Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 05/07/2025 03:20 PM EDT
May 2025
Schedule a Free Residential Deck Inspection in May
Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) inspectors will be providing free residential deck maintenance inspections during the month of May as part of the County’s annual “Building Safety Month” outreach campaign. The deck inspection program is limited to 300 appointments.
Recognized throughout May, “Building Safety Month” is an international campaign to raise awareness about building safety and the importance of adopting modern and regularly updated building codes. This year’s campaign theme is “Game On!”
“It typically takes DPS inspectors less than 30 minutes to check the overall condition of a deck,” said DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan. “They are looking at the support system of the deck, fasteners and the ledger attachment. Most collapses happen at the ledger-to-house connection. Now is a good time to examine the overall condition of your deck. If the deck is not self-supported, the first place to look is at the ledger connection. We highly encourage homeowners to take advantage of this free residential deck inspection service and to stay connected with DPS when it comes to building safety. We recently updated our building and fire codes, and safety is always our top priority.”
In addition to the free deck maintenance inspection program, DPS provides building safety information and resources on its website, including a deck maintenance checklist and a deck inspection video.
To schedule a deck inspection, contact MC 311 (240-777-0311) and submit an online service request. Homeowners should note they are requesting a deck maintenance inspection and include the property address and contact information at the top of the online form. For more information, visit the “Building Safety Month” webpage.
Montgomery County Recognizes 'Building Safety Month'
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council recognized the month of May as "Building Safety Month" at a joint proclamation ceremony on April 29 with the Department of Permitting Services. Local leaders noted the importance of ensuring the built environment represents the County’s modern building codes and standards to protect us in the buildings where we live, learn, work and play. DPS was joined at the ceremony by its building safety partners including Fire and Rescue Service, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and the Department of Transportation. View more photos from the event on the County's website.
Building Safety Month: 'Game On!"
DPS customers are invited to stop by the outreach table in the customer service lobby to learn more about building safety and DPS. The colorful spin-the-wheel activity is designed to engage customers with questions and answers about codes and permits. For more information about the five week campaign, visit the "Building Safety Month" webpage.
'Montgomery Al Dia' Radio Show Promotes Building Safety
DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan and Residential Inspector Bernard Marra provided information about building safety and the DPS residential deck maintenance inspection program on a recent episode of Montgomery Al Dia, the County’s Spanish-language radio show. Director Sabbakhan noted that safety is the department’s top priority. “We are here to make the County safer,” said Director Sabbakhan. If you missed the show, watch the interview on YouTube.
Meet the New DPS Commercial Building Chief
DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi announces John Catlett as the new DPS Commercial Building Division Chief.
Division Chief Catlett joined DPS in April and manages the commercial building team. Utilizing his expertise in building and fire code administration, he is focused on delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring public safety through safe and compliant construction practices. Before joining DPS, he served as a building official in three Virginia localities after leaving the fire service, and retiring as the director of the Department of Code Administration for the City of Alexandria. While working in Alexandria, he established the multi-agency permitting center, Small Business and Residential Project Office, the Alexandria Leadership Circle, and was an instructor for the Alexandria Leadership Academy in change management and developing leadership at all levels in government.
A past board president and former director of the Virginia Building and Code Official Association, Division Chief Catlett is a certified instructor for the Jack Proctor Virginia Building Code Academy.
After retirement, he worked for the American Wood Council coordinating their efforts with the International Code Council (ICC) Tall Wood Ad Hoc Committee and several federal partners conducting fire testing. This led to building and fire code approval for mass timber. He has served on several ICC and National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) national code development committees, numerous ICC oversight and ad hoc committees, and was appointed to the Virginia Building Code Academy Oversight Committee where he served as the first chairman.
He has consulted for national clients and for several localities around the country on permitting/inspection processes and procedures, process reforms, building high performing teams, and improving customer services. Catlett is certified as an ICC Master Code Professional.
'Permits, Pools, and Safety' Podcast Episode
The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “Permits, Pools, and Safety,” focuses on the permitting process for residential swimming pools and the importance of a pool barrier for safety. This is the 25th episode of the DPS Podcast.
