Frederick (City), MD Building Permit Fees (2026)
Residential building permit fees from the City of Frederick's FY 2027 fee schedule, published by the City and linked from its Residential Applications page. Frederick is an incorporated city that runs its own Building/Permits office in the Department of Public Works, so the City's schedule, not Frederick County's, sets permit fees inside city limits. Most small projects pay one flat fee, additions and interior renovations are priced per square foot with a $200 minimum, and new homes pay by dwelling size. Every figure below comes from the schedule; any estimate is labeled as one.
This page covers: City of Frederick residential permit fees from the FY 2027 fee schedule: new single-family, townhouse, and duplex dwellings, additions, interior renovations and finished basements, decks and porches, fences, garages, sheds, pools, demolition, residential electrical, plumbing, and gas permits, reinspection fees, and the residential lines of the Fire Code Permit Fees section.
This page does NOT cover: water and sewer impact fees, water and sewer allocation processing, mobility fees, and other Engineering charges (a separate FY 2027 Engineering schedule), City development impact fees collected before the certificate of occupancy, Historic Preservation Commission and zoning applications, and any Frederick County charge. Properties outside city limits are permitted by Frederick County; see Frederick County permit fees.
Effective-date note: The schedule is headed "FY 2027" but prints no effective date, adoption date, or resolution number. This page treats it as the current schedule because the City links it as its "New Fee Schedule" and the City's FY 2027 budget is marked adopted. Confirm with Building/Permits before filing.
The City of Frederick, MD charges flat residential permit fees for most small projects: a deck or porch permit is $128, a fence or shed permit is $64, and a pool permit is $128. Additions cost $0.20 per square foot and interior renovations, including finished basements, $0.13 per square foot, each with a $200 minimum, so a 1,200 sq ft addition is $240.00 if the City charges the rate on the new floor area (the schedule does not define the area measured). A new single-family home pays a building permit fee of $500 (2,500 sq ft or less) to $1,200 (over 6,000 sq ft); a 3,000 sq ft home comes to $1,700 with its electrical and combined plumbing and gas permits. Maryland adds no statewide permit levy.
- Flat building permit fees: deck or porch $128, garage or carport $128, pool $128, fence $64, shed or gazebo $64, paving $64, demolition $64.
- Additions are $0.20 per square foot and interior renovations (including finished basements) $0.13 per square foot, each with a $200 minimum. If the rate is charged on the new or renovated floor area (the schedule does not say), an addition passes the minimum above 1,000 sq ft and a renovation above about 1,539 sq ft.
- New single-family, townhouse, or duplex dwellings pay by size: $500 up to 2,500 sq ft, $800 for 2,501-4,000, $950 for 4,001-6,000, and $1,200 above 6,000 sq ft.
- Trade permits are separate: residential electrical for alterations and additions is $150 (first 40 outlets); plumbing and gas for additions and alterations are $100 each for 1-4 fixtures or appliances.
- Reinspections cost $75, then $200, then $500 for the third and later; work started without a permit pays a double permit fee.
- New homes also owe water and sewer impact fees ($7,547.64 and $6,624.76 per EDU on the FY 2027 Engineering schedule), which are far larger than the permit fees and are not in the totals on this page.
City of Frederick Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule
The FY 2027 schedule lists one building permit fee per residential permit type. The City of Frederick is not in the PermitPrice fee calculator yet; use the worked examples on this page instead.
