersburg, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential improvement building permit fee $50 minimum, rising to $375 minimum if project cost exceeds $20,000; many commercial building permit fees have a $175 minimum. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential improvements use flat application fees plus square-foot minimums; commercial construction uses application fees plus $0.30 per square foot or 1.50% of project cost, whichever is greater; many categories add a 10% automation fee.. Plan check fee: Commercial building permit fee states it includes 2 plan reviews; third plan review is 75% of original permit fees up to $3,000, and each subsequent plan review is 100% of original permit fee up to $5,000..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Gaithersburg, MD? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Gaithersburg, MD, follow these steps: 1. Create a portal account in the Planning, Permitting, and Licensing Portal. 2. Select the permit, license, or plan application and complete the intake fields online. 3. Upload required digital files and supporting documentation; the City publishes digital submission requirements and templates. 4. Pay invoices through the portal when billed. 5. Monitor the permit status online and upload revised drawings or additional documents if requested. 6. Once approved, obtain the issued permit in the portal. 7. Schedule inspections online or by the automated inspection line, using the permit PIN and inspection code.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Gaithersburg, MD? ▸

Building permit processing times in Gaithersburg, MD typically run No general citywide building-permit turnaround chart was located on the public permitting page; public-facing timing data is thin.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Gaithersburg, MD? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Gaithersburg, MD. The following work is generally exempt: Painting; Re-shingling a roof; Replacing windows of the same size and style. Note: These exceptions do not apply to properties in the Historic District. Contact the City to confirm whether your project requires a permit. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Gaithersburg, MD? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Gaithersburg, MD via: Automated inspection line, Online scheduling (see website). Requests must be received before 12:00 PM on the preceding business day.

last verified April 2026 source City of Gaithersburg Permits and Inspections / Planning, Permitting, and Licensing ↗ entry id permits/maryland/montgomery/gaithersburg

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Gaithersburg Permits and Inspections / Planning, Permitting, and Licensing before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Gaithersburg

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