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DPS Constructive Comments

Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 10/18/2016 09:15 AM EDT

October 2016

2012 International Green Construction Code Submitted to County Council

Executive Regulation 21-15 - 2012 IgCC as amended

The County Executive has moved forward with adoption of the 2012 International Green Construction Code (“IGCC”) which establishes base requirements for sustainable construction. Following extensive review, outreach and comment, Executive Regulation 21-15 , which proposes adoption of the IGCC, was transmitted to the County Council on September 28, 2016.

The IGCC establishes standards for sustainable construction that will reduce the carbon footprint resulting from construction activities and energy consumption. This code is a legacy code for future generations and is proposed to be required 180 days after adoption. The IGCC will apply to new commercial and multi-family residential buildings and additions that are 5000 square feet or larger. The IGCC will require building design and construction to reduce energy consumption, meet construction and demolition waste reduction targets, and mitigate heat island effects that occur when building and pavement surfaces absorb, retain and reflect heat. Projects will also be required to commit to conservation electives to reduce impacts on the environment as a result of development. The number of required conservation electives relates to the size of the building.

Portions of the IGCC cover areas of land use planning, water conservation, material conservation, energy conservation and emission reduction, indoor environmental air quality, etc. Consistent with streamlining efforts, Executive Regulation 21-15 applies the IGCC in areas over which the Department of Permitting Services has authority.

The IGCC will capture more buildings and move Montgomery County beyond the progress it has made under the existing Green Building Law which, as of Spring 2016, has resulted in 142 LEED certified buildings since 2007.

More Streamlining of Residential Solar Permits

Montgomery County code 8-24C requires an expedited process for residential solar permits. The requirements for submitting and reviewing applications for all residential solar permits including; the residential rooftop solar panel installations and referback rooftop solar panel installations. A complete residential solar packet with information guidelines, rooftop solar and referback solar requirements is also available.

Please not the time frames for submitting the application, corrections, and paying fees to take advantage of the reduced rate and expedited time frames for solar permits. Failure to timely provide plans, corrections and payment may result in voiding the permit application.

New Radon Testing Requirements for Home Sales

Sellers and Buyers of homes take note of the new radon testing requirements for home sales!

Effective October 1, 2016, County law requires radon testing for single-family before being sold. See, Chapter 40 of the County Code, as amended by County Bill 31-15.

The Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for administering radon testing for home sales. For more information, please visit DEP’s website. Remember, DPS administers radon testing and system requirements only for new construction.

Artisan Zone Gives Greenlight to Craft Distilleries

A new County policy to encourages the location of emerging and growing craft distilleries.

The policy, based on the recently adopted Zoning Rewrite, allows the annual production of up to 50,000 gallons of distilled liquor in certain commercial/residential mixed-use zones. For companies that grow or are at greater levels of production, of between 50,000 and 100,000 gallons of distilled liquor will be allowed in light industrial zones. More than 100,000 gallons of distilled liquor are allowed in heavy manufacturing zones.

“Applying the new artisan zone to distilleries makes clear to artisans, craftspeople and small businesses that Montgomery County welcomes and supports their spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship and has the places for them to locate, create, market and grow,” said County Executive Leggett. “County residents spend hundreds of millions of dollars per year on beer, wine and spirits and this will help encourage ‘home-grown’ products.”

85+ New Businesses Opening with DPS Help

DPS welcomes the Clarksburg Outlets and has been working diligently with the owner and contractors to meet their target of opening the end of October, 2016.

Kudos to the DPS building, zoning and site plan, and land development plans reviewers and inspectors who have been working morning, noon, evening and weekends to help these businesses open on schedule at this exciting new retail venue!

Coming up New Required ePermits

As of January 9, 2017, DPS eServices will require online applications for the following services: Fire Protection, Fence, Residential Solar and New Commercial Construction permits.

To get ready DPS is offering free training every Monday at 9 am at their offices located at 255 Rockville Pike. No registration necessary.

SAVE THE DATES FOR UPCOMING OPEN HOUSES Training, Update Accounts and more:

November 15, 2016 from 9 am - 3 pm

December 15, 2016 from 9 am - 3 pm

For information or questions go to the DPS website or contact Aaron Smith at 240-994-0335.

New Electrical Codes Effective October 3, 2016

Executive Regulation 6-16 adopts the 2014 NEC with local amendments effective on July 1, 2016 and required as of October 3, 2016. If you missed the open houses, you can find the highlights of the code changes with the NEC webinar!

Department of Permitting Services

255 Rockville Pike, 2nd Floor

Rockville, MD 20850

For more information call 311 or 240-777-0311

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