April 2022

Meet DPS Green Manager Bryan Bomer

The month of April is also known as Earth Month, and Bryan Bomer is the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services sustainability, energy and mechanical manager. This month, he is participating at the Montgomery County Energy Summit where he’s discussing green building codes and highlighting key changes for developers.

In his own words, below, he tells us about his team’s work, and looks toward the future. 

SEM Team

“The Sustainability, Energy and Mechanical (SEM) team is responsible for enforcing three of the commercial building codes: the International Mechanical Code, the International Energy Conservation Code, and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC). I provide direct support to our plan reviewers so they can keep on top of the evolving workload. Additionally, I work with other Montgomery County departments to help tackle climate change through the Montgomery County Climate Action Plan.

“I’ve been with DPS for two years now, and I am the first person to hold this title although there have been folks on this team for years that have done an amazing job prior to me joining. We’re looking to add folks who can help us beyond plan review, as we work hard to help support the Climate Action Plan.”

Code Changes

“I am extremely lucky to work with such a professional and dedicated team. The SEM team is dedicated to providing excellent customer service while maintaining the integrity of the codes. One of the big projects we work on is providing support documents to our clients when the codes change. We recently completed an IgCC code change, and we delivered a solid worksheet. This is something we do on our own, it's not part of the code enforcement process. 

“We see a lot of great projects come through but we’re most looking forward to the 2021 code cycle adoption. This is where we get to implement new concepts and suggest amendments to the code that support the Climate Action Plan. There will be some significant changes recommended this year, and all of the efforts that go into this process is exciting on a different level.”

Saving Energy and Solar

“It’s important to understand your personal energy uses. For some it's driving, others it's heating or cooling an old home. Measuring is critical, from there you can focus on the high energy aspects of your life and make choices to reduce that energy use.

“DPS conducts both plan review and inspections of all residential solar installations. We do this to ensure compliance to the codes which are centered around safety of the occupants and first responders. We take safety very seriously in Montgomery County, and I’m proud of this. It's critical that your home is as efficient as possible before we start adding solar to the roof.  While generating clean renewable energy is an important part of the Climate Action Plan, it doesn't address total energy usage. We need homes and businesses to lower the total demand of energy first, that's how we get out of this vicious cycle of carbon-based energy generation.”

The Future

“Net Zero Energy (NZE) is the goal of generating as much energy as you use in a year. The codes continue to push energy efficiency, and we are for the first time starting to see onsite energy generation as a requirement in the codes. The next two code cycles will be critical to the advancement of required onsite generation along with electrification of homes and buildings.”

A Wet Season Delayed

The 2022 wet season, a period defined by a seasonally high water table, has not officially started yet, according to DPS Well & Septic Plan Review and Inspection Manager Heidi Benham.

According to Benham, a water table test is required for all proposed sewage disposal areas to ensure proper separation between septic systems and groundwater. Upon successful completion of the water table evaluation, percolation tests (in nonrestricted soils) may then be conducted any time to determine soil suitability. Soils testing in any restricted soils must also be tested during a declared wet season.

“Currently, our data shows that precipitation has not been sufficient to establish high water tables,” Benham said. “Additionally, the end date of wet season has typically been April 15 as defined by the regulations. However, if or when groundwater levels reach an acceptable level to start water table testing, the wet season will not be subject to a hard deadline of April 15. Water table testing may occur past this date as long as groundwater levels remain satisfactory for testing. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the data and provide updates.”

For the latest information about the 2022 wet season, visit the DPS website.

DPS Advisory Committee: Apply Today

County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill six vacancies on the Department of Permitting Services Advisory Committee for two active members of civic organizations in the County, two active members of environmental organizations in the County, and two individuals active in land development or a related profession.

The Committee is composed of 17 members, including one member from each of the five regional service center advisory boards, two active members of civic organizations in the County; two active members of environmental organizations in the County; and two members active in land development or related professions, and six non-voting representatives of the Departments of Environmental Protection, Housing and Community Affairs, Transportation, and representatives of the Fire Chief, the Planning Board, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

The Department of Permitting Services is responsible for ensuring public safety through the enforcement of construction and zoning codes and standards. This is accomplished through engineering plan review and construction inspections related to the administration and enforcement of building, structural, electrical, mechanical, fire-safety, energy conservation, and accessibility codes and standards. In addition, the Department is responsible for enforcement of site plans and of the County’s Zoning Ordinance. The Department is responsible for the protection of the County’s water resources and the safety of residents through its engineering and inspection functions related to storm water management, sediment control, floodplain management, well-and-septic systems approval, storm drain design, and work in the public right-of-way. The Department also conducts public outreach on these matters. The Committee must advise the Department on performance of its functions and recommend to the director, the executive, and the council any steps necessary to improve performance.

Members serve three-year terms without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. The Committee currently meets four times per year.

Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, abilities, ethnicities, and ages are encouraged to apply. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Members must complete training on the Maryland Open Meetings Act and basic parliamentary procedure. The County Executive’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 13. For more information, visit the County’s website.   

Looking Ahead: Building Safety Month

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services will offer free, residential, deck maintenance inspections during the month of May, which is also known as Building Safety Month.

During this time of the year many people are spending more time outdoors, and it’s important to ensure your deck is safe for you, your family and your guests.   

DPS Residential Inspections Manager Jim Sackett said these maintenance inspections take approximately 15 minutes once on site. According to Sackett, the deck inspector will be checking the support structure of the deck, ledger attachment, and the condition of the guardrail.

The DPS residential deck maintenance inspection program began back in 2009, and, since then, approximately 1,400 decks have been inspected during the month of May when this popular program is offered.  

Don’t delay! Call 311 or 240-777-0311 to schedule your residential deck maintenance inspection today.

DPS Updates PRO Mid Atlantic

Montgomery County DPS Director Mitra Pedoeem, Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Carmen Berrios, Residential Construction and Fire Code Compliance Division Chief George Muste and other DPS staff recently met with members of PRO (Professional Remodeling Organization) Mid Atlantic to provide updates about the new DPS permitting system that is expected to launch later this year, customer service initiatives, how to schedule residential preconstruction meetings, and more.

If you missed it, watch the virtual meeting on demand.

In the News

In case you missed it, DPS Director Mitra Pedoeem was recently quoted in a MyMCMedia news article about the Streeteries program that is being extended through Labor Day. The Department of Permitting Services was one of the County departments that worked to make this popular program happen.

Looking for a Job?

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

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