Some of the requirements in the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance include minimum acreage, maximum number of nights per guest, limitations on sanitation facilities and more.
Under the previous zoning law, campgrounds were only permitted in Rural and Residential Estate 2C zones. The amendment to the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance allows overnight stays in certain zones and amends the use standards for campgrounds. The new zoning measure expands campgrounds use to the Agricultural Reserve and Rural Cluster zones on properties that meet the requirements for farming in the zoning ordinance.
If you have questions about the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, contact the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Zoning and Code Compliance team at MC 311 or 240-777-0311.
Fire Safety
County Executive Marc Elrich recently signed Bill 7-24 to ensure landlords of multifamily buildings provide more fire safety information to tenants. The legislation was authored and introduced by County Council Vice President Kate Stewart and was passed last month by the County Council to strengthen tenant protections and to require landlords to notify tenants of fire safety and building maintenance issues.
As part of the legislation, the DPS Fire Code Compliance team is required to develop and make publicly available best practices for establishing an emergency safety plan. Each landlord of a multifamily rental building must submit a proposed emergency safety plan to DPS for approval, and once approved, the plan must be included in every lease agreement.
County leaders and officials, including Council Vice President Stewart, Councilmember Will Jawando, DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan and Fire Code Compliance Manager Patsy Warnick, attended the County’s bill signing ceremony along with advocates for renters’ rights and family members of Melanie Diaz.
Earlier this year, the State passed the Melanie Nicholle Diaz Fire Safety Act (HB 823), which establishes requirements related to the installation of automatic smoke alarms and notices regarding the lack of automatic sprinkler systems in residential rental high-rise buildings.
Special Event Permits
If you are planning a special event that will be open to the public, DPS staff encourages you to contact DPS as soon as possible (30-60 days in advance) to find out if you need a Special Event permit and to ensure you have enough time for a zoning review and any additional permits you may need.
The DPS Special Event permit serves as an organizational guide to ensure events comply with local laws, ordinances and executive regulations. The permit requires event planners to consider and prepare for the safe installation of tents, electrical equipment, stages, traffic management plans and adequate public facilities, such as restrooms.
Carnivals, community festivals, dances, fairs, picnics and recreation activities are examples of activities that may require a Special Event permit. A Special Event permit is required for events in Montgomery County that generate or invite public participation or spectators resulting in an impact on public streets, sidewalks and adjacent private properties. To contact DPS to find out if you need a Special Event permit, call MC 311 or 240-777-0311.
Commercial Building and ePlans Update
DPS is updating its ePlans software workflows in phases to make the permitting process more efficient for customers. To date, the ePlans software has been updated for fence, public right-of-way, residential building, sediment control, sign, stormwater concept and all trade permit applications. In the next few weeks, the commercial building workflow will also be upgraded.
When using the software, customers will note several changes including that they can invite others (or remove them) to a project instead of having to contact DPS for assistance; customers will also note a color-coded dashboard that can list up to 50 projects and will alert them when a task is overdue; new reports detail a project’s status; a new workflow routing slip provides information about how long the project has been with DPS and the applicant; plus, there are helpful hints and videos; and, the update includes the ability to create a discussion to ask questions of DPS staff.
Providing excellent customer service is a top priority of DPS and these updates are designed to help streamline the permitting process. DPS is offering virtual customer training and five ePlans training videos have been posted on the DPS website to provide additional guidance for customers. Look for more online training classes to be posted at the end of the month. If you have any questions, email dps.eservices@montgomerycountymd.gov or contact MC 311 at 240-777- 0311.
ADU Briefing
DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi participated in a County Council Planning, Housing, and Parks (PHP) Committee briefing on July 29 about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) alongside representatives from the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA), AARP and the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO). DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan also attended the briefing.
An ADU is a term used to describe a smaller, independent residential dwelling that shares the same lot as a detached single-family home. ADUs can be internal/interior, attached, or detached. In 2019, the County Council adopted Zoning Text Amendment 19-01, removing barriers for homeowners who want to build ADUs on their properties.
The July 29th PHP Committee presentation by DPS and DHCA focused on ADU regulations, best practices, included an overview of the permitting and licensing process, and summarized existing data. AARP staff focused on the history of ADUs, national trends and how to promote more production. OLO staff attended to answer questions about a report that was released earlier this year.
By the numbers, DPS has issued 265 ADU building permits since 2019 – including only new construction, alterations and additions. According to the data, 84 of those units are in Silver Spring, followed by 34 in Bethesda and 24 in Potomac. DPS did not track ADUs prior to 2019. For more information, watch the briefing video on-demand.
'Recipe for Success' Restaurant Guide
DPS is planning to launch a new permitting process webpage for new restaurant (and food establishment) owners who need permits. In addition, DPS is updating the “Recipe for Success” guide for those who want to open or expand a restaurant in an existing space.
These resources are designed to educate and connect restaurant owners with DPS code officials before the permitting process formally begins to ensure a successful project from start to finish.
One of the main messages of the guide is to remind restaurant owners to contact DPS before buying a property or signing a lease to ensure the proposed use is allowed in that zone. Restaurant owners are also encouraged to schedule a predesign consultation with DPS experts before formally applying for permits.
If you have questions about opening a restaurant or permits that may be needed, contact DPS at MC 311 or 240-777-0311.
Summer Rise Internship Program
DPS recently hosted four high school students as part of the Summer RISE (Reimagining an Innovative Student Experience) Internship Program. These students are rising seniors at John F. Kennedy, Northwood, Sherwood and Wheaton high schools.
During the month of July, the interns accompanied DPS staff on field and fire code compliance inspections, received GIS instruction, learned how to read blueprints, and received an overview of the permitting application process.
The Summer RISE program is for rising Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) juniors and seniors to participate in a career-based learning opportunity related to their field of interest.
The Sign Review Board meets virtually at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14 and Wednesday, Sept. 11. To review meeting agendas and meeting minutes, visit the Board’s webpage or email staff liaison Roger Waterstreet at roger.waterstreet@montgomerycountymd.gov. For information about current vacancies on the Board, visit the County’s website.
Labor Day Holiday
DPS offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2 in recognition of the Labor Day holiday. The office will reopen at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Apply for permits, schedule inspections and submit construction plans online at any time.
DPS is located at 2425 Reedie Drive, Seventh Floor, in Wheaton. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. No appointment is necessary to get in-person assistance. Call MC 311 (240-777-0311) if you have questions or need more information.