DPS Customer Support and Outreach (CSO) Division Chief Gail Lucas hosts the podcast and DPS Residential Manager David Burch joins her to discuss when a permit is needed for a residential swimming pool, what kind of barrier is required, and how a barrier is defined. Their conversation covers how the permitting process works from applying for a building and electrical permit, to the number of inspections needed, and the role of zoning when locating a swimming pool on your property. For more information about the permitting process for residential pools, visit the DPS website.
DPS and the Transmission Facilities Coordination Group (TFCG or Tower Committee) are announcing important changes in the way telecommunication facilities and antenna installation requests are handled to streamline the permitting process and make it more transparent, and timely.
Beginning Tuesday, July 1, carriers or their designee, will only submit a commercial building permit application via DPS eServices. This single application and associated permit number will incorporate reviews for both the TFCG and the DPS building permit. As such, all plan submittal requirements, including those for the TFCG will be uploaded and reviewed using the DPS ePlans program.
Associated fees required for both the TFCG and DPS will be assessed and added to the commercial building permit and will be paid online via credit card or eCheck.
Filing fees for both agencies are non-refundable.
Once the zoning review is approved, the TFCG process and DPS plan reviews will be performed concurrently, and when all reviews and other requirements are satisfied, the permit will be issued.
The Transmission Facilities Coordination Group is a coordinating committee comprised of land owning and land use members that are responsible for the initial review for radio and telecommunication carrier applications and make recommendations concerning the installation of radio and telecommunication infrastructure in Montgomery County.
If you have additional questions, contact DPS Land Development Division Chief Linda Kobylski and Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS) Manager Marjorie Williams.
Learn More About Permitting: Outreach Opportunities
DPS Permit Technician Marlany Gomez provides information about DPS at the Active Aging Expo in Gaithersburg earlier this month.
DPS staff are committed to providing information and resources about the department’s programs and services at events around the County.
If you would like to schedule outreach at your organization’s next meeting or event, email DPS Community Outreach Manager Sonya Burke at sonya.burke@montgomerycountymd.gov and include any topics you would like DPS to cover. For more information, call 240.777.6272.
The Department of Permitting Services Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet virtually at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15. Visit the Committee’s webpage for more information.
Water Table Testing Season Closed
The water table testing season in Montgomery County remains closed. Results from these tests are important to determine how septic systems will be designed so that they will function properly in all seasons. The testing results determine the size and type of septic system that can be installed on a specific property.
“If precipitation accumulation over the remainder of the calendar year results in a sustained period of seasonally high-water table levels, then DPS will open the wet season,” said DPS Well and Septic Manager Heidi Benham in a memo posted on the DPS website.
If that happens, she said, applicants would be notified by email and an update would be posted on the DPS website. According to Benham, there were dozens of applicants this year.
Stormwater Management Webinar Scheduled for May 21
Learn about ways to manage stormwater at your home and community. The University of Maryland Extension Office will hold its Wednesday Water Webinar about stormwater management at noon Wednesday, May 21. Stormwater runoff originates when water flows over the ground typically when it rains.
DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan addressed attendees on the first day of the Montgomery County Energy Summit last month in Silver Spring.
Highlighting the recent code adoption and alignment with the County's climate goals and legislation, Director Sabbakhan also talked about the latest outreach activities, the status of streamlining efforts, new technology, and "Building Safety Month."
More than 320 people attended the Energy Summit, hosted by the Department of Environmental Protection, and included 23 breakout sessions.
DPS managers Bryan Bomer, Matthew Glick, TyNeisha Thornton-Smith, and several other DPS employees attended, provided information, and answered questions about DPS programs and services.
Office Hours and Holiday Closing
DPS is located in the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) office building at 2425 Reedie Drive, seventh floor, in Wheaton. Office hours are 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. weekdays, no appointment necessary. Be sure and check out the outreach table to learn more about the importance of building safety!
DPS offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.
Career Opportunities at DPS
Are you looking for a new job? The Department of Permitting Services is hiring! Consider a rewarding career at DPS as a code official.
