Washington County, MD Building Permits & Zoning Rules

Washington County, Maryland requires a building permit for construction, alteration or occupancy changes to a structure, for any property outside the incorporated towns of Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hagerstown, Hancock, Keedysville, Sharpsburg and Williamsport¹. The county's own zoning ordinance governs land use, buildings and setbacks everywhere outside those incorporated municipalities². Septic and well permits for a new rural home go through the Washington County Health Department, and applicants can apply for both at the same time as the building permit³⁴. An owner who owns and will live in the home may personally serve as general contractor under the homeowner affirmation, but the building permit is still required⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: Required outside Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hagerstown, Hancock, Keedysville, Sharpsburg and Williamsport¹
Zoning: Yes, countywide in unincorporated Washington County under the county's own ordinance²
Septic & well permits: Required from the Health Department; $150 septic, $160 well, $310 for both⁴⁶
Owner-builder: Allowed if you own the property, will live there, and personally serve as general contractor⁵
RV living: Not allowed for living purposes outside a licensed recreational camping area; storage is allowed with setbacks⁷
Accessory dwelling unit (ADU): Allowed in listed zoning districts, up to 1,200 sq ft or 75% of the primary home's floor area⁸
Agricultural building exemption: No building permit needed for a qualifying farm structure if setbacks are met and a certificate is issued⁹
Property tax: About 0.9% effective rate; median bill around $2,444/year¹⁰¹¹

Who to call

Building permits

Washington County Permits & Inspections (Division of Plan Review & Permitting)

Reviews and issues building permits for property outside Washington County's seven incorporated towns

240-313-2460

747 Northern Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Zoning

Washington County Division of Planning & Zoning

Administers the county zoning ordinance, zoning permits and ADU approvals for unincorporated Washington County

240-313-2430

747 Northern Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Septic permits

Washington County Health Department, Environmental Health

Issues septic (onsite sewage disposal) permits for Washington County

240-313-3400

[email protected]

1302 Pennsylvania Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Well permits

Washington County Health Department, Environmental Health

Issues well construction permits for Washington County

240-313-3400

[email protected]

1302 Pennsylvania Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Roads & driveways

Washington County Highways Department

Reviews driveway/entrance permits for access onto county roads

240-313-2720

601 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Floodplain permits

Washington County Engineering Division (Flood Mitigation Program)

Handles floodplain permits and FEMA flood-map questions for Washington County

240-313-2460

747 Northern Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Washington County, Maryland?

A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure in Washington County, and to install or alter the electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems that go with it¹². That requirement applies outside the seven incorporated towns of Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hagerstown, Hancock, Keedysville, Sharpsburg and Williamsport, which run their own building departments¹. Maryland law authorizes Washington County's governing body to regulate construction, adopt a building code, require permits and inspect buildings, which is the legal basis for the county's permitting program¹³. Building permits cover decks and sheds over 400 square feet, so a small shed at or under that size can fall outside the permit requirement¹⁴. A structure tied to an agricultural operation, and not used for human occupancy or open to the public, can be built without a building permit as long as it meets the district's setbacks and gets an agricultural structure certificate⁹.

Who issues building permits in Washington County, and how do you reach them?

Washington County's Permits & Inspections office is at 747 Northern Ave in Hagerstown and can be reached at 240-313-2460¹⁵. Effective July 1, 2026, the county's building excise tax runs $1.75 per square foot for new residential construction and $0.88 per square foot for residential additions and alterations, on top of any permit fee¹⁶. An owner-builder must own the property, reside in the dwelling and personally serve as general contractor; hiring a contractor to construct or install the dwelling instead requires a Maryland Home Builder's License⁵. Once your permit is issued, plan on a minimum of four inspections for a new home or addition, with at least 24 hours' notice required before each one¹⁷. You'll need a final inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy before you can legally occupy the home, and Maryland law requires every local jurisdiction to issue that certificate as part of its minimum building-code enforcement¹⁸¹⁹.

Does Washington County have zoning?

