In this issue:
The Business Development Section (BDS) was established to support the growth of businesses in Prince George’s County by providing guidance and assistance to entrepreneurs and established business owners in navigating the permitting and licensing processes. Since that time, the BDS has helped numerous businesses open their doors. The section coordinates with agency personnel to facilitate the completion of paperwork and document review. The team educates entrepreneurs about DPIE requirements and procedures and liaises between entrepreneurs, DPIE divisions and other government agencies. For consultations, business customers can email dpiebizdev@co.pg.md.us. The DPIE Connect Program also allows small businesses to have a mini-preliminary design review meeting at no cost. For more information on this program and access to the meeting request form, click the DPIE Connect Program link.
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BDS supports businesses in the permitting and licensing process on a daily basis. With the assistance of BDS, several businesses have opened in 2023:
 The ribbon cutting at Refreshing Springs Day Spa, a minority-owned business that provides self-care services.
The BDS Section recently assisted Refreshing Springs Day Spa, located at 9450 Marlboro Pike, Suite #16, Upper Marlboro, in navigating the plan review process requirements. Refreshing Springs Day Spa opened its doors to the public with a grand opening in January 2023. Owner Luci Bass left a 30-year career in banking, during the “Great Resignation” to open Refreshing Springs Day Spa.
“Refreshing Springs Day Spa is a self-funded, minority owned self-care center. My goal is to provide self-care services to clients in Prince George’s County (where I also reside), and surrounding communities,” said Owner Luci Bass. Refreshing offers esthetician services and massage therapy. Appointments can be booked online. For more information, visit Refreshing Springs Day Spa.
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 Envy Us Beauty Supply ribbon cutting ceremony in Fort Washington marks the event of a second location for the store.
After assisting with the use and occupancy permitting process, Envy Us Beauty Supply opened its second location at 10729 Indian Head Highway, Fort Washington, in February 2023. Owner Ms. Aesha Ray owns another location in Alexandria, Va. During COVID-19, Ms. Ray, undeterred, and to avoid a shut-down, pivoted her business model to online ordering, phone and mail orders and nationwide shipping. "I am beyond thrilled to bring Envy Us Beauty Supply to Ft. Washington. It's not just about providing beauty products; it's about creating a welcoming space where women can feel empowered and supported. We have come a long way since our beginnings in Alexandria, and I am incredibly grateful to our loyal customers for making this expansion possible,” said Ray. Customers can visit the Fort Washington store and find additional information at www.envyusbeautysupply.com.
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 Blue Waters Caribbean and Seafood Grill is an upscale, contemporary restaurant that specializes in authentic Caribbean and seafood cuisines.
The BDS assisted Blue Waters, located at 6349 Old Branch Avenue, Temple Hills, in navigating plan review requirements and through the final steps to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. Opening in 2023, Blue Waters specializes in authentic Caribbean and Seafood cuisines. They offer an expansive menu which includes family island favorites, chef-created specialties, and seafood fresh from the dock along with exclusive wine, spirits, and beer. Blue Water states their “dishes provide organic, non-genetically modified, health-conscious options for any foodie connoisseur.” For more information, visit Blue Waters (bluewaterscsgrill.com).
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 Endless, an exclusive sneakers and clothing store, opened in Hyattsville with assistance from DPIE's BDS team.
With BDS's assistance in navigating the use and occupancy process and municipality requirements, Endless Kicks opened in April 2023, at the Prince George’s Plaza Mall in Hyattsville. Endless Kicks sells shoes, clothing and other name brand attire. Owners Orlando Religion and business partner Maquis Stone-Dowdy started selling used shoes on Instagram and at sneaker events and used the earned money to buy new shoes. "With our online followers growing, continuing to sell online, and placing our new shoes in stores on commission, we became successful sneaker sellers, which allowed us to open two stores – DreamSoles at Dulles Town Center and Endless at Prince George’s Plaza Mall," said Maquis Stone-Dowdy. For more information on Endless Kicks, visit Endless.PGM.com.
Depending on the type and complexity of a project, DPIE has different timelines. Customers can find the various timelines listed below on DPIE’s website.
Tenant Fit-Out Projects
For tenant fit-out projects, the review time period will be approximately 50 days. See the "Tenant Fit-Outs Guide" for helpful information.
Building Plan Review Has Target Timelines by Job Type
The Job Classificaton System chart provides timeline expectations for your permit application. Job classifications set target timeframes for DPIE reviews — based on square footage, scope, and use, not project valuation. Reviews by other agencies may take additional time. All plumbing and gas related work MUST be reviewed and approved by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). If your property is in a Historic District, you must contact the agency directly to confirm permit application requirements. Properties that are located on private well or sewage disposal systems should contact the Health Department at 301-883-7681.
Site/Road Plan Review Has Typical Timeframes by Case Type
The Site/Road Plan Review Division reviews and approves site and roadway plans for proposed site development and road improvement projects located within rights-of-way and on private property. The Typical Timeframes for Site/Road Reviews chart provides estimates for the length of a review cycle and the length of process from filing to issuance of a permit based on the case type of a project.
ePlan Digital Processing of Submissions
The ePlan (ProjectDox software) process is an online system for processing digital plan submissions. The ePlan Team manages and assists applicants with the ePlan process. Depending on the scope of work, a project may be reviewed by several agencies both inside and outside of DPIE prior to permit issuance. To understand the ePlan review process of your project, see DPIE's charts for residential, commercial and third-party/peer review building permit workflows.
 
Permit Status Can Be Reviewed in ePlan
Applicants and Business Owners can check the status of the permits by logging into ePlan (ProjectDox software). To receive ePlan updates regularly, business owners should request their design professionals and contractors to add them with VIEW ONLY privileges. For more information on what reports to review for building permit status, visit DPIE's Permit Status web page.
Owner Signature No Longer Needed
In lieu of a letter of permission (previously, a copy of the signed lease agreement between tenant/owner or letter of authorization was required) from the owner/landlord, applicants can now certify and attest that they are authorized to submit an application for the permit and that all statements on the application are true and complete.
 Food Truck Hubs Have Been Eliminated in Prince George’s County
Food trucks, or mobile food unit businesses, will no longer be restricted to operating in food truck hubs in Prince George’s County. DPIE no longer will issue food truck hub licenses, however the County Department of Health still requires licensure. For questions regarding FOOD SERVICE applications, including food trucks, contact 301-883-7690 or email FoodProtectionProgram@co.pg.md.us. Applications can be submitted in Momentum Online Services. To review the County regulations, read the Municode Sec. 5-193. - Food Service Facility - Mobile Unit.
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 Join Us for a Free Instructional Presentation Every Month of Summer!
Each month of the summer, BDS is featuring the following webinars on the permitting and licensing process in Prince George’s County. Click on Upcoming Trainings/Webinars for more information or one of the following links to register:
Email dpiebizdev@co.pg.md.us for an invitation. The class is limited to 50 people.
ICYMI
Over the last year, the BDS has conducted several webinars and prepared PowerPoint presentations for the business community on a variety of DPIE processes. These include Building and Use and Occupancy Permits, Inspections, Special Events, Business Licensing, and more. Customers may access the BDS presentations here.
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