Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Kensington, Maryland

Town of Kensington’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, enlargement, alteration, removal or demolition of buildings, structures, driveways and parking surfaces inside Kensington town limits

  • Application with plans and specifications is filed with the Town; the permit is issued at the discretion of the town manager or designee.
  • Town permit does not exempt anyone from obtaining Montgomery County permits required by county law.
  • A violation is a municipal infraction (Class A) under Chapter X, with three business days to comply after written notice.

  permit fee: set by council resolution (amount determined by resolution of the council from time to time) · street bond or cash deposit per permit: >= 50 USD (up to $5,000, set by mayor; more if mayor determines the interests of the town require)

  “it shall be unlawful to construct, enlarge, place, alter, remove, or demolish any building or structure or part thereof, to include without limitation driveways and all parking surfaces, and dumpsters or other storage receptacles, without first obtaining a building permit from the town.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction, alteration and repair of buildings inside Kensington town limits: the Town adopts Montgomery County Code Chapter 8 'Buildings' (1984 edition) by reference

  • Adoption includes future amendments, revisions or changes to Montgomery County Chapter 8 'except as otherwise provided' in the Town code.
  • Montgomery County is authorized by the Town to enforce this section.
  • Copy of Chapter 8 is kept in the Town office.

  adopted code: Montgomery County Code Chapter 8 'Buildings' (1984 edition) (including future amendments as stated in the Town code)

  “including any future amendments, revisions, or changes thereto, is hereby adopted and made part of this code by reference except as otherwise provided in this code.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Construction of driveways and parking surfaces inside Kensington town limits (a Town building permit is required to build them)

  • This establishes a Town building permit for driveway construction; separate curb-cut or right-of-way approval was not checked.

  “it shall be unlawful to construct, enlarge, place, alter, remove, or demolish any building or structure or part thereof, to include without limitation driveways and all parking surfaces”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Town building permit fee for work inside Kensington town limits

  • Fee is set by council resolution from time to time; the resolution was not located.
  • Deposit of $50 to $5,000 per permit is also required for street and sidewalk damage (set by mayor).

  permit fee: set by council resolution (determined by resolution of the council from time to time)

  “before any permit is issued, the applicant shall pay to the town a permit fee, the amount of which shall be determined by resolution of the council from time to time.”

• Permit processPartial

  Town building permit application process inside Kensington town limits

  • Application goes to the Town; the Town permit does not replace county permits required by county law.
  • Permit issuance is discretionary by the town manager or designee.
  • Plan review timelines and the application form were not located.

  “application therefor, together with a copy of the plans and specifications for the work to be done, shall be filed with the town.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Kensington or Montgomery County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Kensington town limits
• Inspections — Required inspections of new or altered buildings inside Kensington town limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Kensington town limits
• Local zoning — Zoning for land inside Kensington town limits
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Kensington town limits

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.