In 2016, DPS submitted a number of legislative proposals and code adoptions that impact the building community. Here's a summary the adopted and proposed legislation.  

• Executive Regulation 6-16  - Adoption of the 2014 National Electrical Code with Local Amendments. Effective October 3, 2016.
•  Executive Regulation 21-15 - Adoption of the 2012 International Green Construction Code, with amendments which supersedes Executive Regulation 19-07AM - Method 2 and Proposed Bill to amend Chapter 8, Article VII. County Council has deferred action on this regulation until June 30, 2017

Fire Safety Codes

• Executive Regulation 7-16 - Adoption of the Fire Safety Code - Fire Protection Systems. Amends ER 19-13 and adopts and modifies certain standards published by the NFPA - National Fire Protection Association as it relates to installation, testing and maintenance of Fire Protection Systems.  Effective August 1, 2016.
• Executive Regulation 8-16 - Adoption of Fire Safety Code - Building Construction. Effective August 1, 2016.

Proposed Zoning Text Amendments

• ZTA 16-15 - Proposed Zoning Text Amendment for Senior and Disabled Standards
• ZTA 16-16 - Proposed Zoning Text Amendment for Conditional Use Decisions
• ZTA 16-17 - Height Encroachments - Townhouses
• ZTA 16-18 - Sandy Spring/Ashton Rural Village Overlay Standards

On November 10, 2016, The Departments of Permitting Services (DPS), Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection (DEP) and Housing & Community Affairs (DHCA) formed a task force of inspection teams to remove signs installed in the public right-of-way to support public safety initiatives related to distracted driving.

There are more than 5,200 lane miles of roads in Montgomery County.  Over 4,000 miles of neighborhood roads and nearly 1,000 miles of arterial roads connecting subdivisions or business districts and main collector streets through subdivisions.  Throughout this transportation network of roads commercial enterprises, individuals and predatory organizations are utilizing the public right-of-way by installing thousands of signs as a means to advertise goods and services to the general public.  When drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are distracted by the information advertised on these signs the probability of someone getting injured increases.

Ehsan Motazedi, Division Chief of DPS’ Division of Zoning & Site Plan Enforcement, kicked off the event in the morning and dispatched 12 inspection teams, by 2 pm the teams returned to the Montgomery County Transfer Station located in Shady Grove and dropped off over 1000 signs.  

Homeowners and Businesses can benefit from the Design for Life program. 

Go designforlifemc.org to find out more! 

2017 Brings More Paperless Permits! 

Beginning January 9, 2017, Fire Protection, Fence, Residential Solar and New Commercial Building Construction will only be accepted electronically.  Currently, Fire Alarm, Electrical and Utility permits require electronic submission. 

Mondays are for eServices Training! DPS has dedicated Mondays for training at 9 am - not need to register just come by the Training Room at 9 am located at the DPS Offices at 255 Rockville Pike.  DPS Staff will be on hand to go through the process on ePermits and ePlans or answer any questions. 

Check out the green tab on the DPS website for more information about eServices .

Questons about eServices? Contact us at: dps.eServices@montgomerycountymd.gov

Reminder to sign up for healthcare before January 31, 2017.  For more information on enrollment: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/healthconnect/

Deck the Halls Safely this Season.

For more information check the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service website.

DPS wishes all their customers a Happy and Paperless 2017!

eServices now accepts ACH payments for online permits!