What is an occupancy permit?

An occupancy permit is the approval needed to operate a business at a specific location before occupying the location, according to the Frederick County Government. Applying for a building permit and zoning certificate starts the permit and inspection process, and a certificate of occupancy is issued upon process completion.

Occupancy permit applications can be expedited, with the customer receiving same-day application review and permit issuance while waiting, states the Frederick County Government. If the customer makes a request before 2:00 p.m., the required inspection can be scheduled for the next day. When construction takes place, additional inspections may be required before a permit is issued.