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  Departments  :   Planning and Code Administration  :   Licenses

Licenses

The following information is provided to clarify the licensing requirements in the City of Gaithersburg.

Permits are also required for building (electrical and grading), signs, fences, decks, renovations and use and occupancy. Contact the Department of Planning and Code Administration at 301-258-6330 or email them at plancode@gaithersburgmd.gov.

Download Applications
for City Licenses
Purpose of License
Responsible
City Division
Contact Information
Amusement Machine License (pdf) A license to operate an amusement machine. 301-258-6340
neighborhoods@gaithersburgmd.gov
Commercial Kennel License (pdf)
A license to operate a kennel.

301-258-6343
lholland@gaithersburgmd.gov

Dog Exercise Area License (pdf) A license for non-residents to use the City Dog Park. 301-258-6343
lholland@gaithersburgmd.gov
Electrician License (pdf) In the City of Gaithersburg, anyone doing electrical work on a building they do not own must be licensed with the City.
More Iinformation.
301-258-6330
plancode@gaithersburgmd.gov
Fire Systems License
(No application form)
An annual license to operate fire protection systems located in commercial properties. 301-258-6330
permitting@gaithersburgmd.gov
Home Based Business License (pdf) A license to operate a business out of your residence. 301-258-6340
neighborhoods@gaithersburgmd.gov
Litter License - Dog and Cat (pdf) A license to breed dogs or cats. 301-258-6343
lholland@gaithersburgmd.gov
Mobile Food Vendor License (pdf) A license to sell food from truck or street cart. 301-258-6340
neighborhoods@gaithersburgmd.gov
Pet License - Dog and Cat (pdf) All dogs and cats four months of age and older must be continuously vaccinated against rabies and licensed annually.
More information
301-258-6343
lholland@gaithersburgmd.gov
Pet Shop License (pdf) A license to operate a pet shop. 301-258-6343
lholland@gaithersburgmd.gov
Single Family Rental Housing License (pdf)

Multi-Family Rental Housing License
(pdf)

Rooming House Rental License
(pdf)

Hotel/Motel Rental Housing License
(pdf)
All rental properties (including apartments and single-family dwellings) must be licensed every two years. Prior to issuing the final rental license, staff conducts a complete interior and exterior inspection to ensure the dwelling is safe and in compliance with all applicable housing codes.
More information
301-258-6340
neighborhoods@gaithersburgmd.gov
Solicitor License (pdf) A license to sell merchandise door to door. 301-258-6340
neighborhoods@gaithersburgmd.gov

Other Licensing Requirements for Builders and Trades in the City

MHIC License:

A MHIC License (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) is required for anyone and everyone who does building work on someone else's home. So, if you're working on someone else's home, whether it's a single-family house, townhouse, condo, or whatever, as long as they own it, you are required by the State of Maryland law to have a valid, current, MHIC license. (Title 8, Business Regulation, Annotated Code of Maryland, Sections 8-100 through 8-702)

Note: A MHIC license does entitle the bearer to do commercial construction. It does not, however, entitle the bearer to construct a new home in Montgomery County, including Gaithersburg. It also does not cover any licensed trade work.

Building Contractor's License/Montgomery County:

A person constructing any type of new residence in Montgomery County, including Gaithersburg, must have a current Montgomery County Building Contractor's License. This includes single family homes, townhouses, duplexes and the like, and condominiums. (Montgomery County Code, Chapter 31C)

State of Maryland License - Construction:

State of Maryland law requires anyone who does construction business in the state to have a state license. Therefore, other than those folks who do home improvement work and have a MHIC License, all builders who do any type of construction must have a State of Maryland License for construction. (Title 8, Business Regulation, Annotated Code of Maryland, Subtitle 6. Construction, Sections 17-601 through 17- 603) Also, please take note that this includes new homebuilders in Montgomery County. They must also have either a MHIC license or a State of Maryland Construction license in addition to their Montgomery County Building Contractor's License.

Plumbers and Gasfitters Licenses:

Anyone doing plumbing and/or gasfitting in the City of Gaithersburg must be licensed with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). Homeowners can only do plumbing work specified in Section 207.1 of The WSSC Plumbing and Gasfitting Regulations. Under the WSSC Code, homeowners are not allowed to do gasfitting work of any kind.

State of Maryland HVACR License:

The State of Maryland requires anyone doing construction or providing services in the areas of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, whether the work is commercial, residential, or both, to have a current State of Maryland HVACR license. The City of Gaithersburg therefore requires anyone doing work in these areas to display a current HVACR license before a permit will be issued. (Title 9A, Business Regulation, Annotated Code of Maryland, Sections 9A-101 through 9A-602)

State of Maryland Sprinkler Contractor's License:

Any and all work involving automatic fire sprinkler systems, regardless of whether or not a permit is required, must be performed by a contractor holding a current State of Maryland Sprinkler License. A City of Gaithersburg Fire Protection Permit is required for all alterations of existing sprinkler systems and any installation of new sprinkler systems, except for limited area systems having 10 or fewer sprinklers. Regardless of whether or not a permit is required, the sprinkler contractor must complete a Contractor's Material and Test Certificate for the work performed and provide a copy to the City of Gaithersburg. (Article 38A, Section 3, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 29, Subtitle 06, Chapter 5 - Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Regulations)




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