Building Permit Approval

Beginning August 1, 2022, Frederick County Health Department will no longer be preparing plans pursuant to the issuance of an On-site Sewage Disposal System (OSDS) permit. This change is due to a directive from the Maryland Department of the Environment that plans for OSDS must be developed and submitted for approval by qualified private sector designers. See here for more details. 

New Residential Construction

  1. Property corners, house corners, septic area corners, and center of driveway need to be staked and flagged so they can be seen at the time of the preliminary inspection.  Tall grass, weeds and brush may need to be removed.  All new home permits will have a site visit within 10 business days (typically does not take that long unless there is a staff shortage or extreme weather conditions) prior to approval by Environmental Health.  It is suggested that the staking be completed prior to building permit application or within the next business day to avoid a reinspection fee.  If a site visit is made and there is no staking or the staking is incorrect or not visible a reinspection fee of $50 will be imposed.
  2. If the property is to be served by a septic system, the applicant must provide the name of a Licensed Septic Installer/Master Plumber in Frederick County at the time of building permit application.  If the installer is not provided, the permit will not be approved until such time as one is selected.
  3. If the property is to be served by an individual water well, the well must be drilled and the completion report must be submitted to and reviewed by the Health Department prior to building permit approval.
  4. Foundations must be a minimum of 30 feet from the well.
  5. No permanent or physical objects can be located within the designated septic areas.  Septic areas are reserved for the initial installation and future repairs of the septic system.
  6. Proposed houses should be located where a gravity flow septic system can be installed.  The elevation of the sewer pipe exiting the house must be higher in elevation that the highest point of the designated septic area.  (This item is particularly important if your desire is to have a basement bathroom without using a pump.)
  7. Contact with Health Department is always important if there are questions or concerns that you would like to discuss at any point during the permit or building process.
  8. A final septic inspection is required through the Well & Septic Office prior to a Use and Occupancy Certificate being issued.  The septic installer is responsible for making sure that this process is completed.

Accessory Permits

  1. Proposed additions and structures (pool, shed, addition, etc.) as well as the septic area location must be staked prior to Health Department site visit.  It is suggested that the staking be completed prior to building permit application or within the next business day.  If additions are not staked when the site visit is made, the permit will be placed on hold until contact is made to let the Sanitarian know this has been done.  If a site visit is made and there is no staking or the staking is incorrect or not visible a reinspection fee of $50 will be imposed.  This fee will is to be paid at the Health Department prior to a reinspection taking place.
  2. Proposed additions and/or accessory structures cannot be located within designated septic areas.  Properties that were subdivided after 1972 have designated septic areas.
  3. Additions and accessory structures cannot be located over principal parts (septic tank, distribution box, leaching area) of the septic system.  An addition without a basement can be located up to the septic tank and leaching area but not over them.  An addition or accessory structure with a basement must maintain a minimum of 10 feet from the septic tank, leaching area and septic area.  If your addition requires a connection to the septic system more than 5 feet from the foundation, a septic repair permit will be needed ($30.00 fee).  Repair permits can be applied for at the Health Department.
  4. Foundations within 30 feet of the well are not permitted unless a well variance is requested and granted by the Health Department.
  5. Please restrain dogs and other animals since the Health Department will try to make a site visit within 5 business days of receipt of permit application. 
  6. If you void your permit or have further questions, please call 301-600-1726.