Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 03/18/2026 08:11 AM EDT
March 2026
What to Know About Emergency Safety Plans for Multifamily Rental Apartment Buildings
The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is now reviewing emergency safety plans (ESP) for multifamily rental apartment buildings as part of the Fire Code Compliance (FCC) permit process.
“All multifamily rental apartment building owners or operators are required to submit an ESP as part of their FCC permit,” said County Fire Marshal Patsy Warnick, who is also the DPS FCC manager. “We define ‘multifamily’ as buildings with three or more dwelling units. An FCC permit ensures adherence to safety standards and is required for all commercial buildings and tenant spaces.”
To help applicants meet the new ESP requirement, the DPS website offers several resources, including a best practices guide and a customizable template. Applicants can also access an overview, a step-by-step process guide, and a list of frequently asked questions and answers.
Additional information about Emergency Safety Plans is available in the County’s news release and in the latest DPS podcast episode.
Stakeholders Forum Spotlights DPS Progress, Innovations, and Continuous Improvement
DPS welcomed attendees to its annual Stakeholders Forum on March 3 in Wheaton, where staff shared updates on major initiatives, highlighted key performance achievements, outlined future priorities, and invited participants to provide feedback.
The forum brought together a broad cross-section of the permitting community, including architects and government officials, contractors, homeowners, land-use attorneys, permit expediters, and other industry professionals.
In opening remarks, County Executive Marc Elrich emphasized the importance of consistency, predictability, and transparency in the permitting process.
During his “State of Permitting” presentation, Director Sabbakhan highlighted the department’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation as it works toward its goal of becoming a “world‑class permitting department.”
Among the improvements he shared were the status of a new permitting system, a five-year strategic plan, updated permitting dashboards that track turnaround times, new GIS mapping tools that increase transparency about permitting activity across the County, and the addition of a drone for training and land development inspections. He also noted several customer-focused enhancements, including the DPS Customer Bill of Rights and the launch of the DPS podcast to keep customers informed.
This year’s forum also featured outreach tables staffed by each DPS division and included updates on permitting trends, the energy code, fire code changes, accessory dwelling units, Montgomery Planning initiatives and processes, and a presentation by WSSC Water.
During his "By the Numbers" presentation, DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi noted a key improvement for commercial construction and commercial alteration permits when comparing 2024 and 2025 data.
"When you look at the numbers, the number of permits went up, but our review time decreased," said Deputy Director Motazedi. "This is kudos to the staff, because we know these are businesses that they want to open as soon as they can."
The event concluded with a panel discussion on the role of permitting in economic development, followed by an audience question‑and‑answer session. The panel discussion included Montgomery Planning Director Jason Sartori, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation Director Laurie Boyer Babb, Maryland Building Industry Association CEO Lori Graf, DPS Director Sabbakhan, and attorney Stacy Silber, who served as moderator.
"We are grateful for the input we get from our DPS stakeholders and thank everyone who attended for participating,” said DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan. “We are planning a second forum in May for County residents,” he announced.
Spring Into Home Improvements with New Design for Life Accessibility Features
Spring is in the air, and many homeowners are gearing up for renovation and repair projects. If you’re planning updates, it’s a great time to explore Montgomery County’s newly expanded Design for Life program, which supports accessibility upgrades that help homes remain safe, comfortable, and functional for all ages and abilities.
The County recently added new accessible design features, including lever-style door handles, chair-height toilets, and improved switch and outlet placement, which may qualify for a property tax credit when installed in your primary residence.
For details on all qualifying features and how to apply, visit the Design for Life section of the DPS website.
Montgomery County Prepares for Building Safety Month
Building Safety Month is an international awareness campaign held each May with a focus on promoting safe, resilient, and sustainable structures.
Throughout the month of May, the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) will offer a series of local events and activities, including the popular residential deck maintenance inspection program and a forum where residents can get answers to their permitting questions. More details will be available soon on the DPS website.
This year’s campaign theme, “Built to Last,” highlights the importance of durability, preparedness, and community resilience. Weekly topics include Safe Homes, Strong Communities (May 1–10); Voices of the Built Environment (May 11–17); Prepared to Protect (May 18–24); and Communities Without Limits (May 25–31).
Permitting Advisory Committee Meets on March 19
The Permitting Services Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet next on Thursday, March 19. For more information about the committee's meetings, including agendas and minutes, visit the DPS website.
Sign Review Board Meets April 8
The Montgomery County Sign Review Board meets virtually on Microsoft Teams at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 8. Visit the DPS website for more information about the Sign Review Board or email staff liaison Roger Waterstreet at roger.waterstreet@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Women's History Month
Montgomery County Government is recognizing County employees, including DPS staff, during the month of March as part of its Women’s History Month social media campaign. Follow along on the County’s Facebook and X social media pages.
Out and About: Career Day
DPS Manager Alex Bernal recently attended a Montgomery County Public Schools Career Day event at Albert Einstein High School (AEHS) in Kensington, where he shared information about careers in building code enforcement and permitting. It was a meaningful experience for Manager Bernal, who graduated from AEHS in the 1990s. Several other DPS employees, including Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan, participated in a similar Career Day event at Northwood High School.
The DPS outreach team is dedicated to connecting with communities and organizations across Montgomery County, and to share resources to help simplify the permitting process for customers.
Visit the DPS calendar on the DPS website's homepage to stay connected with upcoming outreach activities. On March 19, the outreach team will be attending the Maryland Women Business Center’s EmpowHer conference at the Universities at Shady Grove.
If you would like DPS staff to attend an upcoming event, send an email to Community Outreach Manager Sonya Burke at sonya.burke@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-6272.
Work at DPS
Join the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services team! Consider a rewarding career at the permitting department, where safety, sustainability, and delivering excellent customer service are top priorities.
Check out the County’s website for the latest information about DPS job openings, and apply today!
Office Hours and Location
The DPS Customer Service Lobby is located on the 7th floor at 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, and office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday–Friday. No appointment is needed.
You can apply for permits, schedule inspections, request records, or file property complaints online anytime. For more details, visit the DPS website.