Washington County's zoning ordinance applies to all land outside incorporated municipalities, covering uses, buildings and applicable zoning districts, permits and conditions²²⁰. Maryland's Local Government Article lets a county enact zoning and planning laws, and state policy is that planning and zoning controls are implemented at the local level²¹. A city, town or village that participates in the county's Area-Wide Planning Program can have its zoning prepared, implemented and enforced through the county instead of on its own, so which rules apply near a town can vary²². If you're buying multiple lots or splitting a tract, no lot in unincorporated Washington County can be sold or built on until the Planning Commission approves and the Clerk of the Circuit Court records a subdivision plat²³.

How do septic and well permits work in Washington County?

The Washington County Health Department administers septic and well permitting under authority delegated from the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Health³. Applicants contact the Health Department to apply and pay fees, and can do so at the same time as the building permit application; a septic-only permit runs $150, a well-only permit $160, and a combined well-and-septic permit $310⁴⁶. Statewide, a person may not construct an onsite sewage disposal system without a permit from the Approving Authority, and no part of the system may be covered or used until it's inspected and approved²⁴²⁵. A well construction permit is required for any well built anywhere in Maryland, including one serving a single rural home²⁶. Septic systems are used countywide where public sewer isn't available, and a percolation test evaluates whether a given site's soil can support one²⁷; about 40.1% of Washington County's soils avoid a severe limitation rating for a conventional drain field, better odds than many counties but still worth a site evaluation before you buy²⁸.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Washington County?

No recreational travel vehicle may be used for living purposes in Washington County except in a bona fide recreational camping area; on your own lot, an RV may only be parked or stored as an accessory use in a garage, accessory building, rear yard, side yard or driveway⁷. Outdoor RV storage must sit at least four feet from the rear and side lot lines and at least ten feet from the front lot line or the road, whichever is closer⁷. Washington County's zoning ordinance does not clearly define a use called a tiny home, and this guide could not confirm a specific tiny-home occupancy rule, so check with the Division of Planning & Zoning before you plan to live in one on a rural lot²⁹. The county's own zoning ordinance regulates mobile homes separately from recreational travel vehicles, but the exact manufactured-home occupancy rule for a given parcel is also worth confirming directly with that office before you buy²⁹. If you want extra living space on a property you already own, an accessory dwelling unit is allowed in many zoning districts, up to 1,200 square feet or 75% of the primary home's floor area, whichever is less⁸.

Building a home in Washington County: the steps, in order

Confirm your parcel's zoning district and any subdivision-plat requirements with the Division of Planning & Zoning before you commit to a site²⁹².
Apply for your well and septic permits with the Health Department; you can file this alongside your building-permit application³⁰⁴.
If any part of your project touches a mapped 100-year floodplain, get the required local floodplain permit; Maryland requires every local jurisdiction to permit floodplain development³¹³².
Apply for your building permit through Permits & Inspections, including a complete plot plan and construction drawings¹⁵¹².
If you need a new driveway entrance onto a county road, apply for it with your building permit; expect a $1,500 two-year performance bond, and contact the Maryland State Highway Administration instead if your access is onto a state route³³³⁴³⁵.
Schedule your inspections with at least 24 hours' notice each time, and get your final Certificate of Occupancy before moving in¹⁷¹⁸.

What to check before you buy land in Washington County

Washington County is largely buildable and wooded: about 77.9% of its land sits at 15% slope or less, and roughly 51.1% is forested³⁶³⁷. Farmland here runs about $8,668 an acre, and a typical home is valued around $335,497, in a county of about 155,813 people at a density of about 340.4 people per square mile³⁸³⁹⁴⁰⁴¹. The nearest city of 100,000 or more people is about 57 miles away in a straight line⁴². Expect roughly 40.9 inches of precipitation a year with severe drought in only about 2.3% of years, and budget for a typical home-insurance premium around $1,196 a year and a median property-tax bill around $2,444⁴³⁴⁴⁴⁵¹¹. If you're weighing rental income, a short-term residential rental in county-administered areas can't be rented out for more than 30 consecutive days per client or reservation⁴⁶. Before you close, confirm zoning and any subdivision-plat status with Planning & Zoning, check floodplain mapping and septic suitability, and ask whether your driveway will need a county entrance permit or a state highway-access permit²⁹³¹³⁰³³.

