Montgomery County, MD Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice before start of work
- 24 hours
- Notice before covering footings/reinforcement
- 24 hours
- First approved inspection deadline
- 12 months from permit issuance
- Second approved inspection deadline
- 14 months from permit issuance
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Permitting Services
Summary
Montgomery County requires 24 hours' notice before starting permitted work and before covering up footings, reinforcement, or fire stopping.
At least twenty-four (24) hours' notice of start of work under a building permit shall be given to the department unless this requirement is waived in the building permit. At least twenty-four (24) hours' notice shall be given the department for inspection of footings, concrete reinforcement, fire stopping and similar details before they are covered up.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under County Code Section 8-25(h), anyone working under a building permit must give the Department of Permitting Services at least 24 hours' notice before starting work, unless the permit waives that requirement. The same 24-hour notice applies before footings, concrete reinforcement, fire stopping, and similar details are covered up, so the Department can inspect them first. Separately, Section 8-25(b) ties permit validity to inspections: a permit becomes invalid if no approved inspection is logged in the Department's inspection history file within 12 months of issuance and a second approved inspection within 14 months, or if work is abandoned for 6 months.
Violations & Fines
Covering work before the required inspection, or missing the 12/14-month inspection milestones, can invalidate the permit and force re-application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice do I need to give before an inspection?
What happens if I miss the inspection deadlines?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.