Oct. 2022

Sign Ordinance Rewrite

Montgomery County has significantly revised its Sign Ordinance to streamline the permitting process and provide applicants with more flexibility. The Department of Permitting Services (DPS) led the effort to update the sign section of the Zoning Ordinance to reflect changes requested by local leaders and representatives of the business community. The County Council approved Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 22-05 on Sept. 20.

“Revamping the County’s sign ordinance began with a comprehensive review of the sign ordinance with the goal of updating it to reflect current development and urbanization patterns of land use in the County,” said DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi. “This update is another example of how DPS is working to make the permitting process more efficient for our customers.”

Among the changes allowed by ZTA 22-05 will be to create more flexibility for menu board signs associated with drive-through and service windows and increasing the frequency allowed for messages to change on digital signs.

Prior to the approval of the new ZTA, owners of digital sign boards were legally limited to changing the messages on digital signs to once every 24 hours unless they obtained a variance. The new regulations will allow changes once every 30 seconds.

Highlights of the changes that will be implemented by ZTA 22-05 include:

• More flexibility for menu board signs associated with drive-through and service windows. The current sign ordinance does not allow these signs by right and would require a variance from the Sign Review Board. The update alleviates this issue, allowing freestanding signs associated with a drive-through lane by right.  
• Increasing the frequency allowed for messages to change on digital signs from once every 24 hours to once every 30 seconds.
• Merging limited duration and temporary signs into a single “temporary sign” category for more efficiency.
• Allowing canopy signs in the commercial areas to be modified without the need of amendments to the site plan.
• Adding a provision that would allow entrance signs to subdivisions approved by the Planning Board to not require a sign variance provided that the details of the sign location, height and area are shown on the site plan. By deeming these signs code compliant, applicants are not required to request a sign variance from the Sign Review Board, which saves up to 60 days.
• For businesses that abut a major highway, arterial or business district road, the one customer sign that could previously only be placed at a direct customer entrance can now be placed at a different location without the need for a variance.
• Amendments to the provisions governing DPS’s role in issuing a permit for a sign erected on a historic resource or in a historic district.

The changes approved in ZTA 22-05 represent the first comprehensive rewrite of the County Sign Ordinance in the past 25 years. The provisions of ZTA 22-05 are expected to go into effect on Monday, Oct. 10.

As defined by the Zoning Ordinance, a sign permit is required before any exterior sign may be installed in the County. A sign variance is required when the sign does not conform to the Zoning Ordinance.

For more information about the permitting process and signs, visit the DPS website or call MC 311 at 240-777-0311.

National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9 - 15

Did you know that Oct. 9-15 is the 100^th anniversary of National Fire Prevention Week? This annual campaign is to raise awareness about fire prevention. Education and planning are two important actions to keep yourself and those around you safe from fire.

At DPS, the Fire Prevention and Code Compliance division is a team of inspectors, engineers, program managers and administrative support staff who are responsible for performing periodic inspections of establishments after the permitting process is complete.  

According to Fire Code Compliance Manager Patsy Warnick, this team represents the fire department on all technical matters outside of emergency operations.

“We assist businesses with maintaining their fire systems and life safety features to ensure their businesses are safe for all County residents and visitors,” said Warnick. “We provide nonemergency support for the fire department so first responders can promptly return to service following an incident.”

Staff performs inspections, follows up on complaints of hazardous conditions, and guides business owners toward compliance with the Fire Code.  

As for some fire prevention and safety tips, Warnick said it is important to ensure egress paths are clear and unobstructed so occupants can evacuate in the event of an emergency. Egress paths include doors, corridors, and stairways. All doors in the path of egress should open and close freely, she said.

In addition, exit signs should be visible and emergency lighting should be provided. It’s also important, she said, to have fire protection systems such as fire alarms and sprinkler systems inspected, tested and maintained by a licensed contractor to make sure they are functioning when needed.

“Everyone has a role in fire prevention,” Warnick said. “Please be sure to apply for a permit through DPS anytime there is construction, a hazard, or a major process change in the establishment.”

Visit the DPS website for more information about fire code compliance. If you have questions, call MC 311 (240-777-0311).

Makeover Montgomery Outreach

Resilience was the theme for the fifth installment of Makeover Montgomery. DPS staff provided outreach information about permitting topics at the conference in Wheaton. 

DPS Hosts Civil Engineers Workshop

About 50 civil engineers attended a September workshop hosted by the land development division at DPS to discuss several topics, including floodplains, stormwater management and sediment control. Because of the popularity of the event, a future workshop is in the works.

Land Development Discussion

DPS Land Development Division Chief Linda Kobylski was the keynote speaker of a recent PRO (Professional Remodeling Organization) MidAtlantic quarterly discussion event to discuss the drainage ordinance, tree protection, restoration of the right-of-way, and well and septic topics. She was joined by several DPS staffers, including Residential Construction Division Chief George Muste. If you missed the discussion, watch it on-demand on YouTube.

Inspectors Meeting

DPS inspectors meet quarterly to discuss news and information pertinent to their work in the field. Some of the topics covered at this September meeting included sediment control, zoning crossovers, and the introduction of new staff.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Montgomery County is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from now until Oct. 15. As part of the celebration, several DPS employees have been featured on the County’s Facebook and Twitter pages beginning with Permit Technician Ramona Zapata. Check out the campaign by looking for the hashtags #MoCoDPS and #HispanicHeritageMonth.  

EV Charging Outreach in Poolesville

DPS Sustainability Manager Bryan Bomer provided outreach information about EV charging stations at the Drive Electric event in Poolesville on Sept. 17.

In October, DPS will be partnering with the Department of Environmental Protection to promote Energy Action Month. The theme is Electrify Everything! 

DPS Advisory Committee Meets Oct. 6

The DPS Advisory Committee meets online via Microsoft Teams at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6. The agenda for the meeting is posted on the DPS website. If you have questions or need more information, contact DPS Community Outreach Manager Sonya Burke at sonya.burke@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Sign Review Board Meets Oct. 12

The Sign Review Board meets virtually via Microsoft Teams at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12. The agenda for the meeting will be posted before the meeting on the DPS website. If you have questions or need more information, email the board’s staff liaison, Roger Waterstreet, at roger.waterstreet@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Wednesday Water Webinar: Oct. 19

Mark your calendar for noon on Wednesday, Oct. 19. That’s when the University of Maryland Extension Office will hold its next Wednesday Water Webinar. This month’s topic is what homeowners need to know about their septic systems. Register online.

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