Jan. 2023

Happy New Year: A Message from the DPS Acting Director

As we look toward this new year at the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS), we are looking back on the accomplishments of the past year.

It was a busy and historic year at DPS, as our dedicated team shined in the office and in the field.

One of the most significant achievements of 2022 was the Sign Ordinance update, which was led by DPS staff. This was the first comprehensive rewrite in more than two decades and illustrates how DPS staff is working to make the permitting process more efficient for customers.  

During Building Safety Month, DPS inspectors set a record for the number of residential deck inspections completed, more than 950 inspections, as part of our outreach. Building safety is our top priority at DPS.   

This fall, DPS launched a new Customer Satisfaction Survey in English and Spanish to get your feedback about our processes and service.

And there’s more. DPS staff recently updated the electricity portion of the County Code; the land development division staff hosted an educational workshop for civil engineers; staff promoted the electric vehicle charging station program throughout the year; we conducted a successful sign sweep along County roads and rights-of-way following the primary election; and we implemented a more efficient way to deliver use and occupancy certificates that we implemented just a few weeks ago, to make it more convenient for our customers. In addition, staff participated in multiple outreach opportunities to spread the word about the Design for Life program, accessory dwelling units, well and septic system use, and promoting code compliance and safety.

DPS staff is known for its expertise. Once again, DPS won several national awards and state recognition this past year. In December, DPS Commercial Inspector Dan Dyer was named Inspector of the Year by the Maryland Building Officials Association for his outstanding service, commitment, and contributions to the organization in promoting professionalism and consistency in the enforcement of building codes. Last spring, DPS earned two 2022 NACo achievement awards in the categories of Civic Education & Public Information and County Resiliency; and Permitting Services Manager Crystal Roberts was recognized with a Quality of Life Award by the Maryland Building Industry Association for her leadership. We are proud of our team!

If you look at the numbers, you will know our office is busy! In 2022, staff issued more than 40,000 permits, completed more than 170,000 inspections, processed more than 12,500 code compliance cases, fielded more than 52,000 MC311 service requests, renewed more than 5,500 licenses and issued more than 900 licenses.

DPS is committed to providing excellent customer service, and many of our recent accomplishments were centered around assisting customers with their projects and improving the permitting experience overall.

Our focus on customer satisfaction, safety and sustainability will continue to be paramount in 2023. We are looking forward to assisting you with your projects in 2023, and we wish you a happy, healthy, and successful year.

Ehsan Motazedi
DPS Acting Director  

Use and Occupancy Certificate News

DPS has streamlined the process for delivering use and occupancy (U&O) certificates to ensure customers are provided the document as soon as their newly constructed home or commercial space passes final inspection. Once the final inspection is complete and approved, the primary applicant will automatically receive an email with the U&O certificate attached.

The U&O certificate is required before a building or space may be occupied. It is issued after the building or space has passed final inspections for building, electrical and mechanical and fire safety. The purpose of the U&O certificate is to document that the use is permitted, and that all applicable safety code and health code requirements have been met. If a building has a variety of uses, each use must have a separate U&O certificate.

In addition, customers now have the ability to print out an approved U&O certificate by visiting the DPS website, logging into their eServices account and selecting the queue for “Print Use and Occupancy Certificate.” Customers could then enter the building permit number for new homes, and the use and occupancy permit number for commercial projects.

“This is a game changer for our customers who no longer have to wait days or request the certificate to receive it,” said DPS Acting Director Ehsan Motazedi. “If the U&O for a new home is approved late on a Friday afternoon, the certificate is instantly emailed to the applicant, and they don’t have to wait until Monday when the office reopens. This saves time and money. Self-service is a key component of this change as customers can also download the certificate directly from the website once it is approved.”

DPS issues hundreds of U&O certificates each year to business owners and new homeowners.

For more information about the permitting process, visit the DPS website. For additional information, contact MC 3-1-1 or call 240-777-0311.

Inspector of the Year

The Maryland Building Officials Association (MBOA) has recognized Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Inspector Dan Dyer as the Inspector of the Year!

Dan was recognized for his outstanding service, commitment and contributions to the organization in promoting professionalism and consistency in the enforcement of building codes throughout the State of Maryland. He was nominated for the MBOA award by his supervisor, DPS Program Manager Chris Allen.

“Dan is the senior commercial building inspector and is assigned to assist DPS customers in completing their projects on time and to ensure they are code compliant,” said Chris. “Dan is an asset to ensuring the safety for Montgomery County’s built environment, and the safety of the County’s residents and visitors. He deserves this award.”

Dan holds 25 active certifications with the International Code Council (ICC), including the Master Code Professional (MCP), which is the highest level of designation and significant because of the commitment and diverse knowledge of codes required for this certification. He is one of 16 people to hold an MCP certification in Maryland, and the only one that works for Montgomery County Government, according to Chris.

Dan was the primary inspector for the new Marriott International headquarters project in Bethesda.

The MBOA award was presented at the organization’s business meeting in December, and Dan said he was surprised when his name was called.

“It is truly humbling to be nominated and to receive this recognition from my peers,” Dan said. “It shows me that doing my best work will not go unrecognized.”

He said his favorite part of the job is inspecting different projects daily and seeing his assigned projects progress from the beginning to the end. He is passionate about his profession and encourages his coworkers to pursue certifications from the ICC as well.

A Montgomery County resident, Dan has worked at DPS for almost nine years.

DPS Advisory Committee Meets Jan. 12

The DPS Advisory Committee meets virtually on Microsoft Teams at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12.

Visit the committee’s website to find membership information, meeting agendas, minutes, and more.

Sign Review Board Meets Jan. 18

The Sign Review Board meets virtually via Microsoft Teams at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18.

The agenda will be posted before the meeting on the DPS website. The 2023 meeting schedule for the Sign Review Board is now posted online.

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

Design for Life Program

Live longer in the home you love, and qualify for property tax credits. Get the facts about the Montgomery County Design for Life Program.

Wednesday Water Webinar

Save the date! The University of Maryland Extension Office will hold its next Wednesday Water Webinar at noon Wednesday, Jan. 18.  

This month’s topic is about the smart use of deicing salts during the winter months and stewardship practices. Register for the webinar online.

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

Electrify Everything

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a website, Residential Electrification, to help answer your questions about residential electrification. Check it out and find answers to everything from electrifying your home to your lawn to your ride.

EV Info

The What’s Happening MoCo podcast recently featured staff from DEP and DPS to discuss what you need to know about buying an electric vehicle and what to know about residential charging stations.

According to DEP Senior Planning Specialist Brian Booher, 12 percent of all new registered vehicles in the County are electric.

DPS Land Development Division Chief Linda Kobylski and Right-of-Way Plan Review Manager Atiq Panjshiri discussed charging options, including the DPS’ right-of-way charging station program, which may be an option for those without a driveway or garage.

In addition to listening to the podcast, you can also watch it on-demand.

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!

DPS Schedule Note

DPS offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The office will reopen at 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17. DPS is located on the 7^th floor at 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton.

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

Take the Survey

DPS has launched a Customer Satisfaction Survey to get your feedback about our permitting processes and service.

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. Please take the survey and let us know about your experience.   

Stay in the Know

Subscribe to Constructive Comments to receive this online newsletter in your inbox each month. In between issues, follow #MoCoDPS on Montgomery County’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for the latest news and information from the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services.