Washington County, MD Building Permit Fees (2026)
Residential building permit fees from the official Washington County Division of Permits and Inspections fee schedules adopted by Ordinance No. ORD-2024-14. Washington County, in western Maryland around Hagerstown, prices residential building permits by square footage, not by construction value: $0.10 per square foot plus a flat $65 application fee and $15 technology fee. Every figure below is verified against the ordinance; any estimate is labeled as one.
This page covers: Residential building permit fees issued by the Washington County Division of Permits and Inspections under the Building Fee Schedule attached to Ordinance No. ORD-2024-14 (adopted February 27, 2024, effective July 1, 2024): the $0.10 per square foot rate for new dwellings, accessory structures, and alterations, the $65 application fee and $15 technology fee, flat pool and demolition fees, and the related miscellaneous charges. The county's residential electrical, mechanical, and plumbing fee lines from the same ordinance are summarized for reference.
This page does NOT cover: the county Building Excise Tax (a separate tax, not a permit fee), Fire Prevention Bureau fees, water and sewer connection or capacity charges, Health Department well and septic fees, Soil Conservation District fees, and planning or site-plan review fees. Properties inside an incorporated town or city may be permitted by that municipality instead of the county - check with your town first.
Source-age note: ORD-2024-14 took effect July 1, 2024, more than 24 months ago. It is still the fee schedule the county posts, and no later building or trade fee ordinance appears on the County Attorney's ordinance list as of October 22, 2026, but confirm current amounts with the Division of Permits and Inspections before budgeting.
Washington County, MD charges $0.10 per square foot for residential building permits, plus a $65 application fee and a $15 technology fee. A new 2,400 sq ft home pays $320 for the building permit ($370 with the $50 Home Builder Guaranty Fund fee), and a 300 sq ft deck pays $110. An in-ground pool is a flat $125 plus the same $80 in fees. Trade permits and the county's $1.75 per sq ft Building Excise Tax are separate, and Maryland adds no statewide permit levy.
- Residential building permits are priced by square footage, not by construction value: $0.10 per sq ft for new dwellings, garages, sheds, decks, porches, and interior or exterior alterations.
- Most residential permits add a flat $65 application fee and a $15 technology fee, so the smallest square-footage permit still costs at least $80.
- Swimming pools are flat fees: $75 above-ground or $125 in-ground, plus the $65 application and $15 technology fees.
- Demolition, fences higher than 7 ft, retaining or masonry walls, solar panels or wind turbines, and chimneys are a flat $50 each with no application or technology fee.
- New homes also pay a $50 Home Builder Guaranty Fund fee; the separate county Building Excise Tax is $1.75 per sq ft of habitable space, and residential additions pay one-half of that rate.
- The schedule is ORD-2024-14, effective July 1, 2024, and is still the county's posted schedule as of October 22, 2026.
Washington County Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule
The ordinance states: "Building permit fees shall be based on the square footage area of proposed structure(s) and shall include an application fee and technology fee unless otherwise noted." All measurements use gross exterior building dimensions. Lines marked with an asterisk in the schedule carry the $65 application fee and $15 technology fee.
| Residential Permit Line | Fee | Application + Technology Fee |
|---|---|---|
| New dwelling units - single family / multi-family / apartments | $0.10 / sq ft | Yes ($65 + $15); finished and unfinished area |
| Garages, carports, sheds, porches, decks, chimney, other accessory structures | $0.10 / sq ft | Yes ($65 + $15) |
| Interior / exterior alterations, repairs, and remodeling | $0.10 / sq ft | Yes ($65 + $15) |
| Mobile homes (manufactured housing) | $65 + $0.10 / sq ft | No technology fee required |
| Swimming pool - above-ground | $75.00 | Yes ($65 + $15) |
| Swimming pool - in-ground | $125.00 | Yes ($65 + $15) |
| Demolition | $50.00 | No |
| Fences higher than 7 ft | $50.00 | No |
| All retaining / masonry walls | $50.00 | No |
| Solar panels / wind turbines | $50.00 | No (electrical permit separate) |
| Chimney | $50.00 | No (chimney is also named in the $0.10/sq ft accessory line) |
Source: Washington County Division of Permits and Inspections Building Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2024), attached to Ordinance No. ORD-2024-14. This is the most recent schedule the county publishes, re-verified October 22, 2026. Roof replacement is not a named line on the schedule; ask the county whether your re-roof needs a permit.
