DPS Reorganizes to Put You First

It’s been more than one year since Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Director Mitra Pedoeem reorganized the department of more than 200 employees and created a new division for customer support and outreach.

The Customer Support and Outreach Division is responsible for the administration and issuance of building, land development and zoning-related permits; applications and licenses; information requests; pre-design consultations, and other specialty services.  

“This division was formed to provide a multi-prong approach to enhance the methods in which DPS services are delivered and to provide enhanced communication for our clients,” said Pedoeem. “This heightened focus on customer service empowers our staff to act as facilitators rather than regulators.”

The division processes thousands of permits and information and service requests annually.

“Our primary role is to enhance customer communications, satisfaction and to improve the overall permitting process,” said Pedoeem, who noted the department instituted customer service training for all employees and has created customer service standards including a customer service pledge.

According to Pedoeem, DPS is constantly surveying its customers to determine what is going well and what processes still need to improve.

In addition, DPS recently updated its logo with a new tagline, “Your Project Partner,” and later this year a new permitting system will be launched.

“We want our clients to know that the success of their projects is important to us,” said Pedoeem. “We are committed to providing extraordinary customer service every day in the office, on the website and out in the field to help clients achieve their goals. When a client’s project is completed successfully, it is a win for all of us.”

If you have a question about your current project or if you need more information before starting a future project, visit the DPS website or contact 311.

International Green Construction Code Update

The amended 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) is now in effect in Montgomery County. These changes were approved in the fall of 2021, and since then Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) staff has been educating stakeholders about how the new code may impact them.

“If you are a building owner or work on a design team with a building nearing permit application, you should request a predesign meeting with DPS as soon as possible to see how the 2018 IgCC will apply to your project,” said Bryan Bomer, who is DPS’ sustainability, energy and mechanical manager. “This code provides a whole systems approach to the design, construction and operation of buildings. It applies to certain new buildings, and additions to an existing building of more than 5,000 square feet.”

According to Bomer, the IgCC includes elements that result in better indoor environmental quality and lower impact on natural resources through measures such as on-site solar photovoltaic options, energy modeling options, and building design improvements.

Visit the DPS website for more information about green building codes, and to schedule your predesign consultation online.

New Vendor License Application Form

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has updated its application for a Vendor’s License. You may now email the completed application and supporting documents to DPS.vendor-license@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov without having to visit DPS in person. Learn more about vendor licenses ( door-to-door, regular route, sidewalk, site-specific) by visiting the DPS website.

DPS Interagency Training Session in Silver Spring

Vendor compliance was the topic of a recent DPS training by staff from the Zoning and Site Plan Compliance Section for Montgomery County Community Engagement Cluster (CEC) staff (also known as the red shirts) in Silver Spring.

Vendors are defined as any person who sells, offers to sell, or solicits orders for any goods (including perishable foods) or services on any public street, sidewalk or other public property right-of-way; door-to-door in a vehicle or on foot; from a vehicle or temporary stand or structure that is parked or otherwise temporarily located where goods are sold or dispensed; or from a pushcart or other slow-moving vehicle.

“Field Supervisor Cynthia Lundy and Inspector Ivania Segura did a fantastic job covering all the important and relevant information for the CEC team to assist in the County’s efforts to help communities abide by the Chapter 47 vendor regulations and requirements,” said DPS Manager Greg Nichols.

According to Nichols, the red shirts are out front when it comes to compliance and vending activity.

“We wanted to make sure they understood how important their efforts are in supporting our success,” said Nichols. “Our goal is to educate and empower.”

The training session consisted of a general overview of Chapter 47 and DPS’s authority as well as compliance procedures.

Nichols said DPS is ready to offer similar vendor training to staff at the other regional services centers in Montgomery County. 

First Preventers

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services mission is to promote the health, safety, welfare and economic wellbeing of residents, businesses, and communities in Montgomery County with professional, timely, transparent, and constant review and processing of plans and permits and through inspections of structures, rights-of-way and development.

These building officials, inspectors, plan reviewers, and the fire marshal are also known as first preventers and they are dedicated to safety.

Their mission is to prevent harm by ensuring compliance with building safety codes before a disaster occurs.

"Prevention goes unnoticed by design and definition,” said Fire Marshal Rick Merck. “Success is a nonevent. First preventers play a major role in saving lives, including our first responders, protecting property, and reducing recovery costs.”

Schedule Note

DPS offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 21 for Presidents Day. Apply for permits and submit construction plans online at any time. Our offices will reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Looking for a Job?

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services is hiring building inspectors, a data analyst, permitting specialists, and more. Consider a rewarding career as a code official. Apply today!

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