Watch-outs

Washington County's zoning ordinance does not clearly define a tiny home, and this guide could not confirm a countywide manufactured-home occupancy rule either; confirm both with the Division of Planning & Zoning before you buy²⁹.
A short-term residential rental in county-administered areas is capped at 30 consecutive days per client or reservation, which matters if you're counting on vacation-rental income⁴⁶.
A driveway entrance onto a county road needs a $1,500 two-year performance bond as part of the building-permit application; access onto a state highway instead needs a separate Maryland State Highway Administration permit³⁴³⁵.

Sources

Written September 29, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

How Washington County scores

Seclusion34100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency74100% ev.

Admin Boringness42100% ev.

Durability82100% ev.

Property Autonomy43100% ev.

Carry Cost60100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$335kTypical home

0.9%Property tax

$8,668Land / acre

40.9"Annual rain

2.3% of yrsSevere drought

5 / yr (+4.8)Mid-century 100°F days

12.6 daysMid-century dry spell

1.84" (+9.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.52×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,196Home insurance / yr

2.6% / yrInsurance growth

0.61%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

34,396People within 30 min

10,523,593People within 2 hr

200,164Radius comparison (15 mi)

340.4People / sq mi

4.4%Federal land

77.9%Land at 15% slope or less

40.1%Septic soil without severe limits

114,216 acWorkable land screen

51.1%Wooded land

60.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac

53.7°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Washington County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Washington County rules

