May 2022

DPS Celebrates Building Safety Month

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is celebrating Building Safety Month during the month of May. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Safety for All: Building Codes in Action.”

As part of the celebration, DPS is offering homeowners free residential deck maintenance inspections, and interest in the program is at an all-time high. Hundreds of residents have already requested this free service this spring. If you are waiting for an inspection date, please be patient as inspectors are scheduling appointments around the County and will continue to do so after the month of May if necessary. 

During the inspection, a DPS inspector will check the support structure of the homeowner’s deck, ledger attachment and the overall condition of the structure.

To schedule an inspection online, visit the DPS website and submitting a service request. The requests may not be anonymous. In the description section of the online form, homeowners should note they are requesting a deck maintenance inspection and include the property address and contact information at the top of the form. Homeowners may also call the County’s central call system at 311 or 240-777-0311.

The County does not provide free deck inspections in the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville because these municipalities have their own permitting departments and protocols.

This year’s Building Safety Month weekly campaign themes include:

• May 1 - 8, Planning for a Safe and Sustainable Tomorrow;
• May 9 - 15, Exploring Careers in Building Safety;
• May 16 - 22, Understanding the Four Phases of Emergency Management; and
• May 23 - 31, Creating a Safe and Abundant Water Supply.

Next week, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County Council are scheduled to issue a joint Building Safety Month proclamation on Tuesday, May 10. 

Learn more about Building Safety Month at www.buildingsafetymonth.org and join the conversation on social media using #MoCoDPS and #BuildingSafety365.

Soil Testing and the Wet Season

Did you know that property that is ineligible for public sewer service must undergo satisfactory water table tests and percolation or sand mound testing to establish a sewage disposal area on the property before it can be considered buildable?

Percolation and sand mound testing may be conducted any time of year provided that sufficient water table testing has been completed. If the proposed percolation or sand mounds tests are located within identified restrictive soil types, then those tests must also be conducted during the wet season. The 2022 Wet Season opened Wednesday, April 20 and closed on Monday, May 2. Current conditions do not allow for water table testing to be extended this year.

Applications may be submitted now for the 2023 wet season. The exact dates for the 2023 wet season will be announced when they are determined.

For more information, visit the DPS website.

Special Event Permits

Are you planning a special event this spring or summer?

A Special Event Permit is required for activities or events in Montgomery County that invites public participation and spectators that may have an impact on public streets, sidewalks, and adjacent private properties. These events may include bazaars, carnivals, concerts, dances, fairs, festivals, and athletic recreational activities. 

In addition to a special event permit, you may need other permits such as electrical/mechanical, use and occupancy, and fire; additional licenses may be needed from other departments.

Learn more by visiting the DPS website.

Sign Review Board Meets May 11

The Sign Review Board meets virtually at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 11. The agenda for the meeting is posted on the DPS website. If you have questions or need more information, contact DPS staff liaison Roger Waterstreet at roger.waterstreet@montgomerycountymd.gov.

County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants for the Sign Review Board. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 20.

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