Dec. 2022

What You Need to Know about Changes to the Electricity Portion of the County Code

At the request of County Executive Marc Elrich, the Montgomery County Council has approved Bill 12-22, which amends the electricity portion of the County Code (Chapter 17). The new legislation goes into effect as of Feb. 13, 2023.

“These changes will impact DPS customers who are seeking electrical licenses and permits,” said DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi.

According to Motazedi, the State of Maryland is the authority having jurisdiction over the electrical licensing process with the passage of the Maryland Electricians Act, which went into effect last year on July 1, 2021. The effect of the new State law is that electricians will no longer be required to carry numerous local licenses. Electricians are required to be licensed by the State of Maryland.

The County Council’s amendment to Chapter 17 repeals three license categories: master, master limited and journeyman. In addition, the rewrite eliminates the Montgomery County Board of Electrical Examiners as many of its previous functions have been assumed by the State of Maryland and are no longer needed. The main function of the Board was to administer examinations to candidates who met the minimum requirements for licensure.

In Montgomery County, a residential electrical permit is required for all electrical wiring work performed. An electrical license is not required to apply for a low voltage permit from DPS. Low voltage is defined as electrical systems designed to operate at 50 volts or less and includes wiring to fire alarm systems, telephone systems, audio/video systems, computer network and other systems operating at or below 50 volts.

The Chapter 17 update also will allow approved third-party apps to review permit applications for residential photovoltaic systems, such as rooftop solar projects, to streamline the permitting process.

For more information about electrical licenses and permits, visit the DPS website. If you have questions, contact MC311.

Empowering Houses of Worship

Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Manager Simin Rasolee was one of the featured presenters at a recent workshop titled, Empowering Houses of Worship, at the Silver Spring United Methodist Church.

The workshop was designed for local faith communities who may be thinking about or in the process of buying land, building and/or renovating their facilities.

Faith-based organizations and their representatives should note that DPS offers case management services for houses of worship. These applicants are encouraged to meet with DPS before purchasing, leasing and/or developing plans for a property.

DPS Land Development Division Chief Linda Kobylski, Zoning and Code Compliance Division Chief Victor Salazar, Permitting Services Manager Gail Lucas and Community Outreach Manager Sonya Burke also attended the workshop.

In addition to DPS, there were also presentations and representatives from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and Georgetown University.  

For more information about building or expanding a house of worship, visit the DPS website.

Evergreen Tree Sales Around the County

The holiday season is underway and that means you may have noticed evergreen tree sales are popping up at church parking lots and roadside stands.

These pop-up tree sale sites are required to have a Use and Occupancy certificate, and operators must reapply for these temporary certificates every year.  An electrical permit may also be needed if the site includes hardwiring lights or temporarily tapping into an existing electrical circuit. Evergreen tree sales at pop-up sites are permitted from now through Dec. 24.

For more information, visit the DPS website or call 311. 

Gift Greener

Did you know the amount of household waste in the United States increases an average of 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day?

That’s why the Department of Environmental Protection and its partners, including the Department of Permitting Services, are reminding you to “gift outside the box” and “gift greener” this holiday season. 

By thinking differently about shopping for gifts, we can reduce waste, save money and support our local economy.

The 2022 holiday campaign has five focus areas:

• Buy Local: Support County and State businesses by purchasing locally made products.
• Gift Experiences: Offer a gift that features event tickets, classes, music lessons, or a stroll in a park.
• Gift Greener: Encourage green giving that includes LED lightbulbs and reusable materials such as water bottles, metal straws and cloth napkins.
• Give Back: Among the most appreciated gifts are donations to local charities in the name of a family member or friend.
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Consider gifts made from recycled or reused materials, re-gift items not used from last year and recycle the paper. Gift givers are encouraged to minimize wrapping by using reusable gift bags and cloth.

Learn more by visiting the Gift Greener website.

GreenDrop Opens in Germantown

DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi recently attended the grand opening of GreenDrop at 18006 Mateny Road in Germantown.

The donation center, at the Clopper Mills Village shopping center, accepts clothing and household items on behalf of its nonprofit partners.

This is the business’ first location in Montgomery County.

Design for Life Outreach

Permitting Services Manager Gail Lucas recently shared details about the Montgomery County Design for Life program during a Senior Planet Montgomery presentation titled, “Home Sweet, Ohm.”

Lucas said it is important to plan ahead to make your home more accessible for all ages and stages of life, and she noted that there are property tax credits available.

According to Lucas, it is important to get the word out about the Design for Life program and make sure home builders and homeowners know about it so that more people can take advantage of it.

To learn more, watch the video on demand.

DPS on the Radio

Department of Permitting Services Land Development Division Chief Linda Kobylski and Senior Plan Reviewer Mariella Dallas recently appeared on the Montgomery Al Dia Spanish-language radio show to promote the new DPS Customer Satisfaction Survey and the department’s free design consultation service.

If you missed the show live, watch it on-demand on You Tube.

Sign Review Board Meets Dec. 14

The Sign Review Board meets virtually via Microsoft Teams at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14.

The agenda for the meeting will be posted before the meeting on the DPS website.

If you have questions or need more information, email Roger Waterstreet, the board’s DPS staff liaison, at roger.waterstreet@montgomerycountymd.gov.

DPS Advisory Committee Info

Keep up with the DPS Advisory Committee by visiting its new website. That’s where you will find membership info, meeting agendas, minutes and more.

Winterizing Your Septic System

Mark your calendar for noon Wednesday, Dec. 14.

That’s when the University of Maryland Extension Office will hold its next Wednesday Water Webinar, and this month’s topic is about caring for your septic system during the winter months. The webinar will include a few practices that homeowners can do to help keep their septic system working well throughout the colder months. Register online.

For more information about the permitting process and septic systems, visit the DPS website.  

Take the Survey

Have you heard? DPS has launched a new Customer Satisfaction Survey!

The survey is posted on the DPS website in English and Spanish for customers to rate the overall quality of the services they received; how quickly requests and applications were processed; and asks for feedback on whether customers were satisfied with the services they received and how DPS could improve.

Providing excellent customer service is a top priority of DPS, and your feedback is key. Do not delay, take the survey today.

Looking for a Job?

Join our team!

The Department of Permitting Services is hiring building inspectors, permitting specialists, and more. Consider a rewarding career as a code official.

Don’t delay; apply today!

Office Hours and the Holidays

In observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, DPS offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 2.

Regular office hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, on the 7^th floor of the Wheaton Office Building at 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton.

Apply for permits and submit construction plans online, at any time, by visiting the DPS website.

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