Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 06/10/2026 03:40 PM EDT
June 2026
DPS Fees to Increase Beginning July 1
When the new 2027 fiscal year begins on July 1, the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) will implement a 15 percent increase to its permitting and licensing fees.
This marks the first fee adjustment in seven years.
The department’s FY27 operating budget of more than $50 million supports 255 full-time employees, including one newly added position on the Fire Code Compliance team to review Emergency Safety Plans for multifamily buildings.
Customers can find detailed information about all DPS fees, including commercial, electrical, fire code compliance, fire protection, mechanical, residential, right‑of‑way, sediment control, stormwater management, well/septic, and zoning, in the “fees” section of the green navigation bar on the DPS website. Current fees will be updated before the new fiscal year begins on Wednesday, July 1.
For questions about DPS fees, call MC 311 or 240‑777‑0311.
DPS Launches Dashboard for Tracking New Housing Units
DPS has unveiled a new Housing Units Permitting Dashboard that tracks the number of new housing units authorized for construction since 2019.
The data includes a variety of buildings, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), single-family, multi-family, and townhouses, categorized by calendar year. The new dashboard is updated monthly and is posted on the front page of the DPS website at montgomerycountymd.gov/dps.
“We continue to get requests for housing permitting data from stakeholders in the County, and we wanted to make it readily available,” said DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan. “This is the third permitting dashboard we have added to the DPS website. We also have dashboards for permit issuance and plan review, as well as for residential rooftop solar and eSolar permits. We are firmly committed to the concept of an open and transparent government, so it’s imperative that we make our data accessible.”
The dashboard also includes a Frequently Asked Questions and answers section.
'Building the Future: Construction Trades and the Next Generation' Podcast Episode
In the latest episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, host Gail Lucas, DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan, and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Construction Trades Supervisor Steve Boden discuss a program that introduces and prepares high school students for careers in construction trades, including carpentry, electrical, HVAC, masonry, plumbing, principles of architecture, and CAD design. Tune in to learn about the program, the house the students are building, and how DPS is involved!
Previous DPS Podcast episodes covered accessory dwelling units, eSolar, new codes, residential fast-track permits, outdoor projects, special event permits, use and occupancy certificates, vendor licenses, and more.
Throughout May, the Department of Permitting Services celebrated Building Safety Month with a full slate of activities designed to highlight the importance of safe construction, informed homeowners, and resilient communities. Under this year’s theme, “Built to Last,” DPS engaged residents and contractors through hands‑on events, educational outreach, and community partnerships.
DPS inspectors scheduled more than 300 deck inspections as part of the annual Residential Deck Maintenance Inspection program to help homeowners identify structural concerns and reinforce safe outdoor living spaces ahead of summer.
The department and its partners also welcomed residents to a Residential Permitting Open House, offering one‑on‑one guidance, demonstrations, and resources to help clarify and make the permitting process more accessible. We want to thank those partners who participated in this event, including the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Office of Consumer Protection, WSSC Water, and the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville.
In addition, DPS released three new podcast episodes focused on timely and practical building topics: “Decks, Patios and Outdoor Projects,” “Permitting 101: Understanding the Basics,” and “Building the Future: Construction Trades and the Next Generation.”
Throughout the month, visitors to the DPS lobby enjoyed ongoing educational displays and materials that provided tips, code information, and project guidance to support safe construction practices year‑round.
DPS also expanded its digital engagement with a series of social media posts and campaign videos, designed to inform, and connect with residents across multiple platforms.
Together, these efforts reinforce DPS’s commitment to building safety, sustainability and community education.
Fireworks Safety and Permitting Info
In Montgomery County, operators of professional fireworks displays must obtain permits from DPS to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and standards and to protect the public’s safety. Only licensed professionals are allowed to display or discharge fireworks.
Montgomery County Fire Marshal Patsy Warnick reminds residents that all consumer fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal to use in Montgomery County. According to Fire Marshal Warnick, a list of public displays with permits will be posted on the DPS website before the July 4 holiday.
For information about applying for permits for professional displays, visit the DPS website.
New Committee Member
The DPS Advisory Committee welcomed new member Irina Norvell at its May meeting.
Visit the Committee webpage for meeting agendas, membership info, minutes, and more.
DPS Attends Agricultural Training Session
DPS staff from the Zoning, Land Development, and Commercial Building divisions participated in an agricultural training session earlier this spring at the Office of Agriculture in Derwood. DPS's participation highlights its commitment to strengthening collaboration and expanding staff knowledge across key operational areas.
The program featured three presenters: Kelly Nichols, University of Maryland Extension, Montgomery County agricultural agent; Natalia Salazar, Montgomery County Office of Agriculture, business development specialist; and Mike Scheffel, Montgomery County Office of Agriculture, director.
The informative presentations covered the agricultural history of Montgomery County, the challenges of processing and distributing agricultural products, and the narrow profit margins farmers face. Attendees learned that Montgomery County was once home to more than 500 dairy farms. The event was interactive, allowing staff to ask questions and hear insights from guest farmers.
Members of the farming community also shared their experiences, highlighting challenges related to operational costs, weather‑related impacts, and regulatory requirements. Speakers included Robert Butts, owner of Waredaca Brewing Company; Lori Lawson, owner of Wyndham Oaks, an equestrian operation; and Randy Stabler of Pleasant Valley Farm.
DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan attended the training alongside division chiefs Chris Allen, Linda Kobylski, and Victor Salazar. Additional DPS staff in attendance included Greg Nichols and Patricia Wolford from the Zoning and Code Compliance division, Crystal Maddox, Harvey Middleton, Chris Pittman, Dan Golden, Waseem Khan, Sunil Manocha, and Scott Brister from the Commercial Building division.
DPS Provides Outreach Across the County
In May, DPS continued its commitment to community engagement with outreach efforts at the Active Aging Expo in Gaithersburg, and at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center alongside Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. These tabling events provided valuable opportunities for DPS staff to connect with residents, answer general permitting questions, and share resources about permitting programs and services.
A special focus of this outreach is the Design for Life program, a property tax credit program to help homeowners with making their home more universally accessible. Residents were able to learn about the program’s benefits, available incentives, and how to get started. In June, DPS outreach staff will attend the Health and Wellness Expo at Leisure World.
For more information about upcoming events and meetings, visit the DPS calendar on the front page of the DPS website.
Office Hours and Holiday Closings
DPS is located at 2425 Reedie Drive, 7th Floor, in Wheaton. Office hours are 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. weekdays, no appointment necessary.
The office will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth and on Friday, July 3, for the Independence Day holiday. Apply for permits and submit construction plans online at any time.
Employment Opportunities at DPS
DPS is hiring permit technicians, inspectors, and more. Consider a rewarding job as a building safety professional.
Check out the Office of Human Resources online job board for details about these positions and learn more about other career opportunities at DPS and Montgomery County Government.