| Residential Permit Line | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New single-family, townhouse, or duplex - up to 2,500 sq ft | $500.00 | Per dwelling; "Less Than or Equal to 2500 S.F." |
| New dwelling - 2,501 to 4,000 sq ft | $800.00 | Per dwelling |
| New dwelling - 4,001 to 6,000 sq ft | $950.00 | Per dwelling |
| New dwelling - over 6,000 sq ft | $1,200.00 | Per dwelling; new apartment or condo unit $400 each |
| Addition | $0.20 / sq ft | $200 minimum |
| Interior renovation (including finished basements) | $0.13 / sq ft | $200 minimum |
| Deck or porch | $128.00 | Flat |
| Garage or carport | $128.00 | Flat |
| Pool | $128.00 | Flat; pool electrical is a separate electrical permit |
| Fence | $64.00 | Flat |
| Shed or gazebo | $64.00 | Flat |
| Paving or miscellaneous | $64.00 | The City files retaining walls, solar panels, and re-roofing that involves sheathing or framing as miscellaneous renovations |
| Emergency repair | $128.00 | Flat |
| Demolition - dwelling, accessory structure, or interior/exterior | $64.00 | Flat |
| Zoning certificate - residential | $64.00 | Listed in the residential building permit table |
Source: City of Frederick FY 2027 fee schedule, Building Permit Fees (Residential), published on the City's OpenGov page and linked from the City's Residential Applications page. No effective date is printed. Verified November 2, 2026.
Fee components and add-ons
| Component | Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Reinspection | $75 / $200 / $500 | First, second, and third or later reinspection; sewer lateral TV reinspection $250 |
| Retroactive permit | Double permit fee | Work started before the permit was issued |
| Revision to permit | $64 + fee for revised area | Complete drawing resubmission: 50% of the permit fee plus the revision fee |
| Permit extension / transfer | $50 / $40 | Per permit |
| Temporary certificate of occupancy | $50 | Extension $25 |
| Fire code permit - "Residential" group | $0.16 / sq ft, $80 minimum | Listed under Fire Code Permit Fees (Residential & Commercial); the schedule does not say whether single-family homes pay it, so it is not in the totals below |
| Fire code - basement finish-outs for building permits | $80 flat | Same section; applicability to a single-family basement finish is not stated, so Example 2 shows it as a possible add-on |
| State permit levy | None | Maryland has no statewide percentage building-permit levy |
Residential trade permits (separate permits)
| Trade Line | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical - new dwelling | $350 / $400 / $450 / $550 | Up to 2,500 sq ft / 2,501-4,000 / 4,001-6,000 / over 6,000 |
| Electrical - minor alterations and additions | $150.00 | First 40 outlets; $200 over 40 outlets |
| Electrical - service, heavy-up, or subpanel | $75.00 | Not over 400 amps, includes 6 outlets |
| Electrical - pool, hot tub, or spa | $150 / $200 | Above ground / in-ground; includes bonding, motor, and lights |
| Electrical - solar panels | $150.00 | Maximum 2 inspections; minor electrical permit (one inspection) $75 |
| Plumbing and gas - new dwelling (combined) | $450 / $500 / $550 / $650 | Same four size tiers as the building permit |
| Plumbing - addition, alteration, accessory | $100 / $150 / $200 | 1-4 / 5-9 / 10 or more fixtures |
| Gas - addition, alteration, accessory | $100 / $150 / $200 | 1-4 / 5-9 / 10 or more gas appliances |
Source: FY 2027 fee schedule, Electrical, Plumbing, and Gas Permit Fees sections. Trade permits are not included in the building permit totals below unless an example says so.
How the City of Frederick Calculates Building Permit Fees
| Step | What Happens | City of Frederick Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Find the permit type | Each residential permit type has one line in the schedule. | New dwelling, addition, interior renovation, deck or porch, garage, pool, fence, shed, paving, demolition. |
| 2. Apply the flat fee or rate | Most lines are flat; two are per square foot. | Addition $0.20 per sq ft, interior renovation $0.13 per sq ft, each with a $200 minimum. New dwellings use four size tiers. |
| 3. Check the minimum | Per-square-foot fees below $200 are raised to $200. | Measured on the addition or renovated floor area (assumed; not defined in the schedule), additions of 1,000 sq ft or less and renovations under about 1,539 sq ft pay $200. |
| 4. Add trade permits separately | Electrical, plumbing, and gas are their own permits. | No application fee, automation fee, or Maryland statewide levy is added on the residential building lines. |
Worked Examples
Example 1: 1,200 sq ft addition
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | 1,200 × $0.20 = $240, above the $200 minimum | $240.00 |
| Building Permit Total | $240 | $240.00 |
| Electrical permit (40 outlets or fewer) | Minor alterations and additions | $150.00 |
| Plumbing permit (1-4 fixtures) | Addition, alteration, accessory | $100.00 |
| With electrical and plumbing | $240 + $150 + $100 | $490.00 |
The $0.20 rate and $200 minimum are exact. This example assumes the City charges the rate on the 1,200 sq ft of new floor area; the schedule does not define the square footage measured. An addition of 1,000 sq ft or less pays the $200 minimum. Gas appliances would add a gas permit ($100 for 1-4 appliances).
