How much does a building permit cost in Takoma Park, MD?

The minimum permit fee is Stormwater concept or site development fee is $50 for single-family; Tree Protection Plan Permit application fee is $50. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Example public fees include stormwater concept review at $0.05 per square foot of impervious area for larger commercial and multifamily projects, and final commercial stormwater fee at 10% of system construction cost.. Plan check fee: Not stated as a single citywide plan-check percentage; chapter 11.12 authorizes the Director to establish permit application fees covering processing, review, inspection, and certification..

How do I apply for a building permit in Takoma Park, MD?

1. Determine whether the project needs a Takoma Park municipality letter, City tree or stormwater review, City right-of-way permits, and/or County HAWP. 2. Obtain the City municipality letter for construction or renovation if the project requires a County permit. 3. Apply to Montgomery County DPS for the building or trade permit. 4. Apply separately through MyTKPK for any City permit required for right-of-way, driveway apron, dumpster, tree protection, or stormwater impacts. 5. Upload required drawings and documents; pay City invoices through the portal where applicable. 6. Wait for City review and County permit issuance before starting work. 7. Complete City and County inspections as required by the specific permit set.

What work is exempt from building permits in Takoma Park, MD?

The following work is generally exempt: No City permit is required under Takoma Park Code chapter 11.12 to excavate a state-highway right-of-way when a state permit is required under Maryland Transportation section 8-646; Dumpster or storage-container permit is not required if the dumpster is placed in a privately owned driveway or parking lot; Additions or modifications to existing detached single-family residences do not require a City stormwater permit if the project does not disturb more than 5,000 square feet of land area. Note: Use Prince George's County exempt-work guidance as the baseline for county permit exemptions, then confirm whether any separate town approval is still needed.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Takoma Park, MD?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Permit-specific scheduling through MyTKPK or County DPS. The right-of-way page recommends inspections be requested at least one week in advance.

City Building Permits

Takoma Park, MD - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Takoma Park, Maryland. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Maryland Montgomery County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Takoma Park is incorporated, but the City states that most construction or renovation work requires a City municipality letter first and then a Montgomery County building permit. Depending on project scope, separate City tree, stormwater, driveway, dumpster, fence, or right-of-way permits may also be required, and properties in the historic district may need a County HAWP.

Department: Building permits are administered by Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services; local companion permits and municipality letters are administered by the City of Takoma Park, primarily through Housing and Community Development and Public Works
Address: City of Takoma Park, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912; County DPS at 2425 Reedie Drive, 7th Floor, Wheaton, MD 20902
Phone: City 301-891-7100; County DPS 311 in county or 240-777-0311
Email: housing@takomaparkmd.gov or UrbanForestManager@takomaparkmd.gov
Website: https://takomaparkmd.gov/391/PERMITS-LICENSES

Online Permit Portal

Open MyTKPK Web Portal

Platform: MyTKPK • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine whether the project needs a Takoma Park municipality letter, City tree or stormwater review, City right-of-way permits, and/or County HAWP.
Obtain the City municipality letter for construction or renovation if the project requires a County permit.
Apply to Montgomery County DPS for the building or trade permit.
Apply separately through MyTKPK for any City permit required for right-of-way, driveway apron, dumpster, tree protection, or stormwater impacts.
Upload required drawings and documents; pay City invoices through the portal where applicable.
Wait for City review and County permit issuance before starting work.
Complete City and County inspections as required by the specific permit set.

Typical processing time: No consolidated public turnaround chart was located for municipality letters or City companion permits.

Source: Building permits are administered by Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services; local companion permits and municipality letters are administered by the City of Takoma Park, primarily through Housing and Community Development and Public Works

General Requirements

Takoma Park says any renovation, building, or outdoor project requiring a Montgomery County permit first requires a City municipality letter. City permits may also be required for trees, stormwater, dumpster placement, driveway aprons, fences, and right-of-way work.