Fee components and add-ons
| Component | Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (residential) | $65.00 | Each asterisked residential building or trade permit |
| Technology fee | $15.00 | Each asterisked permit; not on mobile homes or the $50 flat lines |
| Home Builder Guaranty Fund fee | $50 / unit | New homes (Chapter 481 of the 2008 Acts of the Maryland General Assembly) |
| Payment due at submittal | $250 minimum payment | A deposit rule, not a minimum fee: permits under $250 are paid in full at submittal |
| Permit / plan revisions | $100 residential | Revisions after submittal |
| Extra inspection trips | $50 / $75 / $100 | 1st, 2nd, and 3rd extra trip (premature requests, incomplete work, no access) |
| Investigation fee | $200 | Work started without a permit |
| Permit extension / temporary occupancy / expedited CO | $25 / $75 / $75 | As requested |
| State permit levy | None | Maryland has no statewide percentage building-permit levy |
Residential trade permits (separate permits, same ordinance)
| Trade Line | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical - 1 or 2 family dwelling (includes service and low voltage) | $0.10 / sq ft finished area | Plus $65 application + $15 technology fee |
| Electrical - addition | $0.10 / sq ft | Plus $65 + $15 |
| Electrical - pool in-ground / above-ground | $100 / $25 | Plus $65 + $15 |
| Electrical - service upgrade / repair (up to 5 outlets) | $50 | Plus $65 + $15 |
| Mechanical - single family / modular, or addition | $40 per unit | Plus $65 + $15; furnace or condenser retrofit $35 per unit |
| Plumbing - single-family dwelling | $60 | Plus $65 + $15; water and sewer/septic connections $40 each |
| Plumbing - addition / remodel | $25 (2-4 fixtures) / $50 (more than 5) | Plus $65 + $15; the schedule does not list exactly 5 fixtures |
Source: Washington County Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Fee Schedules (Effective July 1, 2024), ORD-2024-14. Trade permits are separate permits and are not included in the building permit totals on this page.
How Washington County Calculates Building Permit Fees
| Step | What Happens | Washington County Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Measure the area | Square footage of the proposed structure or work area. | Gross exterior building dimensions; new dwellings count finished and unfinished area. |
| 2. Apply the rate | Multiply by the per-square-foot rate, or use the flat line. | $0.10 per sq ft for dwellings, accessory structures, and alterations; flat $75 / $125 pools; flat $50 lines. |
| 3. Add application + technology fees | Asterisked lines carry two flat add-ons. | $65 application fee + $15 technology fee = $80 per asterisked permit. |
| 4. New-home add-on | State-law pass-through on new homes. | $50 per unit Home Builder Guaranty Fund fee. |
| 5. No value basis, no levy | Construction cost does not enter the formula. | No valuation-based fee and no Maryland statewide percentage levy. The Building Excise Tax is billed separately. |
Worked Examples
Example 1: New single-family home, 2,400 sq ft
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Square-foot fee | 2,400 sq ft × $0.10 | $240.00 |
| Application fee + technology fee | $65 + $15 | $80.00 |
| Building permit fee | $240 + $80 | $320.00 |
| Home Builder Guaranty Fund fee | $50 per unit | $50.00 |
| Building Permit Total | $320 + $50 | $370.00 |
Assumptions: 2,400 sq ft of finished and unfinished area measured on gross exterior dimensions. Exact from the schedule. Not included: electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits (most trade lines also carry the $65 + $15 application and technology fees), and the county Building Excise Tax of $1.75 per sq ft of habitable gross square footage - if all 2,400 sq ft were habitable that tax alone would be 2,400 × $1.75 = $4,200 (an illustration; the habitable area of your plans sets the real figure, and credits for earlier APFO payments can reduce it).
Example 2: Deck, 300 sq ft
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Square-foot fee (accessory structure line) | 300 sq ft × $0.10 | $30.00 |
| Application fee + technology fee | $65 + $15 | $80.00 |
| Building Permit Total | $30 + $80 | $110.00 |
Assumptions: Decks are named in the "garages, carports, sheds, porches, decks, chimney and other accessory structures" line at $0.10 per sq ft. Exact from the schedule. The flat $80 in fees is most of the cost on a small project. Deck lighting or outlets need a separate electrical permit.
Example 3: In-ground swimming pool
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| In-ground pool building permit | Flat | $125.00 |
| Application fee + technology fee | $65 + $15 | $80.00 |
| Building Permit Total | $125 + $80 | $205.00 |
| Separate electrical permit - in-ground pool | $100 + $65 + $15 | $180.00 |
Assumptions: Both figures are exact from the schedule. Building and electrical are two separate permits, so the pool's permit cost is $205 + $180 = $385 when both apply. An above-ground pool is $75 + $80 = $155 for the building permit and $25 + $80 = $105 for its electrical permit.
