Applying for a Zoning Certificate

You must apply for a permit in person. You should provide the following information:

• A description of your project
• A cost estimate of your project
• Building plans or drawing showing your project/picture if it’s a kit
• Location survey plat (site plan) showing to scale how your property or structure will be altered.
• A check for your permit fees (see section on Fees below)
  
  The links below will allow you to download a SAMPLE APPLICATION–you can complete this sample before you come to Planning & Zoning. You cannot mail the Application it must be applied for in person.

Download Sample Application: Word   Word Perfect   HTML

Fees:

In addition to the above application and information, a fee will be assessed based upon the construction valuation of your project or based upon the type of construction you are planning. The fees are as follows:

New Buildings (any building that has never been issued an occupancy permit)

• Single-family dwelling: two hundred dollars ($200.00) in addition to any impact fees as established and required by ordinance.
• Multiple family dwelling: two hundred dollars ($200.00) plus one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each additional unit plus any impact fees as established and required by ordinance
• Business and industrial buildings: two hundred dollars ($200.00) plus Three Dollars (3.00)/per Thousand Dollars on (1st) First ($200,000) Two Hundred Thousand Dollars, Then ($2.00)/per Thousand Dollars from ($200,000) Two Hundred Thousand to ($1,000,000) One Million Dollars and then One Dollar ($1.00)/per Thousand Dollars on all over ($1,000,000) One Million Dollars on the Total value of the project. For example, a $2,000,000 building would be:
  
  $  200.00 base
  $  600.00 first $200,000
  $1,600.00 from $200,000 to $1,000,000
  $1,000.00 from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000
  $3,400.00 Total Building Fee

Repairs, Remodeling, Additions, Fences, Pools, Accessory Buildings, Extensions and Alteration.

• Under one thousand dollars (valuation of project is under $1,000) thirty five dollars ($35.00).
• Every $1,000 over the first $1,000 estimated cost it is two dollars ($2.00) per thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of valuation of project.

Change of Use: $35.00

Sign Permits: $35.00 (All)

Frederick County Permits

Some projects require a Frederick County Building or Use permit. You must obtain an Emmitsburg receipt from our office before proceeding with Frederick County. Frederick County will not process a permit application without this receipt. This receipt reflects your zoning compliance with Emmitsburg. Some projects such as installing siding or roofing do not necessarily require an Emmitsburg zoning certificate but do require a Frederick County building permit. In this case you would come to our office to obtain a receipt that shows that Emmitsburg does not require a zoning certificate. You would then apply with Frederick County showing them this receipt. Again, Frederick County will not process a permit application without one of these receipts. To apply with Frederick County you should first check their website for their requirements. Click on the link below to connect with Frederick County Division of Permitting and Development Review. Or call 301-631-2313.

www.co.frederick.md.us

Once you get into the site select:

County Departments (on upper right); then,
Permitting and Development Review; then,
Department of Permits & Inspections, and then
Building Permits/Zoning Certificates at bottom of page

If you already have a permit pending you can also check the status by selecting Search the Permit Database

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the County has assigned you a permit number (you receive this in approximately 2 weeks by mail) you need to inform the Emmitsburg Planning & Zoning Office of the permit #. This allows for us to sign off on the Hansen Permit System used by the Frederick County Permitting Office. If you do not inform us, you may find it takes longer for your permit to get through the system

Review

The town planner will review your application looking for compliance with the Town’s zoning ordinances. The Town Planner may ask you for additional information at this time or will tell you that further review by the Planning & Zoning Commission may be needed. Standard time for review is 7 days. It may take longer if there are issues to be resolved.

Approval/Disapproval

You will receive notice of approval or disapproval of your zoning certificate in the mail (or if requested, we will call you to have you pick it up at the office) in approximately 10 days

Inspections (The final stage of the Zoning Certificate Process)

You will receive along with your approved zoning certificate a letter informing you that when your project is completed you will need to call the office to arrange for a final inspection by Frank Henry. A final inspection is required within one year of construction, so the sooner you get it done the better. If you forget to do it within the proscribed time, you may be asked to go through the zoning certificate process again (this meanspaying fees, etc.). This final inspection ends completes the zoning process.