BuildingPermitCost How Frederick County calculates your permit fee
The county charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on floor area, plus a $33.00 application fee, with a $63.00 minimum. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
New single-family detached dwelling (per dwelling unit)
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 4,000 sq ft | $1,023.00 |
| 4,000 sq ft – 6,499 sq ft | $1,224.00 |
| Over 6,499 sq ft | $1,634.00 |
Plus an application fee of $33.00.
Residential additions
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 500 sq ft | $276.00 |
| 500 sq ft – 1,500 sq ft | $413.00 |
| Over 1,500 sq ft | $552.00 |
Plus an application fee of $33.00.
Residential alteration or conversion
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 500 sq ft | $137.00 |
| 500 sq ft – 1,500 sq ft | $276.00 |
| Over 1,500 sq ft | $413.00 |
Plus an application fee of $33.00.
Non-residential new building, additional floor area, tenant fit-out, interior alteration
$0.28 per square foot, plus a $33.00 application fee, with a $63.00 minimum.
Added to every matching permit
- Zoning review fee (new dwelling unit): a flat $88.00 (Residential · new construction)
Surcharges
- Automation enhancement fee: $11.00
What counts as project value
Floor area (square feet). Residential building permit fees are fixed amounts by dwelling type and gross floor area band; non-residential fees are $0.28 per sq ft. Gross floor area includes all finished and unfinished space measured by exterior dimensions, excluding attics, stoops and crawl spaces; any increment of a foot is dropped.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: table value for 2,400 sq ft: $1,023.00 = $1,023.00
- Application fee: fixed = $33.00
- Zoning review fee (new dwelling unit): flat fee = $88.00
- Automation enhancement fee: fixed = $11.00
- Total before trade permits: $1,155.00.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Zoning review fee (other residential uses): when the addition or alteration counts as an 'other residential use' for zoning review; $57.00 on the standard projects.
- Driveway permit fee: when a new driveway apron is built on a County-maintained road (also charged with a new one- or two-family dwelling permit); $100.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Zoning review fee, non-residential principal useWhen: non-residential principal use | $208.00 each |
| Zoning review fee, other non-residential usesWhen: other non-residential uses | $57.00 each |
| Re-inspection (after first inspection and one re-inspection)When: additional re-inspection | $63.00 each |
| Work without a permit, initial inspectionWhen: work started without a permit | $302.00 each |
| Revisions to a permit or applicationWhen: revision | $33.00 each |
| Site plan compliance inspection feeWhen: non-residential permit requiring site plan approval | $276.00 each |
| Impact fees, excise tax, municipal and other agency feesWhen: as applicable | varies |
| Credit/debit card service feeWhen: card payment | 2.5% per transaction (per Permitting Fees page) |
Trade permits are separate. Plumbing: Separate plumbing permit schedule (Section II); not extracted. Electrical: Separate electrical permit schedule (Section III); not extracted. Mechanical: No separate mechanical schedule in the county fee schedule.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
- Submit to Frederick County Division of Planning & Permitting, Permit Review Center online through the permit portal.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.