Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 05/09/2024 03:53 PM EDT
May 2024
Schedule Your Free Residential Deck Inspection During Building Safety Month
For the 15th year in a row, the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is providing free residential deck maintenance inspections as part of Building Safety Month activities during the month of May. The free service is limited to the first 250 appointments this year.
To request a deck maintenance inspection by telephone, homeowners should contact the County’s central call system at MC311 or 240-777-0311. Homeowners also can schedule an inspection online by visiting the DPS website at montgomerycountymd.gov/dps and submitting a service request. The form is in the online services queue on the front page of the website. On the description section of the online form, residents should note they are requesting a deck maintenance inspection and include the property address and contact information at the top of the form. The requests cannot be anonymous and must be requested by the homeowner.
“Building safety is our mission 365 days a year and Building Safety Month is a great opportunity to reemphasize the importance of safeguarding our homes inside and out,” said DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan. “A free deck maintenance inspection should take about 20 to 25 minutes. Once on site, an inspector will check the support structure of the deck, fastener conditions, ledger attachment and overall condition of the deck. Because of our inspectors’ workload at this busy time of the year, the program is limited to 250 appointments. Customers will find additional resources about decks and the permitting process on the DPS website, and we are always available to answer questions.”
Those online resources include guidelines about plan submittal; deck maintenance inspection guidelines available in both English and Spanish; a two-minute video with Residential Inspector Jeremy Shupp who provides an overview of a deck inspection and encourages homeowners to always consult a licensed contractor; and, a two-minute video with Fire Code Compliance Inspector Mark Thorn who highlights a commercial building inspection.
DPS’ free deck inspection program does not extend to the city limits of Gaithersburg and Rockville as those municipalities have their own permitting departments and protocols.
DPS is located at 2425 Reedie Drive, seventh floor, in Wheaton. The customer service lobby is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, and customers do not need an appointment to get in-person assistance. For more information about Building Safety Month, visit the DPS website at montgomerycountymd.gov/DPS/BSM2024/index.html.
Building Safety Month Proclamation Ceremony
At an April 30th ceremony at the County Council meeting, Montgomery County leaders proclaimed the month of May as Building Safety Month. Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard, DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan, DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi, DPS division chiefs and other staff attended the ceremony as well as representatives from partner departments, including Fire and Rescue Service, Housing and Community Affairs and Transportation.
Come on by! This year’s Building Safety Month campaign theme is “Mission Possible,” and throughout Building Safety Month an outreach table is set up in the DPS customer service lobby to promote permitting programs and services. You will even find a copy of the County’s Building Safety Month proclamation.
Customers are encouraged to stop by DPS offices to pick-up materials on a variety of topics including building safety, permitting and home improvement projects, the benefits of building permits, careers in code administration and more. The customer service lobby is located on the 7th floor at 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton.
Learn more about Building Safety Month by visiting the DPS website, and join the conversation on social media using #MoCoDPS, #BuildingSafetyMonth2024 and #BuildingSafety365.
ePlans Update Set for May 20, Customer Training Sessions Scheduled
DPS will launch an updated version of its ePlans software that customers and staff use to submit applications and plans electronically on Monday, May 20.
The changes and improvements to this program will occur in phases over the next few months. The first phase will impact applications for fence, public right-of-way, sediment control, sign, stormwater concept, all trade, well, and septic permits.
Prior to the Phase 1 launch, customer training will be offered on Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16. Additional training, post-launch, will be offered on Tuesday, May 21, Wednesday, May 22 and Friday, May 24. Links for these training sessions are posted in the DPS calendar on the front page of the DPS website at montgomerycountymd.gov/dps. Registration is not required. If you would like to attend a session, visit the DPS website calendar on the day of your choice, and simply click on the Microsoft Teams link to join the training session.
In addition, DPS is adding five customer-oriented training videos to the website to help you better navigate the improved system. Topics will include:
Basic Features
Uploading Files
Reviewing and Responding to Comments
Downloading Approved Plans and Documents
Accessing Reports
Customers are encouraged to take advantage of all the training opportunities available to ease the transition from the current to the updated ePlans program.
If you have any questions, email dps.eservices@montgomerycountymd.gov or contact MC 311 at 240-777- 0311.
Energy Summit Recap
DEP Director Jon Monger, Maryland Secretary of the Environment Serena Mcllwain and DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan at the Energy Summit (pictured right).
DPS staff participated at the 11th annual Energy Summit, hosted by the Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), last month at the Silver Spring Civic Building. DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan addressed attendees on day one of the Summit; DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas led several workshops on permitting; and DPS Sustainability, Energy and Mechanical Manager Bryan Bomer provided information about upcoming code updates. At the outreach table, DPS permit technicians John Diaz, Nancy Nguyen, Jorge Rueda, and Marjorie Yoe answered questions and provided permitting information to attendees.
Active Aging Expo
DPS Permitting Manager Tyneisha Thornton-Smith and Permit Technician Keith Pumphrey provided information about the Montgomery County Design for Life Property Tax Credit Program and other permitting programs and services at the Active Aging Expo in the City of Gaithersburg last month. Organizers said about 700 people attended the event!
Wednesday Water Webinar Set for May 15
The University of Maryland Extension Office will hold its next Wednesday Water Webinar at noon Wednesday, May 15. The webinar is titled “Financial Assistance for Septic Systems and Wells,” and will provide information about grants and low interest loans available to qualifying homeowners for repairs to their private well or septic system. Register for the webinar online.
DPS Administrative Services Coordinator Dana Burke and Residential Inspector Francis Mackie attended the Career Fair at Richard Montgomery High School last month and shared information with students about the role of DPS in the community and career opportunities. DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan was also in attendance.
DPS Advisory Committee Meeting
The DPS Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet virtually on Microsoft Teams at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16. For more information about the committee, visit its webpage.
Office Hours and Holiday Closing
The Department of Permitting Services will be closed on Monday, May 27 in recognition of Memorial Day.
The DPS customer service lobby is located on the 7th Floor of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) building at 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton. Office hours are 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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 the most current DPS job opportunities.
