Administrative overview · FIPS 24031
Montgomery 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
Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services
For a project in or near Montgomery 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
240-777-0311 (DPS/MC 311); 240-777-6370 (permit status/application support)
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
2425 Reedie Drive, 7th Floor, Wheaton, MD 20902
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; electronic applications are available 24/7
Review expectation
Eligible residential fast-track applications may be issued in a few hours; other adequately prepared applications, such as regular deck reviews, may take up to 17 days. Actual timing varies by application type, corrections, and outside approvals.
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 Montgomery County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services 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 240-777-0311 (DPS/MC 311); 240-777-6370 (permit status/application support).
How long might review take?
Eligible residential fast-track applications may be issued in a few hours; other adequately prepared applications, such as regular deck reviews, may take up to 17 days. Actual timing varies by application type, corrections, and outside approvals.
How are inspections scheduled?
Use the DPS online inspection request portal after plan reviews are complete and the permit is issued; enter the permit's Contact ID and select a date within the next seven business days. For next-day commercial inspection problems before noon call 240-777-0311. Framing/close-in inspections require associated electrical rough-in and mechanical close-in inspections; final building inspection requires associated electrical and mechanical finals. No inspection can be scheduled for inactive, stop-work, unpaid, denied, or otherwise unresolved applications.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Current Montgomery County adoptions include the 2021 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Energy Conservation, Green Construction, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes with county amendments; 2021 NFPA 1 Fire Code and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code with local fire-safety amendments; NFPA 70/National Electrical Code as adopted by Maryland and Montgomery County; Maryland Accessibility Code; and the 2025 Maryland State Fire Prevention Code. The county lists the 2026 NEC as pending rather than adopted. The county says permits are usually not required for bathroom caulking; cabinets; driveway work on private property; same-location/same-height replacement of a fence originally installed with a permit; floor coverings; gutters/downspouts; patios; prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep; private walkways; retaining walls not over 48 inches measured from footing bottom to top unless supporting a surcharge; retractable awnings/canopies; roof covering only; siding; in-kind storm windows; swings/playground equipment/playhouses/treehouses; wall repair/painting; windows/doors without changing opening or net clear opening; and window screens. Permits are still required for most structural/accessory work, including all sheds and decks, and municipal/HOA rules may also apply.