Commercial Mechanical Permit & Inspection Process
A mechanical permit is required to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace a mechanical heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system, the installation of which is regulated by the International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel-Gas Code (IFGC) or the International Residential Code (IRC), as appropriate. This includes but, is not limited to furnaces, heat pumps, air-conditioning units, range hoods, cooling towers, chillers, fuel-oil tanks and piping system, boilers with less than 350,000 BTU combined capacity, LP-gas tanks and piping systems from the first regulator transitioning to utilization pressure. If you have questions, email DPS.electrical-mechanical@montgomerycountymd.gov.
A mechanical permit is required to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace a mechanical heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system, the installation of which is regulated by the International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel-Gas Code (IFGC) or the International Residential Code (IRC), as appropriate.
Permits are not required for the following however, this does not exempt the work from compliance with any applicable code, laws or ordinances:
- Portable ventilation appliances and equipment
- Portable cooling units
- Steam, hot water, or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment or appliances regulated by DPS
- Replacement of any minor part that does not alter the approval of equipment or an appliance or make such equipment or appliance unsafe
- Portable evaporative coolers
- Self-contained refrigeration systems with a maximum rating of 12,000 BTUs
- Finishing single-family basements (attached and detached) where the work is limited to ductwork and exhaust fans
- Replacemnt of components within a unit such as compressors and/or burners
Applications must be submitted electronically. Permits are generally issued upon payment. Any permits that require zoning will be put in a queue and reviewed in the order in which it was submitted. Generally permits are approved within a day or two.
Please see our fee schedule for information concerning the fees associated with this permit.
Depending on the type of work being performed, you may or may not need a license to obtain a mechanical permit. We have created a form that allows you to see who can obtain a permit. Click on the link below to see who can obtain a mechanical permit.
Who Can Apply For A Mechanical Permit?
Mechanical permits can be revised once issued by submitting a new/updated fully completed permit application. If changes are made to the equipment sizes, the general contractor must first revise the parent building permit and submitted drawings to be approved/updated by plan review.
Once issued, the permit can only be cancelled by submitting a written request signed by the property owner, the general contractor, or the mechanical contractor/company that applied for the permit to DPS. Email cancellation requests to
DPS.electrical-mechanical@montgomerycountymd.gov.