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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Takoma Park
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.
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
- 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
- Exempt Dumpster or storage-container permit is not required if the dumpster is placed in a privately owned driveway or parking lot
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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.
- Permit validity
- Public-facing expiration rules vary by City permit type.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No consolidated public turnaround chart was located for municipality letters or City companion permits.
- 01 Determine whether the project needs a Takoma Park municipality letter, City tree or stormwater review, City right-of-way permits, and/or County HAWP.
- 02 Obtain the City municipality letter for construction or renovation if the project requires a County permit.
- 03 Apply to Montgomery County DPS for the building or trade permit.
- 04 Apply separately through MyTKPK for any City permit required for right-of-way, driveway apron, dumpster, tree protection, or stormwater impacts.
- 05 Upload required drawings and documents; pay City invoices through the portal where applicable.
- 06 Wait for City review and County permit issuance before starting work.
- 07 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective See individual department pages for current fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Stormwater concept or site development fee is $50 for single-family; Tree Protection Plan Permit application fee is $50
02
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.
03
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.
04
Reinspection fee
Chapter 11.12 authorizes stop-work orders and municipal-infraction enforcement for violations.
MyTKPK sends an email when the invoice is ready; applicants log back into the portal, view invoices, and pay online.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective See individual department pages for current fees) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 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 sequence: City companion inspections for local permits as applicable, plus County building/trade inspections for the underlying construction permit
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Takoma Park permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Takoma Park, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in Takoma Park, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Takoma Park, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Takoma Park, MD, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Takoma Park, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in Takoma Park, MD typically run No consolidated public turnaround chart was located for municipality letters or City companion permits.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Takoma Park, MD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Takoma Park, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Takoma Park, MD via: Permit-specific scheduling through MyTKPK or County DPS. The right-of-way page recommends inspections be requested at least one week in advance.
last verified April 2026
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 ↗
entry id permits/maryland/montgomery/takoma-park
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with 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. Jaspector is not legal advice.