Building permitRequired
Construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, or occupancy changes involving buildings or structures, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems in Washington County.
- A building permit must be obtained and posted before construction starts.
- For property outside the corporate limits of Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hagerstown, Hancock, Keedysville, Sharpsburg, or Williamsport, applications are made to the Washington County Division of Plan Review & Permitting.
- Within listed incorporated towns, local application and zoning procedures may apply; the county booklet states that the Division reviews and approves building-code compliance.
- Applications require applicable plans, fees, and agency approvals; the booklet states that applications may be rejected without required plot plans or complete construction drawings.
“A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the current adopted International Residential Code (IRC).”
Homeowner’s Procedures for Filing a Building Permit Application for Washington County, Maryland ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionConditional
An owner acting as the general contractor for construction of a dwelling in Washington County.
- The owner must own the property.
- The owner must reside in the dwelling.
- The owner must serve as the general contractor during construction.
- The homeowner affirmation is a permit-application requirement or pathway; it does not eliminate the building-permit requirement.
- If a contractor constructs or installs the dwelling, the booklet requires a Maryland Home Builder’s License.
“Homeowner’s Affirmation – if owner is acting as general contractor. Must own the property, will reside in the dwelling and be the general contractor during construction.”
Homeowner’s Procedures for Filing a Building Permit Application for Washington County, Maryland ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
InspectionsRequired
Residential new buildings, additions, and alterations administered through Washington County’s Division of Permits and Inspections.
- A minimum of four inspections is required for all new buildings, additions, and alterations to existing buildings.
- At least 24 hours’ notice must be given before each inspection.
- Required inspection phases include footing/setbacks, foundation or basement wall, slabs where applicable, rough mechanical and framing, rough plumbing and electrical before concealment, insulation, and final building and mechanical inspections.
- Final electrical, plumbing, and applicable Health Department inspections must be approved before final building and mechanical inspections.
- The document states that commercial-structure requirements may vary.
- Premature, incomplete, inaccessible, or extra inspection trips may incur fees of $50 for the first extra trip, $75 for the second, and $100 for the third.
minimum inspections: >= 4 inspections (The source states commercial-structure requirements may vary.) · inspection notice: >= 24 hours · first extra-trip inspection fee: 50 USD · second extra-trip inspection fee: 75 USD · third extra-trip inspection fee: 100 USD
“All new buildings, additions, and alterations to existing buildings require a minimum of four inspections, and a minimum of 24 hours’ notice must be given to this office prior to each inspection.”
Inspection Requirements for Residential Structures ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Certificate of occupancyRequired
Occupancy of buildings subject to Washington County building-code administration.
- Final inspection and the Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained before occupying the building.
- The certificate is issued by the end of the second business day after final building inspection approval only if all required documents have been submitted, received, and approved.
- A $75 expedited certificate fee may apply in extenuating circumstances after final building inspection approval; the request must be in writing by email with a reason for hardship and the fee must be paid before release.
- For properties without public water and sewer, the Health Department must report satisfactory bacteriological and chemical well-water testing and proper septic installation; this report requirement does not apply where public facilities serve the property.
- A temporary certificate may be requested for residential projects beginning June 1, 2022, where extenuating circumstances exist; all required inspections must still have been received.
standard certificate issuance time: 2 business days (After final building inspection approval and receipt and approval of all required documents.) · expedited certificate fee: 75 USD (Available in extenuating circumstances after final building inspection approval.)
“Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained before occupying the building.”
Inspection Requirements for Residential Structures ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)
Washington County zoning regulation outside incorporated municipalities.
- The ordinance applies outside the jurisdiction of incorporated municipalities.
- Uses, buildings, properties, and land are subject to the county zoning ordinance and applicable zoning districts, permits, and conditions.
“This Ordinance shall take effect on the 2nd day of April, 1973, and shall apply to all lands, buildings, properties, and their uses, including any submerged lands, watered areas or islands, within the territorial limits of Washington County, Maryland, outside the jurisdiction of incorporated municipalities.”
Zoning Ordinance for Washington County, Maryland ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Local zoningVaries (with conditions)
Aggregate local-zoning status across Washington County, including county-regulated unincorporated areas and incorporated municipalities.
- The Washington County zoning ordinance applies outside incorporated municipalities.
- Incorporated municipalities are outside the county ordinance's stated jurisdiction and may have separate municipal zoning rules.
- The county zoning ordinance is administered by the Washington County Planning Commission and Zoning Administrator; zoning permits and ordinance conditions apply where the county ordinance governs.
“If any city, town or village in Washington County, Maryland participates or is participating in the County Area-Wide Planning Program, then the County Commissioners are hereby authorized to conclude arrangements with said municipality for preparation and implementation of zoning within the geographical confines of said city, town or village; and for the enforcement and administration of said Zoning Ordinance by and through the County agencies wheresoever appropriate.”
Zoning Ordinance for Washington County, Maryland ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)
Lots in the Washington County RB Rural Business floating zone
- The RB District may be located on parcels in Agricultural, Environmental Conservation, Preservation, or Rural Village zoning districts.
- The proposed RB District must satisfy the criteria in Section 5E.4, including location outside designated growth areas, adequate road access, and adequate treatment of sewage, water supply, stormwater management, and floodplain issues.
