Shed Permit in Montgomery County, Maryland
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before installing constructing or moving any shed on residential property
Issued byMontgomery County Department of Permitting Services
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
- Median to issue
- 10 days
- 322 records
- Typical job value
- $4,800
- declared valuation
Quick answer
A building permit is required to install, move, or construct any shed in Montgomery County regardless of size. One-story sheds with a floor area of 200 sq ft or less do not require structural plan review and are eligible for Fast Track processing. Sheds over 200 sq ft require full construction plans and standard review of up to 17 days. A zoning review of the proposed location is also required.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before installing constructing or moving any shed on residential property
Shed size, height and setback rules in Montgomery County
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
- Size limit
- In the Residential Detached zones, all accessory buildings on a lot with a detached house may together cover no more than 50% of the house's footprint or 600 square feet, whichever is greater. codelibrary.amlegal.com document
- Height limit
- In the R-90 zone, an accessory structure such as a shed may be up to 20 feet tall. codelibrary.amlegal.com document
- Setback
- In the R-90 zone, an accessory structure must be at least 5 feet from the side lot line and at least 5 feet from the rear lot line (10 feet from the rear line on a corner lot whose neighbouring lot fronts on the side street and is in a Residential Detached zone). codelibrary.amlegal.com document
- Placement
- In the R-90 zone, an accessory structure must be at least 60 feet from the front lot line and must also sit behind the rear building line of the house. codelibrary.amlegal.com document
- Setback
- In the R-90 zone, an accessory structure taller than 15 feet needs 2 more feet of side and rear setback for each foot above 15 feet, and one longer than 24 feet along a side or rear lot line needs 2 more feet of setback for every 2 feet beyond 24 feet. codelibrary.amlegal.com document
What a shed permit costs in Montgomery County
How Montgomery County compares in Maryland
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel County | It depends | one-story detached shed accessory to a residence, average height not over 10 feet; every shed in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and any shed within 3 feet of the house needs a permit |
| Baltimore County | It depends | accessory structure floor area |
| Howard County | It depends | sheds under 200 sq ft (one-story, non-conditioned, detached) are exempt from a building permit; 200 sq ft or more requires a Miscellaneous Structures building permit |
| Montgomery Countythis page | Permit required | Any size |
| Prince George's County | It depends | floor space of a one-story detached accessory structure, and only one such exempt structure is allowed per property |
How to apply in Montgomery County
In Montgomery County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.
What most shed permit applications include:
- For Montgomery County, a written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
- For Montgomery County, a scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
- Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
- Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).
General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services sets the exact checklist for Montgomery County.
Where to apply in Montgomery County:
Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services
- 2425 Reedie Drive 7th Floor Wheaton MD 20902
- Phone: 240-777-0311
Shed Permit in Montgomery County compared with nearby Maryland localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Maryland schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | Permit required | Any size | Priced as an Accessory Building: $136.80 flat for 200 sq ft or less, or $0.8830 per sq... | |
| Anne Arundel County | It depends | one-story detached shed accessory to a residence, average height not over 10 feet; every shed in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and any shed within 3 feet of the house needs a permit | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... | |
| Baltimore County | It depends | accessory structure floor area | ...Permit Fee Schedule effective 07/01/26: Accessory Structure, Under 1000 sf... | |
| Howard County | It depends | sheds under 200 sq ft (one-story, non-conditioned, detached) are exempt from a building permit; 200 sq ft or more requires a Miscellaneous Structures building permit | $50 per structure for sheds over 200 and up to 400 sq ft (Miscellaneous Structures... | |
| Prince George's County | It depends | floor space of a one-story detached accessory structure, and only one such exempt structure is allowed per property | DPIE Fee Schedule, effective March 2, 2025, line item "Shed > 150 Sq Ft", $1.17 per SF:... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Montgomery County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
- Foundation or anchor inspection in Montgomery County: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
- Frame inspection in Montgomery County: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
- Final inspection in Montgomery County: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
- In Montgomery County: for a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Montgomery County permit portal or by phone at 240-777-0311.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Shed Permit checklist for Montgomery County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before installing constructing or moving any shed on residential property.
- Budget the fee. Priced as an Accessory Building: $136.80 flat for 200 sq ft or less, or $0.8830 per sq ft for 201 sq ft and up, per DPS-Fees-ResConst-FY27.pdf effective 2026-07-01. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Montgomery County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the Montgomery County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services. Phone: 240-777-0311. Address: 2425 Reedie Drive 7th Floor Wheaton MD 20902.