Example 2: 800 sq ft basement finish
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | 800 × $0.13 = $104, below the $200 minimum | $200.00 |
| Building Permit Total | $200 minimum | $200.00 |
| With an electrical permit (40 outlets or fewer) | $200 + $150 | $350.00 |
| If the $80 fire code basement finish-out fee applies | $350 + $80 | $430.00 |
Finished basements are filed as interior renovations. This example assumes the $0.13 rate is charged on the 800 sq ft being finished (the schedule does not define the area measured); on that basis the $200 minimum applies to any renovation under about 1,539 sq ft. The electrical line assumes 40 outlets or fewer; with more than 40 outlets it is $200, making the totals $400.00, or $480.00 with the $80 fee. The Fire Code Permit Fees section lists "Basement Finish-Outs for Building permits" at $80 flat but does not say whether it applies to a single-family home, so the last line is conditional. A bathroom would add a plumbing permit ($100 for 1-4 fixtures).
Example 3: Deck, fence, shed, and in-ground pool permits
| Project | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Deck or porch | Flat | $128.00 |
| Fence | Flat | $64.00 |
| Shed or gazebo | Flat | $64.00 |
| In-ground pool (building + pool electrical) | $128 + $200 | $328.00 |
All four amounts are exact flat fees. An above-ground pool, hot tub, or spa uses the $150 pool electrical line instead, for $278.00 with the $128 pool permit. A deck with wiring would add an electrical permit.
Example 4: New single-family home, 3,000 sq ft
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | 2,501-4,000 sq ft tier | $800.00 |
| Electrical permit | 2,501-4,000 sq ft tier | $400.00 |
| Plumbing and gas permit (combined) | 2,501-4,000 sq ft tier | $500.00 |
| Permit Total | $800 + $400 + $500 | $1,700.00 |
| Water and sewer impact fees (1 EDU, separate schedule) | $7,547.64 + $6,624.76 | $14,172.40 |
The three permit lines are exact tier amounts. The impact fees are from the City's separate FY 2027 Engineering fee schedule and are shown for scale only, assuming the home is one EDU; they are not part of the permit total. That schedule also lists $100 per building permit for residential water and sewer allocation processing and a $319.47 per-unit residential mobility fee in the Mobility Fee District. City development impact fees are assessed before the certificate of occupancy and are not priced here. If the Fire Code "Residential" line ($0.16 per sq ft) applied to a house, it would add $480.00; the schedule does not say that it does.
Practitioner Insight
Confirm first that the property is inside City of Frederick limits. Many homes with a Frederick mailing address are in unincorporated Frederick County, which issues their permits under a different schedule that adds a filing fee and an automation fee to every building permit (see Frederick County permit fees). The City's residential lines carry no such add-ons. Like Gaithersburg and Annapolis, Frederick is a Maryland city that runs its own permit office.
For small projects, the City's flat fees are low: a deck is $128 and a fence $64. The square-foot lines matter for bigger jobs, but if the rate is charged on the new floor area, the $200 minimum covers any addition of 1,000 sq ft or less; ask how the area is measured. On a new house, the permit fees are small next to the water and sewer impact fees, so budget for those separately. Small residential jobs such as decks, fences, sheds, and re-roofing can be filed in person at the One-Stop Shop on Tuesdays from 8 to 11 a.m. at 140 W Patrick Street; otherwise apply online through the City's OpenGov portal. Call Building/Permits at 301-600-3808.