- The consolidated zoning ordinance source is identified by the County repository as current through April 23, 2018, with later amendments listed separately; later amendments should be checked for applicability.
minimum lot size: 40000 square feet
“Section 5E.5 Bulk Regulations: (a) Lot Size: Minimum 40,000 Sq. Ft.”
Zoning Ordinance for Washington County, Maryland ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)
Building setbacks for lots in the Washington County RB Rural Business floating zone
- Front setback is measured from the applicable public-road right of way.
- Side and rear setbacks depend on whether the adjoining property is zoned for or occupied by residential or non-residential land use.
- The consolidated zoning ordinance source is identified by the County repository as current through April 23, 2018, with later amendments listed separately; later amendments should be checked for applicability.
front setback from minor collector or local public road right of way: 40 feet · front setback from major collector or arterial public road right of way: 50 feet · side and rear setback from residentially zoned or occupied property: 50 feet · side and rear setback from non-residentially zoned or occupied property: 25 feet
“(b) Front Yard Building Setback: 40 Feet from a Minor Collector or Local Public Road Right of Way 50 feet from a Major Collector or Arterial Public Road Right of Way (c) Side and Rear Yard Building Setbacks: 50 Feet from a property zoned for or occupied by a Residential Land Use; 25 Feet from a property zoned for or occupied by a Non-Residential Land Use.”
Zoning Ordinance for Washington County, Maryland ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Living in an RVLimited
Recreational travel trailers and recreational travel vehicles on property subject to the Washington County Zoning Ordinance.
- They may be parked or stored as an accessory use in any district only in a garage, accessory building, rear yard, side yard, or driveway of the lot occupied by the owner.
- Outdoor parking or storage must be at least four feet from rear and side lot lines and at least ten feet from the front lot line or the road edge, street, curb, or sidewalk, whichever is closest.
- No recreational travel vehicle may be used for living purposes except in bona fide recreational camping areas.
- Mobile homes as defined in Article 28A are excluded from the recreational-travel-vehicle provision.
“No recreational travel vehicle shall be used for living purposes except in bona fide recreational camping areas. Mobile homes as defined in Article 28A are specifically excluded from the provision of this section.”
Washington County, Maryland Zoning Ordinance ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)
Accessory dwelling units on lots in Washington County zoning districts AR, EC, P, RV, RT, RS, RU, RM, RB, BL, BG, and HI.
- An ADU is a second subordinate dwelling unit on the same lot, tract, or parcel as the principal dwelling and must provide complete independent living facilities.
- ADUs may be attached or detached and have no minimum area requirement.
- The ADU is limited to 75% of the gross floor area of the primary residence or 1,200 square feet, whichever is less; the limit does not apply to finished basements or converted attic space.
- An ADU may not be subdivided off or sold separately from the primary dwelling.
- Lots containing semi-detached dwellings, townhouses, or multifamily dwellings may not have an ADU.
- A lot with an existing two-family dwelling may have one detached ADU but may not create a three-dwelling structure with another attached ADU.
- Commercial districts BL, BG, and HI may have one ADU per lot.
- ADUs must comply with underlying zoning setback, height, and building-lot-coverage standards and require one parking space.
- ADUs may not be used as short-term residential rentals, and travel trailers may not be used as ADUs.
- ADUs are exempt from excise tax fees, but all other permit fees apply; address, zoning, ADU, and other applicable reviews, including well or septic review, are required.
- A mobile home may be used as an ADU only when placed on a permanent foundation complying with the building code; mobile-home permit requirements apply.
- Sprinklers are required for attached and detached ADUs, subject to the policy's basement, attic, and mobile-home exceptions.
maximum ADU size: <= 1200 square feet (or 75% of the primary residence gross floor area, whichever is less; finished basements and converted attics are excepted) · required parking: 1 space
“ADU’s are permitted in the following zoning districts: AR, EC, P, RV, RT, RS, RU, RM, RB, BL, BG and HI.”
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Policy ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Who permits septicCounty
On-site sewage disposal and individual-well permitting programs in Washington County, including delegated environmental-health functions.
- The Washington County Health Department administers and enforces programs originating from MDH and MDE through delegated authority.
- MDE provides technical assistance and direction to county health departments and local approving authorities.
“We administer and enforce programs originating from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) through delegated authority.”
Environmental Health - Washington County Health Department ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Well and septic permitting for residential development in Washington County where an onsite sewage disposal system is proposed.
- Applicants must contact the Washington County Health Department to apply and pay fees.
- The checklist states that applications for a building permit can be taken concurrently with a well/septic permit.
- The listed fees are $150 for a sewage disposal system only, $160 for a well only, and $310 for well and septic.
- The residential permit checklist is revised 11/14/2018; no newer effective date was stated in the source.
sewage disposal system permit fee: 150 USD · well permit fee: 160 USD · combined well and septic permit fee: 310 USD
“Applicants need to contact the Washington Co Health Dept. to apply for their well and/or septic permit and pay fees.”
Residential Permit Checklist ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Use of onsite sewage disposal systems for dwellings in Washington County that are not served by public sewerage systems.
- The Washington County Health Department states septic systems are used where public collection and disposal systems are not available.
- A soil percolation test is used to evaluate site suitability.
- The source does not establish that every type of off-grid sanitation technology is allowed.
“Septic systems are used for the disposal of sewage where public collection and disposal systems are not available. A proper functioning septic system depends on many factors and may be most impacted by site suitability and use (load) of the system. Percolation tests are conducted to evaluate soils for suitability of a potential on-site septic system.”
Environmental Health - Washington County Health Department ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Well permitRequired
Individual well permitting associated with residential development in Washington County.
- Applicants must contact the Washington County Health Department to apply and pay fees.
