In Unincorporated Montgomery County, Moving Dirt Can Need a Permit

Land outside a Montgomery County city is not a free pass on permits. In unincorporated areas, a development permit may be required.

The county defines development as a man-made change to land. That can include building, grading, dredging, clearing, or filling. A driveway, pad site, shop, barn, home addition, or lot clearing can all count.

The county keeps separate permit pages for residential, commercial, and non-structure work. If the land is inside a city or another jurisdiction, that office may also have rules. One call before the dozer arrives can prevent a stop-work order.