Permit Requirements - Common Residential Projects in the City of Frederick
| Project Type | Permit Application Listed? | Fee Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition | Yes | $0.20/sq ft | $200 minimum; 1,200 sq ft of new area: $240.00 if measured on the new area (basis not defined) |
| Interior renovation or finished basement | Yes | $0.13/sq ft | $200 minimum; 800 sq ft finished: $200.00 if measured on the finished area (basis not defined) |
| Deck or porch | Yes | $128 flat | Electrical permit separate if wired |
| Fence | Yes | $64 flat | Eligible for the Tuesday One-Stop Shop |
| Pool, spa, or hot tub | Yes | $128 flat | Pool electrical $150 above ground or $200 in-ground |
| Shed or gazebo | Yes | $64 flat | - |
| Garage or carport | Yes | $128 flat | - |
| Re-roofing | When sheathing or framing is involved | $64 (miscellaneous) | The City lists re-roofing under miscellaneous renovations "when sheathing and/or framing is involved" |
| Solar panels | Yes | $64 + $150 electrical | Miscellaneous renovation building line plus the solar electrical line |
City of Frederick Building/Permits
Department of Public Works - Building/Permits
Municipal Office Annex, 140 W Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-3808
Annex open to the public 8 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday; One-Stop Shop Tuesdays 8 to 11 am
FY 2027 fee schedule
Published on the City's OpenGov page; no effective date printed
When This Estimate May Not Apply
Your property is outside City of Frederick limits
A Frederick mailing address does not by itself place a property inside the city. Outside city limits, Frederick County issues the permit and its own fees apply.
The schedule prints no effective date
It is headed "FY 2027" with no effective date, adoption date, or resolution number, and the City's OpenGov page is titled "Commercial Application Fee Schedule" even though it also holds the residential tables. This page treats it as current because the City links it as its "New Fee Schedule"; a permit applied for under an earlier schedule may have been charged different amounts.
Square footage and fire code fees are not defined for every project
The addition and interior renovation rates do not say which square footage is measured; the examples assume the new or renovated floor area. The Fire Code Permit Fees section lists a "Residential" group at $0.16 per sq ft ($80 minimum) and an $80 basement finish-out fee without saying whether single-family work pays them. Those amounts are shown separately and are not in the totals.
New-home charges outside these totals
Water and sewer impact fees, water and sewer allocation processing, mobility fees, City development impact fees, and any Frederick County charges are not included in the permit totals. The impact fees alone are $14,172.40 for one EDU of water and sewer.
Reinspections, revisions, and retroactive permits
Failed inspections add $75, $200, then $500 per reinspection; revisions add $64 plus the fee for any revised area; and work started without a permit pays double. None of these are in the examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
-
City of Frederick FY 2027 Fee Schedule (City OpenGov page) FY 2027; no effective date printed - Primary source for every permit fee on this page - Verified November 2, 2026.
-
City of Frederick - Residential Applications Current - Links the "New Fee Schedule" and lists residential permit types - Verified November 2, 2026.
-
City of Frederick FY 2027 Fee Schedule - Engineering (PDF) FY 2027 - Source for water and sewer impact fees, allocation processing, and mobility fees - Verified November 2, 2026.
Outside city limits? Check Frederick County's permit fees, or compare nearby Maryland jurisdictions.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your City of Frederick permit cost, two related numbers complete your total budget picture:
Property tax impact after your project closes
A permitted project may change the property's assessed value. Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation performs that assessment and certifies it to the local jurisdictions, separately from this permit fee.
Utility connection and impact charges
Water and sewer impact fees, allocation processing, and mobility fees on new construction are set on the City's Engineering schedule, separate from the building permit, and are excluded from the permit totals above.
These charges are administered separately from the building permit fee, though the responsible office and billing process vary by jurisdiction. See which tool covers each charge →