Dec. 2023

Stakeholders Input is Key at Upcoming Forum

Calling all architects, builders, contractors, designers, developers, engineers, land use attorneys, permit expediters and other building professionals to the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Stakeholders Forum on Dec. 6 in Wheaton.

The forum takes place from 9 a.m. to noon in the second-floor auditorium at 2425 Reedie Drive. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for a meet and greet with DPS staff.  Look for the agenda to be posted on the DPS website in advance of the meeting.

DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan is leading the forum and said DPS staff will update attendees on a variety of topics from new DPS programs and services to dashboards for turnaround times and the status of code updates.

Most importantly, Director Sabbakhan said the forum is an opportunity for staff to hear directly from its professional stakeholders about what’s working and what could be improved when it comes to the permitting department.  He will also unveil the new DPS Customer Bill of Rights.

Space is limited to 200 spots! Reserve your spot online at this link: https://forms.office.com/g/JmSGrX7S0X.

Questions? Contact Leah Ortiz at leah.ortiz@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Holiday Tree Sales in Montgomery County

The 2023 holiday season is underway and evergreen tree sales are taking place around Montgomery County at church parking lots and roadside stands.

These pop-up tree sale sites are required to have a Use and Occupancy certificate from the Department of Permitting Services, 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 a permitted activity now through Dec. 24. The property must meet the limited use standards outlined in the zoning ordinance governing seasonal outdoor sales to ensure there is adequate vehicular circulation, parking, and queuing; that no obstruction adversely affects visibility at an intersection or driveway; and other standards depending on the zone where the activity is conducted.

For more information, visit the DPS website. If you have any questions, contact 311 and request to talk with a DPS zoning plan reviewer to discuss information related to seasonal outdoor sales.

Gift Outside the Box

The Department of Environmental Protection and its partners, including the Department of Permitting Services, is reminding you to “gift outside the box” and “gift greener” during the 2023 holiday season. 

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

The “Gift Greener” holiday campaign is all about reducing waste, saving money and supporting our local economy. The campaign is focused on five 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 at montgomerycountymd.gov/dep/gift-greener.html.

DPS to Close Early on Dec. 11, Holiday Schedule

The Department of Permitting Services will be closing early at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11 for an employee appreciation event. The office will reopen at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12.

County offices will also be closed on Monday, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday and Monday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Customers may apply for permits and submit construction plans online at any time. If you have questions, call MC 311 or 240-777-0311.

DPS offices are located at 2425 Reedie Drive, 7^th floor, in Wheaton. Customers do need an appointment to get assistance in person during regular business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Visit the DPS website for more information at montgomerycountymd.gov/dps.

If you have questions, call MC 311 or 240-777-0311.

DPS Outreach in East County

DPS Plans Reviewer Sergio Hurtado and DPS Inspector Ivania Gomez-Segura provided information about the department's programs and services at the Department of Recreation's Rec and Resources Open House at the East County Community Recreation Center last month. 

DPS Director Featured on Montgomery Al Dia

DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan recently touted the latest DPS news and information on the Montgomery Al Dia Spanish-language radio show. Watch the interview on YouTube.

Work at DPS

The Department of Permitting Services is hiring inspectors, permitting specialists and more! Consider a rewarding career as a building code official. Check out the County’s website for information about new DPS employment opportunities.

Permitting Services Podcast

The Department of Permitting Services Podcast connects listeners with subject matter experts, local code officials, about the permitting and inspections process for commercial and residential projects.

DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas hosts the podcast and encourages listeners to suggest ideas and questions for future episodes by email at dps.podcast@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Since its launch earlier this year, the podcast has covered a variety of topics including accessory dwelling units, building safety, deck permits, commercial building trends, fire code compliance permits, fire prevention safety tips, residential fast track permits, what to know about your septic system, use and occupancy certificates, the public right-of-way, urban farming and more.

Podcast episodes are available on the DPS website and on podcast platforms, such as Amazon, Apple and Spotify. Subscribe to the podcast by tapping the “plus” or “follow” sign on your favorite podcast provider’s platform. The DPS podcast is also available at https://permittingservicespodcast.buzzsprout.com/.

Sign Review Board Meets Dec. 13

The Sign Review Board is scheduled to meet virtually via Microsoft Teams at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13. If you have questions about the agenda, email Roger Waterstreet at roger.waterstreet@montgomerycountymd.gov.

DPS Advisory Committee Meets Jan. 18

The Department of Permitting Services Advisory Committee is set to meet virtually on Microsoft Teams at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. For more information about the DPS Advisory Committee, visit the DPS website or contact Leah Ortiz at leah.ortiz@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Peer Review Program

The Department of Permitting Services now offers a certified Peer Review Program in its Land Development division to accelerate plan review turnaround times. This service is available for reviewing sediment control, stormwater management and public right-of-way projects. For more information about this new program, including an application to become a certified peer reviewer, visit the program’s webpage. A list of certified peer reviewers is also posted on the DPS website.

Wednesday Water Webinars

The University of Maryland Extension Office will hold its next Wednesday Water Webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Got questions about your drinking water quality? This webinar will provide answers to your questions that you submit during registration and will also address other common questions that people ask. Register online.

Take the Survey

The DPS Customer Satisfaction Survey is posted on the website in English and Spanish. Take the survey and let DPS staff know about your permitting experiences. It only takes a few minutes to fill out the survey, and your feedback is important as DPS continuously strives to improve its programs and services!

Stay Connected with DPS

Subscribe to Constructive Comments to receive this online newsletter in your inbox each month. In between issues, follow #MoCoDPS on Montgomery County’s Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) pages for the latest news and information from the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services.  Plus, follow the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Podcast wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts and stay connected and engaged with DPS code officials!