Administrative overview · FIPS 24023
Garrett County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Garrett County Department of Community Development - Permits & Inspections Division
For a project in or near Garrett County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
301-334-7470
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
203 South Fourth Street, Room 208, Oakland, MD 21550
Operating hours
Building permit applications may be initiated Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; inspections must be requested at least 24 hours in advance
Review expectation
N/A - Garrett County publishes application requirements, fees, inspection notice, and permit-validity rules but no standard plan-review or issuance timeline. Construction must begin within one year of issuance; after work begins, a permit may become void if the project has no activity for more than one year.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Garrett County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Garrett County Department of Community Development - Permits & Inspections Division is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 301-334-7470.
How long might review take?
N/A - Garrett County publishes application requirements, fees, inspection notice, and permit-validity rules but no standard plan-review or issuance timeline. Construction must begin within one year of issuance; after work begins, a permit may become void if the project has no activity for more than one year.
How are inspections scheduled?
Call the Permits Office at 301-334-7470 at least 24 hours before the requested inspection. Do not call field inspectors directly; the county cannot promise a specific inspection time and requires the permit number. Citizen Connect supports scheduling inspections, uploading documents, signing documents, and paying fees. Final inspections and required use-and-occupancy approval are part of the county process.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
The 2024 Garrett County Building Code adopts the 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code, and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code with local modifications and amendments. All codes adopted by the Maryland Codes Administration through the Maryland Building Performance Standards are also in force. County erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, floodplain, use and occupancy, and applicable electrical/plumbing requirements additionally apply. Most new construction, additions, and renovations require permits. Accessory buildings such as garages and sheds larger than 240 square feet require permits; the county's code exemption was amended from 120 to 240 square feet. Agricultural structures on farms zoned or assessed agricultural and used only for agricultural pursuits are exempt when not intended for or used for human occupancy. The county advises calling the Permits Office about project-specific agricultural and other exemptions; zoning, electrical, plumbing, floodplain, or other approvals may still be required.