Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 08/01/2025 11:52 AM EDT
August 2025
'Recipe for Success' Program Earns NACo Achievement Award
The National Association of Counties (NACo) recently recognized the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) with a 2025 achievement award for its “Recipe for Success” program in the NACo category of “Community and Economic Development.”
DPS launched the “Recipe for Success” program to better educate and engage restaurant owners about the requirements for opening a food service establishment in Montgomery County. The outreach campaign features a step-by-step online process guide for opening a new restaurant, highlighting the permitting process from start to finish.
Additional resources include a zoning map, a new restaurant webpage for interior alterations, and a detailed guidance document, “Recipe for Success: A Guide for Opening a Restaurant.” The guide includes information about hiring an expert, scheduling a predesign consultation, obtaining a food license, scheduling inspections, and getting an alcohol license. It also includes contact information for County staff, timelines, and fee information to help DPS customers plan their project successfully. The guide is available in English and Spanish on the DPS website and at DPS offices.
Other elements of the “Recipe for Success” program include a DPS podcast episode and ongoing promotional efforts on social media and at outreach events. Read the news release for information about other County departments receiving NACo awards this year.
Cracking Down on Unlicensed Commercial House Parties
The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved Bill 13-25 in July to strengthen licensing requirements, increase penalties, and close loopholes for for-profit and unlicensed residential events, also known as “commercial house parties” in residential neighborhoods.
County officials have received noise, parking, public safety, and traffic congestion complaints stemming from unlicensed for-profit house parties that are open to the public in residential communities. DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi (pictured above) said increasing the fines from $25 to $5,000 should help strengthen the law.
“It’s a serious public safety issue,” Deputy Director Motazedi said at a news conference. “By increasing fines and allowing for multiple violations to be cited per event, Bill 13-25 gives our team meaningful leverage when dealing with unpermitted commercial parties in residential zones, violations of recreation and entertainment use.”
DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas hosts the podcast, and she welcomes Division Chief Catlett for a conversation about commercial building and construction. Their discussion highlights new codes, the review process for commercial building plans, what’s new in the industry, and what improvements to expect in the future. This episode is also available to watch on video.
This is the 28th episode of the DPS podcast. Previous episodes featured permitting information about accessory dwelling units, building safety, eSolar, residential fast track permits, special event permits, use and occupancy certificates, vendor licenses, and more.
Solar Dashboards Track Residential Rooftop Permits
Interested in learning more about the number of residential solar panels going up in Montgomery County this year? Check out the new solar dashboard link on the front page of the DPS website that highlights the number of eSolar and residential rooftop solar permits across the County on a six-month rolling basis.
In July, the number of eSolar permits was outpacing residential rooftop solar permits. In May, they were evenly split 77-77. The dashboard also includes a map that illustrates the locations of eSolar and residential rooftop solar panels around the County. The residential solar dashboard and map are updated daily.
Improving the Development Process for Record Plats
DPS Land Development Division Chief Linda Kobylski announces a new process change for developers and homeowners. According to Kobylski, the Development Review Process workgroup, made up of representatives from the State of Maryland, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and Montgomery County, was tasked with streamlining the development processes within the County.
One challenge identified by the workgroup was reducing the time it takes to plat a property for new construction. Land Development staff, along with the fire marshal and the county attorney, produced and recorded a foundational terms and provisions document for water supply easements. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service requires these water tanks (or cisterns) for properties not served by public water.
“This improvement eliminates the additional time and cost needed to prepare, review, approve, and record individual water tank easements," said Kobylski. "By referencing the existing document on the record plat the whole process is faster, cheaper, and less cumbersome for homeowners and developers."
For more information, call MC 311 or 240-777-0311.
Expedited Permits for Emergency Electrical Repairs
Reminder for homeowners! The DPS residential inspections team will expedite residential permits and inspections for emergency electrical connections following building damage from fire or storms.
If you have questions or need more information, contact the residential inspections team or call MC 311 (240-777-0311).
Wednesday Water Webinar on Pond Management
The University of Maryland Extension Office will hold its next Wednesday Water Webinar at noon Wednesday, Aug. 20, to discuss basic pond management principles and practices to keep ponds healthy. Register for the webinar online.
Summer RISE Students Learn About DPS
DPS hosted four Summer RISE students from Rockville, Sherwood, and Wheaton high schools in June and July. The MCPS students shadowed DPS staff in the office and in the field under the leadership of Administrative Services Coordinator Dana Burke.
The students met internally with DPS leaders and spent time learning from staff in the department’s five divisions (Commercial Building, Customer Support and Outreach, Land Development, Residential Building, Zoning and Code Compliance), and they met with the DPS information technology team. The students also visited construction sites around the County to learn about the work of DPS inspectors in the field,
Looking for a Job?
DPS is hiring! Check out the County’s website for information about current openings and learn about other career opportunities at Montgomery County Government.
Customer Satisfaction Survey
Take the Customer Satisfaction Survey and share information about your experience with the permitting department. It only takes a few minutes to fill out the survey, and your feedback is important as DPS continuously strives to enhance and improve its programs and services!
Office Hours and Holiday Closing
DPS is located at 2425 Reedie Drive, seventh floor, in Wheaton. Office hours are 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. weekdays; no appointment is necessary. The office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1, for the Labor Day holiday. Customers may apply for permits, schedule inspections, request records, and upload construction plans online at any time.
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