Required Documents

Depends on permit type
City pages reference municipality letter requests, supporting drawings and documents for right-of-way work
Full application packets for tree protection permits
Stormwater submittals must follow City Code section 16.04.140 and MDE design-manual requirements

Permit validity: Public-facing expiration rules vary by City permit type.
Building code: Underlying building-code enforcement for most construction is through Montgomery County DPS. Takoma Park also applies local codes for trees, stormwater, and right-of-way improvements.
Owner-builder: For tree protection plan permits, the City states only the property owner may submit the application through MyTKPK. County owner-builder rules continue to govern the underlying building permit.
Contractor requirements: Underlying building and trade work follows Montgomery County and Maryland state licensing rules.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Stormwater concept or site development fee is $50 for single-family; Tree Protection Plan Permit application fee is $50
Plan check fee: Not stated as a single citywide plan-check percentage; chapter 11.12 authorizes the Director to establish permit application fees covering processing, review, inspection, and certification.
Permit fee formula: Mixed. Example public fees include stormwater concept review at $0.05 per square foot of impervious area for larger commercial and multifamily projects, and final commercial stormwater fee at 10% of system construction cost.
Reinspection fee: Chapter 11.12 authorizes stop-work orders and municipal-infraction enforcement for violations.
Payment note: MyTKPK sends an email when the invoice is ready; applicants log back into the portal, view invoices, and pay online.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective See individual department pages for current fees).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

No City permit is required under Takoma Park Code chapter 11.12 to excavate a state-highway right-of-way when a state permit is required under Maryland Transportation section 8-646
Dumpster or storage-container permit is not required if the dumpster is placed in a privately owned driveway or parking lot
Additions or modifications to existing detached single-family residences do not require a City stormwater permit if the project does not disturb more than 5,000 square feet of land area

Important: Use Prince George's County exempt-work guidance as the baseline for county permit exemptions, then confirm whether any separate town approval is still needed.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Permit-specific scheduling through MyTKPK or County DPS (hybrid)

Scheduling deadline: The right-of-way page recommends inspections be requested at least one week in advance
Inspection hours: City office hours Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: City companion inspections for local permits as applicable, plus County building/trade inspections for the underlying construction permit

Additional Resources

Building code: Underlying building-code enforcement for most construction is through Montgomery County DPS. Takoma Park also applies local codes for trees, stormwater, and right-of-way improvements.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Owner-builder rules: View rules
Municipality Letters for Construction
Tree Impact Assessment and Tree Protection
Stormwater Management Permits
Work In the Right-of-Way
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 Building permits are administered by Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services; local companion permits and municipality letters are administered by the City of Takoma Park, primarily through Housing and Community Development and Public Works before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Takoma Park Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Takoma Park, MD?: Takoma Park says any renovation, building, or outdoor project requiring a Montgomery County permit first requires a City municipality letter. City permits may also be required for trees, stormwater, dumpster placement, driveway aprons, fences, and right-of-way work.
How much does a building permit cost in Takoma Park, MD?: The minimum permit fee is Stormwater concept or site development fee is $50 for single-family; Tree Protection Plan Permit application fee is $50. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Example public fees include stormwater concept review at $0.05 per square foot of impervious area for larger commercial and multifamily projects, and final commercial stormwater fee at 10% of system construction cost.. Plan check fee: Not stated as a single citywide plan-check percentage; chapter 11.12 authorizes the Director to establish permit application fees covering processing, review, inspection, and certification..
How do I apply for a building permit in Takoma Park, MD?: 1. Determine whether the project needs a Takoma Park municipality letter, City tree or stormwater review, City right-of-way permits, and/or County HAWP. 2. Obtain the City municipality letter for construction or renovation if the project requires a County permit. 3. Apply to Montgomery County DPS for the building or trade permit. 4. Apply separately through MyTKPK for any City permit required for right-of-way, driveway apron, dumpster, tree protection, or stormwater impacts. 5. Upload required drawings and documents; pay City invoices through the portal where applicable. 6. Wait for City review and County permit issuance before starting work. 7. Complete City and County inspections as required by the specific permit set.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Takoma Park, MD?: Typical processing time is No consolidated public turnaround chart was located for municipality letters or City companion permits..
What work is exempt from building permits in Takoma Park, MD?: The following work is generally exempt: No City permit is required under Takoma Park Code chapter 11.12 to excavate a state-highway right-of-way when a state permit is required under Maryland Transportation section 8-646; Dumpster or storage-container permit is not required if the dumpster is placed in a privately owned driveway or parking lot; Additions or modifications to existing detached single-family residences do not require a City stormwater permit if the project does not disturb more than 5,000 square feet of land area. Note: Use Prince George's County exempt-work guidance as the baseline for county permit exemptions, then confirm whether any separate town approval is still needed.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Takoma Park, MD?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Permit-specific scheduling through MyTKPK or County DPS. The right-of-way page recommends inspections be requested at least one week in advance.

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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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