- The checklist states that applications for a building permit can be taken concurrently with a well/septic permit.
- The listed well-only fee is $160 and the combined well-and-septic fee is $310.
- The residential permit checklist is revised 11/14/2018; no newer effective date was stated in the source.
well permit fee: 160 USD · combined well and septic permit fee: 310 USD
“Applicants need to contact the Washington Co Health Dept. to apply for their well and/or septic permit and pay fees.”
Residential Permit Checklist ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Agricultural exemptionConditional
Agricultural structures associated with an agricultural operation in Washington County, Maryland
- The structure must be associated with an agricultural operation.
- The structure must not be associated with human occupancy or have access by the general public.
- A building permit is not required, but district setbacks must be met.
- An agricultural structure certificate is required upon submission and review of a scaled drawing.
- Structures associated with animal husbandry facilities must comply with Article 22, Division IX of the zoning ordinance.
“A structure associated with an agricultural operation, which is not associated with human occupancy or have access by the general public. Agricultural structures may be constructed without need to obtain a building permit; however, setbacks shall be met in accordance with the district that it is located, and an agricultural structure certificate is required. Structures associated with animal husbandry facilities shall be in accordance with Article 22 Division IX of this Ordinance.”
Zoning Ordinance for Washington County, Maryland ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision of land outside incorporated municipalities in Washington County, Maryland
- The ordinance does not apply to land within municipal corporations.
- A subdivision plat must be approved by the Washington County Planning Commission and properly filed and recorded before subdivision, sale of a lot, or erection of a building in a subdivision.
- The ordinance states that more restrictive applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, deed restrictions, or covenants govern.
- The ordinance provides a variance mechanism for extraordinary hardship or topographic or irregular-shape conditions.
- The ordinance was enacted January 13, 1981 and states an effective date of March 1, 1981.
“The provisions of these regulations shall apply to all lands within Washington County, Maryland except land within municipal corporations. No land within Washington County, outside incorporated jurisdictions shall be subdivided, nor shall any lot be sold or building erected in a subdivision as herein defined, until a plat of the subdivision is approved by the Commission and the plat properly filed and recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Washington County, Maryland.”
Subdivision Ordinance, Washington County, Maryland ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
Residential driveway access onto a Washington County road or street.
- Applications are taken at the time of the building permit application.
- A $1,500 two-year performance bond is required for a standard residential entrance permit; cash in lieu is acceptable.
- A base coat must be in place before Use & Occupancy issuance, when the bond or substitute check is released.
- For access onto a State highway route, the applicant must contact the Maryland State Highway Administration.
- Driveway and property lines must be staked before approval.
- The driveway must be paved at least 25 feet from the roadway centerline.
- The entrance must be completed within two years, or before Use & Occupancy issuance for a new building, whichever occurs first.
entrance permit fee: 25 USD (standard residential entrance permit) · performance bond: 1500 USD (two-year bond; cash in lieu acceptable) · minimum paving distance: >= 25 feet from roadway centerline · completion deadline: 2 years (or before Use & Occupancy issuance for a new building, whichever occurs first)
“A two-year performance bond for a standard residential entrance permit is required in the amount of $1,500.00.”
Residential Permit Application Checklist ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Short-term rentalsLimited
Short-term residential rentals regulated by the Washington County Zoning Ordinance in county-administered areas.
- A short-term residential rental is a non-owner-occupied residential structure providing temporary lodging to transient guests for compensation.
- Rental of individual rooms or the entire structure may not exceed 30 consecutive days per client or reservation.
- No site plan is required.
- Off-street parking must comply with Article 22, Division 1 of the Zoning Ordinance.
- Signage requiring a zoning permit is prohibited.
- The county news release states residential districts use special-exception approval and rural areas use principally permitted treatment; district-specific confirmation should be checked against the current ordinance because the linked zoning ordinance repository identifies an older base ordinance with later amendments.
maximum rental period per client/reservation: <= 30 consecutive days
“Such uses shall not exceed rental of individual rooms or the entire structure for more than 30 consecutive days per client/reservation.”
Board of County Commissioners Approve Update to Ordinance for Short-Term Residential Rentals ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
County building excise tax rates and permit-related fees administered by Washington County Division of Permits and Inspections.
- Rates are effective July 1, 2026 as stated on the county page.
- Other permit fees may vary by permit type and applicable fee schedule.
new residential construction building excise tax: 1.75 USD/square foot · residential additions and alterations building excise tax: 0.88 USD/square foot · non-residential, non-retail construction building excise tax: 1.5 USD/square foot · non-residential retail construction building excise tax, first 15,000 square feet: 1.5 USD/square foot
“Effective July 1, 2026, the following Building Excise Tax rates will apply:”
Permits and Inspections - Washington County ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Residential building permits and land-development plan submissions administered by Washington County.
- Building permits are required for construction, alteration, repair, addition, and removal of structures, including decks and sheds over 400 square feet.
- Residential applications must include the checklist items applicable to the project; omitted items may delay review.
- Land-development plans must be submitted through the Accela Citizen Access portal, with the Department of Planning & Zoning as the submission point.
- Additional fees may be assessed later and must be paid before originals are signed.
shed/deck threshold: > 400 square feet · permit processing hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. · permit processing hours Wednesday: 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (Due to Permit Tech Training)
“Building permits are required for the construction, alteration, repair, addition and removal of structures, including decks and sheds over 400 sq ft.”
Residential Permit Application Checklist ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026

