Montgomery County, MD Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Master plumber-gas fitter or journeyman
- Issuing agency
- Dept. of Permitting Services
- Bond required
- $1,000 surety bond (master license)
- Penalty
- Class A violation, up to $1,000
- Code source
- Adopted WSSC plumbing regulations, § 34-2
Summary
Montgomery County bars anyone from installing, repairing, or maintaining plumbing or gas fitting equipment without a Department of Permitting Services master or journeyman license, and adopted WSSC plumbing regulations govern the work itself.
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, repair or maintain any plumbing or gas fitting equipment unless such person shall have obtained a license as provided for in this article.
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
The County adopted the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission's Plumbing and Gas Fitting Regulations, with local amendments, as its own plumbing and gas fitting code under § 34-2, covering areas outside the WSSC and Maryland-Washington Metropolitan special taxing districts. Section 34-16 makes it unlawful to install, repair, or maintain plumbing or gas fitting equipment without a master plumber-gas fitter or journeyman license from the Department of Permitting Services (§ 34-17 through § 34-19 cover bonding, fees, and qualifications). Plumbing plans submitted with building-permit applications that already show plumbing detail don't need a separate plumbing-plan filing. DPS reviews and issues the permit off the combined plans.
Violations & Fines
Doing plumbing or gas fitting work without the required license is a Class A violation under § 34-15: up to a $1,000 fine and 6 months in jail, or a $500 civil penalty ($750 on repeat).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who enforces Montgomery County's plumbing licensing rules?
What plumbing code does Montgomery County use?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
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