Building Permits

Building Permits are required for most new construction, additions and renovations. Accessory buildings (like garages & sheds) that are larger than 240 square feet also need a building permit. A Building Permit may also be needed to open or expand a business. Please call the Permits Office for more details about permit requirements in specific situations including exemptions for agricultural structures.

Permit Applications
Building Permits can be initiated at the Permits Office from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Application Information (6.69 KB) document contains a list of information needed for a permit. Plans or drawings of the proposed construction are required to be submitted for review. Commercial projects may require plans prepared by an architect and/or structural engineer and may be subject to a stormwater management concept plan review. Applications may require review and approval by other County and State agencies as outlined in the development and construction process (266.94 KB) .

Fees
Building Permit fees for single family homes and additions are based upon square footage. There are set fees for modular and manufactured homes. Please click the following for a complete list of all application fees (105.92 KB) .

Inspections
Please call the Permits Office (301-334-7470) at least 24 hours in advance to schedule inspections. Do not call the inspectors in the field to schedule. We cannot set a specific time for an inspection. Please provide the permit number when scheduling.

Life of a Permit and Permit Refunds
Construction must begin within one year after a permit is issued or the permit will become void. After construction begins, a permit can also be declared void if there is no activity on the project for over a year. Within the first year after a permit is issued, and provided no construction activity has yet taken place, a written request may be submitted for either a permit extension or for a refund of 50% of the permit fee.

Current Building Codes
The 2015 Garrett County Building Code (838.84 KB) adopts the 2015 International Building Code, 2015 International Residential Code and 2015 Energy Conservation Code with certain modifications and amendments. Additionally, all codes adopted by the Maryland Codes Administration through the Maryland Building Performance Standards (38.07 KB) are in force in Garrett County.

Contractor Licensing
A landowner may serve as their own general contractor subject to certain requirements. Otherwise a properly licensed contractor will be needed for each building permit. All builders of new homes must be registered with the Maryland Home Builder Registration Unit (MHBR). The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) licenses and regulates contractors performing home improvement work such as additions and remodeling and garages and pole buildings.

As of November 1, 2015, all manufactured (mobile) home installers in Maryland must be licensed in compliance with the HUD-Administered Manufactured Home State Installation Program. “Manufactured Homes” applies to single and double-wide mobile homes, not modular homes.