Maryland rules that apply here

Zoning districtsPartial
Statewide generalized zoning information published by the Maryland Department of Planning for planning and regional analysis; it is not a substitute for the applicable county or municipal zoning ordinance.
- Each local jurisdiction is responsible for its own zoning, except certain municipalities that do not exercise planning and zoning authority.
- Maryland has hundreds of unique local zoning categories.
- MDP groups generalized zoning into Rural, Residential, and Other, further divided into 11 generalized zoning categories.
- The generalized categories do not establish the complete regulatory zoning districts or permitted uses for a specific parcel.
“To aid regional and state-level planning purposes, MDP classified zoning districts under three main groups—Rural, Residential, and Other—which are further broken down into 11 distinct Generalized Zoning Categories.”
Geospatial Applications and Modeling (GAM) ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Any onsite sewage disposal system before it is covered or used statewide in Maryland.
- Inspection and approval must be by the Approving Authority or a third party approved by the Approving Authority.
- The Approving Authority may require installation, inspection, and approval before issuance of a building permit when hydrologic or geologic problems exist or construction could adversely impact the system.
- Property-transfer inspections have separate licensing requirements under COMAR 26.04.12.
“No part of an on-site sewage disposal system may be covered or used until it has been inspected and approved by the Approving Authority or a third party approved by the Approving Authority.”
COMAR 26.04.02.02 General Provisions ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Development in FEMA-mapped 100-year floodplains in Maryland, including grading, filling, clearing, dredging, extraction, storage, subdivision, and construction or improvement of structures and buildings.
- Local jurisdictions must issue permits for all development in the 100-year floodplain depicted on FEMA maps.
- All necessary permits must be obtained and may include federal, State, and local permits.
- For construction in wetlands and floodplains, a State permit from the MDE Wetlands and Waterways Program is required.
- Local permit requirements must be confirmed with the local permit office.
- All Maryland counties, cities, and most towns participate in the NFIP.
“The NFIP requires local jurisdictions to issue permits for all development in the 100-year floodplain, as depicted on maps issued by FEMA.”
Floodplain Permitting in Maryland ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
county zoning authorityGeneral
Maryland counties adopting and enforcing zoning and planning laws, including for unincorporated county territory within the county's jurisdiction.
- The authority is exercised through local laws and remains subject to other public general law, public local law, and any applicable State-government regulatory authority.
- The statute states that the State policy is that planning and zoning controls are implemented by local government.
“A county may enact local laws relating to zoning and planning to protect and promote public safety, health, morals, and welfare, including: [...] It is the policy of the State that planning and zoning controls shall be implemented by local government.”
Maryland Code, Local Government Article ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
county building authorityLimited
Maryland counties requiring building permits and adopting or enforcing building codes for residential construction in unincorporated areas.
- Local Government Article § 13-901 applies to all counties except Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Cecil County, Charles County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, and Worcester County.
- Under § 13-901(c), covered county governing bodies may regulate building construction, adopt and enforce building codes, require building permits, impose permit and inspection fees, and inspect buildings and structures.
- Section 13-902 applies only to Calvert, Caroline, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Kent, and Worcester Counties.
- Under § 13-902(c), a building or housing code generally does not apply to a building on a farm or premises devoted solely to agricultural uses, except that it applies in Calvert County to dwellings on which construction began after July 1, 1979 and in Frederick County to residential buildings or buildings constructed for human habitation regardless of location or auxiliary use.
- Kent County must adopt a building code and housing code; Calvert, Caroline, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, and Worcester Counties may adopt them.
- A building code adopted under § 13-902 must require a building permit before a building is built or improved and include standards for structural safety, fire prevention, lighting, ventilation, and proper access.
- Later amendments to codes incorporated by reference are not effective in Caroline, Frederick, Harford, Kent, and Worcester Counties until incorporated into the county code.
- Separate county-specific provisions apply to Cecil, Charles, Queen Anne’s, and St. Mary’s Counties, including the Charles County exemption for farm buildings and other outbuildings costing less than $2,500.
- The Maryland Building Performance Standards apply statewide to each building or structure for which a building permit application is received by a local jurisdiction on or after August 1, 1995.
building permit before building is built or improved: true (Required in a building code adopted under Local Government Article § 13-902.) · Charles County farm-building or outbuilding cost exemption: < 2500 USD (The Charles County building code does not apply to farm buildings or other outbuildings costing less than $2,500.) · Maryland Building Performance Standards application date: >= 1995-08-01 (Applies to building permit applications received on or after this date.)
“This section applies to all counties except: [...] The governing body of a county may: (1) regulate the construction of buildings and signs; (2) adopt a building code; (3) provide for enforcement of the code; (4) require permits for the construction of buildings and signs; (5) impose permit and inspection fees; (6) provide for inspection of buildings and structures;”
Maryland Code, Local Government Article, §§ 13-901 through 13-906 ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Washington County, Maryland
Tiny homes — Occupancy of a tiny home on private land in areas subject to Washington County land-use regulation.
Manufactured homes — Occupancy of a manufactured home on private land in areas subject to Washington County land-use regulation.
Mandatory utility hookup — Public water and public sewer connection requirements for property development in Washington County.

