On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Montgomery County
County guidance says permits are typically required before constructing, demolishing, adding, installing, or altering accessory structures, additions, decks, apron work, electrical work, HVAC replacement, interior alterations, retaining walls, signs, pools, wells, sheds, and land disturbance above stated thresholds.
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: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Montgomery County DPS before proceeding.
Required documents
- Permit application
- Site plan or house location survey where applicable
- Construction drawings and technical data
- Engineering details when required
- ACCA Manual J calculations for some HVAC work
- Approved plans must remain on site after issuance
- Building code
- Montgomery County adopted 2021 IBC, IRC, IEBC, IgCC, IMC, IECC, IFGC, and ISPSC effective December 10, 2024, with local amendments; County materials also reference currently adopted NEC/NFPA standards by discipline.
- Permit validity
- 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, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months. One 6-month extension is available by timely written request and fee.
- Owner-builder
- County code bars issuance of a residential building permit to anyone other than a licensed building contractor except for a residence for the person or immediate family use. Homeowners doing their own electrical work at a single-family detached primary residence may qualify by passing the County homeowner electrical exam.
- Contractor requirements
- County code requires a licensed building contractor for most residential permits not exempted for owner or immediate family use; DPS also separately licenses or tests certain trades locally, and Maryland state trade licensing and MHIC registration still apply depending on scope.
Source: Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Standard residential building permit applications typically take about 4 weeks for first review comments; residential fast-track applications are generally issued in 1 to 2 days; some FCC permits are stated as 7 to 14 days.
- 01 Confirm whether the work needs a permit and whether any municipality, HOA, historic, or special district approval is also needed.
- 02 Create an eServices account and submit the permit application through Apply and ePay; pay the filing fee at application if required.
- 03 Upload plans and supporting documents through ePlans when plan review is required.
- 04 DPS reviews for code, zoning, and other applicable requirements; corrections are resubmitted electronically if requested.
- 05 Pay remaining fees and receive the issued permit and approved plans electronically.
- 06 Post the permit and keep approved plans on site.
- 07 Schedule required inspections online or through MC311; obtain final approval before occupancy or closeout.
Typical processing time: Standard residential building permit applications typically take about 4 weeks for first review comments; residential fast-track applications are generally issued in 1 to 2 days; some FCC permits are stated as 7 to 14 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; see current fee schedule for specific minimums
02
Plan check fee
Many permit types embed filing/review charges in the published fee structure; expedited plan review is listed at 25% of total permit fee; some engineered permits require a filing fee equal to 50% of the total permit fee.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Many permits are square-foot, disturbed-area, linear-foot, fixture, device, or estimated-project-cost based. Land development engineered permits use percentages of estimated project cost; many trade and miscellaneous permits are flat fee schedules.
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection after two disapprovals is $104.91; initial inspection of sites where work proceeds without a permit is $162.22; applicant-requested partial inspection is $104.91
05
Penalty (no permit)
Extensions are generally 15% of filing or permit fee, depending on permit type.
County process pages say 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: Varies by permit type; 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 unincorporated Montgomery County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, MD? ▸
County guidance says permits are typically required before constructing, demolishing, adding, installing, or altering accessory structures, additions, decks, apron work, electrical work, HVAC replacement, interior alterations, retaining walls, signs, pools, wells, sheds, and land disturbance above stated thresholds.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Montgomery County, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Montgomery County, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Varies by permit type; see current fee schedule for specific minimums. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Many permits are square-foot, disturbed-area, linear-foot, fixture, device, or estimated-project-cost based. Land development engineered permits use percentages of estimated project cost; many trade and miscellaneous permits are flat fee schedules.. Plan check fee: Many permit types embed filing/review charges in the published fee structure; expedited plan review is listed at 25% of total permit fee; some engineered permits require a filing fee equal to 50% of the total permit fee..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, MD, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the work needs a permit and whether any municipality, HOA, historic, or special district approval is also needed. 2. Create an eServices account and submit the permit application through Apply and ePay; pay the filing fee at application if required. 3. Upload plans and supporting documents through ePlans when plan review is required. 4. DPS reviews for code, zoning, and other applicable requirements; corrections are resubmitted electronically if requested. 5. Pay remaining fees and receive the issued permit and approved plans electronically. 6. Post the permit and keep approved plans on site. 7. Schedule required inspections online or through MC311; obtain final approval before occupancy or closeout.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Montgomery County, MD typically run Standard residential building permit applications typically take about 4 weeks for first review comments; residential fast-track applications are generally issued in 1 to 2 days; some FCC permits are stated as 7 to 14 days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Montgomery County, MD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, 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: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Montgomery County DPS before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Montgomery County, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Montgomery County, 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/unincorporated
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.