Example 4: Interior remodel, 500 sq ft
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Square-foot fee (alterations line) | 500 sq ft × $0.10 | $50.00 |
| Application fee + technology fee | $65 + $15 | $80.00 |
| Building Permit Total | $50 + $80 | $130.00 |
Assumptions: 500 sq ft of work area on the "interior/exterior alterations, repairs and remodeling" line. Exact from the schedule. The contract price of the remodel does not change the fee - Washington County does not charge on construction value. A remodel that adds 2-4 plumbing fixtures needs a separate plumbing permit ($25 + $80 = $105).
Practitioner Insight
Washington County's building permit itself is inexpensive: at $0.10 per square foot, a 2,400 sq ft house pays $240 before the flat fees. On small jobs the $80 in application and technology fees is most of the bill - a 300 sq ft deck pays $30 for its area and $80 in fees.
The number that moves a new-home budget is not the permit, it is the Building Excise Tax at $1.75 per square foot of habitable space, which can run more than ten times the building permit. Also count the separate trade permits: most residential trade lines carry their own $65 application and $15 technology fee, though a few single-appliance and single-fixture lines charge only the technology fee. If your lot is inside Hagerstown or another incorporated town, ask the town first - the excise tax ordinance tells municipalities to collect the tax before they issue a building permit, which suggests some towns permit their own projects. Call the Division of Permits and Inspections at 240-313-2460.
Permit Requirements - Common Residential Projects in Washington County
| Project Type | Schedule Line | Fee Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New single-family home | Named | $0.10/sq ft + $80 | 2,400 sq ft: $320 building permit; $370 with guaranty fund |
| Addition | Not named in the building table | $0.10/sq ft + $80 (our reading) | 400 sq ft: $120 estimate; confirm the line with the county |
| Deck, porch, garage, shed | Named | $0.10/sq ft + $80 | 300 sq ft deck: $110 |
| Interior or exterior remodel | Named | $0.10/sq ft + $80 | 500 sq ft: $130 |
| Swimming pool | Named | $75 / $125 + $80 | Above-ground $155; in-ground $205; electrical permit separate |
| Fence | Higher than 7 ft only | $50 flat | No application or technology fee |
| Demolition | Named | $50 flat | No application or technology fee |
| Solar panels | Named | $50 flat | Electrical permit separate: $50 for 1-10 kW + $80 |
| Roof replacement | Not listed | - | Verify with the county whether a permit is required |
Washington County Division of Permits and Inspections
Division of Permits and Inspections
747 Northern Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742
240-313-2460
Permits and fee questions
Ordinance No. ORD-2024-14
Adopted February 27, 2024; effective July 1, 2024
When This Estimate May Not Apply
Your property is inside a town or city
The county's excise tax ordinance tells municipalities to collect the tax before issuing a building permit, which indicates towns such as Hagerstown can issue their own permits. Which towns do was not confirmed from a county source - check with your town before using these figures.
Additions are not a named building line
The residential building table does not name additions (the electrical and mechanical tables do). The $0.10 per sq ft addition figures on this page are our reading and are labeled estimates.
Different square-foot bases
The building permit counts finished and unfinished area on gross exterior dimensions, the electrical permit counts finished area only, and the excise tax counts habitable gross square footage. Each figure can use a different number from your plans.
Trade permits, excise tax, and utility charges are separate
Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits each add their own fee, usually plus $65 + $15 (a few single-appliance and single-fixture lines charge only the $15 technology fee). The Building Excise Tax, Fire Prevention Bureau fees, water and sewer charges, Health Department well and septic fees, and Soil Conservation District fees are not in these totals.
Schedule age
ORD-2024-14 took effect July 1, 2024 and has no end date. A later ordinance could replace it; confirm the current amounts with the county before filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
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Washington County Ordinance No. ORD-2024-14 - Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Fee Schedules Adopted February 27, 2024; effective July 1, 2024 - Primary source for every permit fee on this page - Verified October 22, 2026.
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Building Excise Tax Ordinance for Washington County, Maryland Revision 14, effective July 1, 2026 - Source for the $1.75 per sq ft residential excise tax and the one-half rate for additions - Verified October 22, 2026.
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Maryland Department of Labor - Building Codes Administration Current - State agency for the Maryland Building Performance Standards, the code set ORD-2024-14 adopts for Washington County (2021 IBC/IRC/IECC with local amendments). Maryland sets no statewide building permit levy; fees are set locally.
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Washington County Division of Permits and Inspections Current - Department page for permit applications and contact information.
See how neighboring Frederick County prices permits, compare Cecil County's $0.30 per square foot schedule on the other side of the state, or browse the rest of the Maryland jurisdictions.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your Washington County 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 jurisdiction, separately from this permit fee.
Excise tax and utility charges
Washington County's Building Excise Tax and water and sewer charges on new construction are separate from the building permit and are excluded from the figures 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 →