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.

Living off-grid in Washington County, Maryland

Is Washington County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Washington County scores 61/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and workable self-sufficiency basics: 40.9″/yr rainfall and 51.1% wooded land. Watch-outs: about 34,396 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Washington County, Maryland?

Washington County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Washington County Health Department, Environmental Health. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Washington County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Washington County is limited to specific cases: Recreational travel trailers and recreational travel vehicles on property subject to the Washington County Zoning Ordinance. They may be parked or stored as an accessory use in any district only in a garage, accessory building, rear yard, side yard, or driveway of the lot occupied by the owner. Outdoor parking or storage must be at least four feet from rear and side lot lines and at least ten feet from the front lot line or the road edge, street, curb, or sidewalk, whichever is closest. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Washington County, Maryland?

Land in Washington County runs about $8,668 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Washington County?

Washington County gets about 40.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.3% of years.

How remote is Washington County?

A representative private-land location has about 34,396 people within a 30-minute drive and 10,523,593 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Washington County, Maryland

At a glance

Who to call

Do you need a building permit in Washington County, Maryland?

Who issues building permits in Washington County, and how do you reach them?

Does Washington County have zoning?

How do septic and well permits work in Washington County?

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Washington County?

Building a home in Washington County: the steps, in order

What to check before you buy land in Washington County

Watch-outs

Sources

Washington County in Maryland

How Washington County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Washington County

Washington County rules

Maryland rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Washington County, Maryland

Is Washington County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Do you need a building permit in Washington County, Maryland?

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Washington County?

How much does land cost in Washington County, Maryland?

What is the water situation in Washington County?

How remote is Washington County?

How Washington compares in Maryland