Do you need a permit for a pergola, play set, or carport in Montgomery County, MD?
It depends on the details of your project.
Swings, play equipment, playhouses and treehouses need no permit.
Pergolas, gazebos and carports are accessory structures and need a building permit.
Every accessory structure except play equipment needs a building permit.
A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Montgomery County before you build.
Check your exact lot
Your zoning district sets the setbacks, and a flood zone can change the permit answer. Enter your address to see both.
Permits a pergola, play set, or carport can need in Montgomery County
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Building permit | DPS lists accessory structures as work that needs a permit. Only play equipment, playhouses and treehouses are exempt.Medium confidence |
| Electrical permit | Lights, fans or outlets need an electrical permit.Medium confidence |
| Floodplain development permit | Structures in a FEMA special flood hazard area need a floodplain permit. |
| Historic Area Work Permit (HPC) | On a Master Plan historic site or in a historic district, exterior changes need a Historic Area Work Permit from the Historic Preservation Commission before DPS issues other permits. |
Local details
- Call 811 at least a few days before you dig footings or post holes. Utility locating is free.
- HOA covenants and deed restrictions can be stricter than city rules. Check yours before you build.
How to apply
- DPS eServices
- Department of Permitting Services
- MCAtlas zoning map
- Phone: 311 (240-777-0311)
Common questions
- When does a pergola, play set, or carport need a building permit in Montgomery County?
- DPS lists accessory structures as work that needs a permit. Only play equipment, playhouses and treehouses are exempt. Swings, playground equipment, playhouses and treehouses need no permit.
- Where do I apply for a pergola, play set, or carport permit in Montgomery County?
- Apply through DPS eServices, or call 311 (240-777-0311).
Sources
- Montgomery County DPS, Permits Required / No Permits Required (2024). Checked 2026-10-21
[Likely requires a permit:] Accessory Structure; Deck; Driveway (apron only); Electrical Work; Exterior Work on Historic Property; Fence; Garage; Hot Tub; HVAC Heating (replacing); Land Disturbance (greater than 5,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards or more …
- 2024 IRC R105.2, Work exempt from permit (text published by the City of Benson, AZ). Checked 2026-10-19
One-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet. Fences not over 7 feet high. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a…
- 44 CFR 59.1, definition of development (NFIP). Checked 2026-10-19
Development means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures...
- 44 CFR 60.3, floodplain management criteria. Checked 2026-10-19
Require permits for all proposed construction or other development in the community...
- Montgomery Planning, Historic Area Work Permits. Checked 2026-10-21
Work requiring a HAWP includes but is not limited to the following: [new construction, additions, removing porches and other exterior work on Master Plan historic sites and properties in Master Plan historic districts, reviewed by the Historic Preservation …