Development and Zoning, Permits, Licenses, and Inspections

Apply for a Building or Trade Permit

Commercial and residential properties in the City of Rockville are required to obtain permits before starting construction projects related to certain types of work, such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or structural work. Work in or adjacent to the public right-of-way or impacting trees or stormwater facilities also requires permits. Most permits require one or more inspections before work is considered complete and final.

Construction in Rockville is regulated by the Rockville City Code and State of Maryland Fire Prevention Code, among other codes and regulations. Learn more about the city’s building and safety codes.

MGO Connect

Building and development permit applications are now submitted and processed through MGO Connect. Users of the previous system, MyGovernmentOnline, can access their existing projects and applications by logging in at www.rockvillemd.gov/mgoconnect using their same MyGovernmentOnline email address and password. New users can create an account by visiting www.rockvillemd.gov/mgoconnect and clicking “New Account” in the top menu bar.

See below for basic instructions to get started. Further help can be found by visiting the MGO Connect Help Center and selecting a topic from the menu on the left.

Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/mgoconnect.

Click the appropriate “Apply For” button in the menu on the left.

Select the correct application from the list of applications. Note: When completing the application, the applicant is the one submitting the application.

Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/mgoconnect.

Click the “Search” button in the menu on the left.

Select the correct project type from the “Project Type” dropdown menu in the “Jurisdiction” section.

Enter the project number in “Project Number” field under the “Project Details” section.

Click the “Search” button.

Click the three dots next to the project name in the search results and select “Add to my account.”

Anyone who needs access to the project (to view the permit, pay an invoice, schedule an inspection, or print a permit) must be listed as a contact. Once the application has been submitted and turned into a project, select the appropriate form (building form or planning form) to add additional contacts to the project.

Residential and Commercial Permit Applications

Required documents:

Architectural and Structural Checklist
Architectural and Structural Drawings
Property Plot Plan
Homeowner Authorization Letter (if applicable)

Shed Permit Application

Required documents:

Architectural and Structural Checklist
Architectural and Structural Drawings
Property Plot Plan
Homeowner Authorization Letter (if applicable)

Residential Fence Permit Application

Express Residential Fence Permit Application

Commercial Fence Permit Application

Required documents:

Architectural and Structural Checklist
Architectural and Structural Drawings
Property Plot Plan
Homeowner Authorization Letter (if applicable)

Deck Permit Application

Required documents:

Architectural and Structural Checklist
Architectural and Structural Drawings
Property Plot Plan
Homeowner Authorization Letter (if applicable)

Residential Solar Panel Permit Application

Automated Residential Solar Panel Permit Application

Commercial Solar Panel Permit Application

Required documents:

Architectural and Structural Checklist
Architectural and Structural Drawings
Property Plot Plan
Homeowner Authorization Letter (if applicable)

Residential Swimming Pool Permit Application

Commercial Swimming Pool Permit Application

Required documents:

Architectural and Structural Checklist
Architectural and Structural Drawings
Property Plot Plan
Homeowner Authorization Letter (if applicable)

Tent Permit Application

Express Accessory Structure Permit Application

Required document:

Single-Family Acknowledgement (if five or more bedrooms)

New Single-Family Dwelling Permit Application

Residential Occupancy Permit Application

Commercial Occupancy Permit Application

Required documents:

Architectural and Structural Checklist
Architectural and Structural Drawings
Property Plot Plan
Homeowner Authorization Letter (if applicable)
Single-Family Acknowledgement (if five or more bedrooms)

Residential Construction Permit Application

A project may qualify to participate in the Quick Start Program if it is a commercial interior alteration/renovation or a new commercial tenant where there is no change of use or occupancy. Once city staff determines that a project qualifies for the program, an expedited preliminary review will be performed. If the project qualifies and the preliminary review is approved, a placard will be issued, which will permit non-structural interior demolition and construction involving framing non-bearing partitions and other limited interior work. Once the quick start placard is issued, such work may begin while the construction documents undergo a full review.

Required documents:

Building Design Checklist
Architectural and Structural Drawings
Approved Site Plan

Commercial Construction Permit Application

Residential Demolition Permit Application

Commercial Demolition Permit Application

Trade Permit Applications

Electrical Permit Application

Electrical Permit Application (Associated with an Existing Building Permit)

Air conditioners, heat pumps, and emergency generators in single-unit detached residential zones must be accompanied by a house location survey, drawn to scale, showing the location of the unit and the distance from all property lines to ensure compliance with setbacks.

Mechanical Permit Application

Express Mechanical Permit Application

Mechanical Permit Application (Associated with an Existing Building Permit)

Plumbing Permit Application

Express Water Heater Permit Application

Plumbing Permit Application (Associated with an Existing Building Permit)

Backflow Permit Application

Effective Sept. 1, 2024, the City of Rockville requires that water meter or submeter work be applied for under a separate permit application from other plumbing-related work.

Meter and Submeter Permit Application

Public Works Permit Applications

Utility Permit Application

Public Works Permit Application (Protection of Right-of-Way)

Public Works Permit (Public Improvements) Application

Floodplain Permit Application

Sediment Control Permit Application

Stormwater Management Permit Application

Specialty and Other Permit Applications

Fire Protection Permit Application

Temporary Use Permit Application

An existing Occupancy Permit is required.

Temporary Outdoor Dining Area Permit Application

Sign Permit Application

An Oversized Vehicle Permit is required for all oversized vehicles between 10,000 GVW and 13,000 GVW with more then four wheels, but not greater than six wheels, that park in residential areas.

Oversized Vehicle Permit Application

Administrative Bulletins

The Community Planning and Development Services Department publishes administrative bulletins to promote transparency and assist stakeholders in navigating the city’s permitting process.

These bulletins provide formal guidance to owners, designers, contractors, and others when a policy or procedure changes the permitting process, such as when the chief building official or fire marshal issue a code interpretation.

Unlike internal policy memoranda, administrative bulletins affect external stakeholders. They do not amend adopted codes but clarify how existing provisions are administered or enforced. Each bulletin includes a description, relevant code sections, and effective and revision dates, serving as formal notice and instruction.