- Plan for inspections. In Montgomery County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Real Shed Permit data in Montgomery County
- Median to issue
- 10 days
- 322 records
- Typical job value
- $4,800
- declared valuation
Across 322 recent shed permit records in Montgomery County: median project value $4,800; they typically took 10 days to issue.
Medians of real issued-permit records, not a quote.
Data as of . Source: Montgomery County residential building permits (open data).
First-time inspection pass rates in Montgomery County
Measured from Montgomery County's own inspection event log: how often each inspection type passes on the first visit.
- FINAL: 72% pass first time (n=16,764)
- FOOTING,PIERS, FOUNDATION: 85% pass first time (n=8,077)
- FRAMING OR CLOSE IN-ADD&ALTER: 75% pass first time (n=8,057)
- PERMIT NOTIFICATION SIGN: 77% pass first time (n=5,681)
- INSULATION INSPECTION: 91% pass first time (n=5,502)
to . Source: Montgomery County permit inspections (open data). Full study.
Permitting activity in Montgomery County
In 2025, Montgomery County authorized permits for 1,411 new residential housing units (804 single-family, 607 in multi-family buildings), valued at $272M, down from 3,656 the year before. That works out to about 1.3 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025 annual data · population 1,074,582.
About Montgomery County
Montgomery County has about 405,127 housing units. The median home is valued at $615,200, against a median household income of $128,733. About 65% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1980.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Montgomery County?
- A building permit is required to install, move, or construct any shed in Montgomery County regardless of size. One-story sheds with a floor area of 200 sq ft or less do not require structural plan review and are eligible for Fast Track processing. Sheds over 200 sq ft require full construction plans and standard review of up to 17 days. A zoning review of the proposed location is also required. Always confirm with the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Montgomery County?
- Priced as an Accessory Building: $136.80 flat for 200 sq ft or less, or $0.8830 per sq ft for 201 sq ft and up, per DPS-Fees-ResConst-FY27.pdf effective 2026-07-01. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- How long does a shed permit take in Montgomery County?
- Across 322 recent shed permit records in Montgomery County, the median time to issue was 10 days. Individual projects vary with scope and office workload, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Montgomery County?
- You can apply through the Montgomery County permit portal or contact the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Montgomery County?
- Under Maryland law (Md. Code, Bus. Occ. and Prof. 12-301(b), 6-607(1); Public Safety 12-505): It depends on the trade and the county. Plumbing: state law exempts an individual who personally provides plumbing services in their own residence, but homeowners may not make final connections between the residence and public or private water supply or disposal systems, and Baltimore County plus the WSSC-area counties are largely carved out of the state plumbing title. Electrical: the Maryland Electricians Act prohibits providing electrical services for compensation without a license; it has no express homeowner exemption, so uncompensated work on one's own home falls outside the licensing prohibition, but each county decides whether it will issue an electrical permit to an unlicensed homeowner. Building permits are issued by local jurisdictions, which set their own owner-applicant rules. Confirm how Montgomery County applies this before you apply.
How the 10 days break down
Application filed
Submitted through the permit portal, with the fee due at submission.
Review
A correction request restarts this leg, which is the single largest reason a permit takes longer than the median.
Permit issued
Median across 322shed permit records in the last 12 months. Half were faster, half slower.
Inspections
The sequence in the checklist above. Work that is covered up before its inspection generally has to be reopened.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Montgomery County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Set locally | Filed as a residential Alteration Building Permit at $0.78 per sq ft of altered area... |
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Any size | $223.87 flat for an open unenclosed deck 500 sq ft or less, or $0.8830 per sq ft for... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Any size | $111.94 minimum fee for a residential one or two family dwelling electrical permit... |
| EV Charger Permit | It depends | Permit requirements are set by the county, but the work is regulated statewide: every... | $62.19 for an Electrical Charging Station under Other Electrical Equipment, charged in... |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Any size | $89.54 flat Fence Permit fee per DPS-Fees-ResConst-FY27.pdf effective 2026-07-01 |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Any size | Mechanical Permit minimum fee $80.84 for a residential one or two family dwelling... |
| Patio Permit | No permit needed | Exempt | No fee for a ground-level concrete or paver patio since no permit is required |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | See schedule |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Any size | $360.68 for a private in-ground swimming pool including its fence per... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | No permit needed | Exempt | No fee for replacing only the roof covering since no permit is required |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | $261.18 flat for rooftop solar panels, with a reduced $130.59 fee for rooftop solar... |
| Water Heater Permit | It depends | It depends on the county | See schedule |
Shed Permit in other Maryland localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Montgomery County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
- IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC
- IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC
How this shed permit page for Montgomery County was verified. 2 official sources: montgomerycountymd.gov, montgomerycountymd.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
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