Montgomery County, MD Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- exterior alteration, demolition, signage
- Reviewing body
- Historic Preservation Commission
- Decision deadline
- 45 days after application filed
- Penalty
- Class A violation, daily separate offense
- Exemption
- ordinary maintenance, no material effect
Summary
Montgomery County requires an Historic Area Work Permit before altering, demolishing, or erecting signs on any designated historic site, resource, or district, enforced by the county's Historic Preservation Commission under Chapter 24A of the County Code.
An historic area work permit for work on public or private property containing an historic resource must be issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter before: (1) Constructing, reconstructing, moving, relocating, demolishing or in any manner modifying, changing or altering the exterior features of any historic site or any historic resource located within any historic district.
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
Before constructing, demolishing, relocating, or otherwise altering the exterior features, environmental setting, or signage of any property designated as a historic site or located within a historic district, an owner must obtain a Historic Area Work Permit under County Code Chapter 24A. The Historic Preservation Commission reviews applications at a public meeting and must instruct the Director of Permitting Services to issue or deny the permit within 45 days of filing. Ordinary maintenance and repair that has no material effect on the resource is exempt. Applicants for demolition or substantial exterior alteration must disclose the property's historic designation in writing.
Violations & Fines
Working without a permit, or violating any Commission decision or permit condition, is a class A violation under County Code § 1-19: each day of continued violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to repaint or repair my historic home in Montgomery County?
What happens if I alter a historic property without a permit in Montgomery County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland historic preservation overview
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