Washington County's homeowner procedure describes its building review path outside Hagerstown. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF). Hagerstown uses its city permit office. Source: City of Hagerstown: Building permits. Boonsboro and Williamsport residents first obtain town zoning review, then use the county building review path described in the county booklet. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
Who issues the permit depends on your address
Check the actual town boundary. The county homeowner booklet distinguishes county parcels, Hagerstown, and towns whose zoning approval precedes county building review. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
Washington County Division of Permits and Inspections
Handles building review for county parcels and, after town zoning review, the Boonsboro and Williamsport process. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF), Washington County: Permits and Inspections.
City of Hagerstown
Takes building permit applications for property within city limits. Source: City of Hagerstown: Building permits, Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
Boonsboro and Williamsport zoning offices
Review town zoning before the county building review route described in the county booklet. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
Do I need a permit? Job by job
Short answers for the remodel jobs homeowners ask us about most. Your exact scope decides the answer, so confirm with the permit office for your parcel.
Deck
Depends on scopeCheck the county or town permit path for your parcel. Hagerstown has its own residential deck application materials. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF), City of Hagerstown: Building permits.
Our decks workFinished basement
Depends on scopeCheck with the correct permit office about the proposed building and trade work. Source: Washington County: Permits and Inspections, City of Hagerstown: Building permits.
Our basement finishing workBathroom or kitchen remodel
Depends on scopeAsk whether building or separate trade approvals apply to your plumbing, electrical, or mechanical changes. Source: Washington County: Inspections, City of Hagerstown: Building permits.
Our bathroom remodeling workAddition or porch
Permit requiredThe county homeowner procedure provides a building permit path for new construction and additions; town zoning can apply first. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
Our home additions workShed
Depends on scopeHagerstown lists a limited exemption for small detached storage buildings. Check county or town rules for your parcel. Source: City of Hagerstown: Work exempt from building permits, Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
Roof, siding, or window work
Check with the countyCheck with the office serving your parcel; Hagerstown publishes specific roof and ordinary finish exceptions. Source: City of Hagerstown: Building permits, City of Hagerstown: Work exempt from building permits.
Our roofing workThe typical permit steps in Washington County
- Check whether the property is in Hagerstown, another incorporated town, or county jurisdiction. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
- For Boonsboro or Williamsport, seek town zoning approval before county building review. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
- Apply to the correct permit office and request the required inspections after approval. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF), Washington County: Inspections, City of Hagerstown: Building permits.
HOA approval and historic districts are separate
Check your HOA documents for separate approval of exterior or structural changes. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
Check with the city or town before exterior work on a historic property; the permit office can identify any additional local review. Source: City of Hagerstown: Building permits, Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
How Real Elite handles permits
On a job we build, we confirm which office has jurisdiction over your parcel, pull the permits the scope needs, and schedule the inspections. Start with a free site visit: we walk the project with you, tell you what we expect the permit path to be, and put it in a written estimate. If something on this page doesn’t match what the county tells you, the county is right.
Quick questions
- Does Hagerstown use Washington County building permits?
- Hagerstown accepts its own building permit applications for city property. Source: City of Hagerstown: Building permits.
- Where do Boonsboro residents begin?
- The county procedure directs Boonsboro residents to town zoning review before county building review. Source: Washington County: Homeowner permit procedures (PDF).
- Do I need a permit for a bathroom remodel?
- Check with the office serving your parcel; the answer depends on the building and trade changes. Source: Washington County: Inspections.
Official sources
Last checked October 11, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the county before you file.
Where we work in Washington County
Permit guides for other counties
- Fairfax County, VA permit guide
- Loudoun County, VA permit guide
- Arlington County, VA permit guide
- Montgomery County, MD permit guide
- Howard County, MD permit guide
- Frederick County, MD permit guide
- Berkeley County, WV permit guide
- Jefferson County, WV permit guide
- Franklin County, PA permit guide
- Fauquier County, VA permit guide
- Prince William County, VA permit guide
- Frederick County and Winchester, VA permit guide
- Clarke County, VA permit guide
- City of Alexandria, VA permit guide
- Falls Church and City of Fairfax, VA permit guide
- Anne Arundel County and Annapolis, MD permit guide
- Carroll County, MD permit guide
- Manassas and Manassas Park, VA permit guide