THE DEPARTMENT OF PERMITTING SERVICES

The Department of Permitting Services (DPS) was created on August 1, 1996. Its mission is to provide the highest quality of customer service while insuring compliance with Montgomery County development and construction standards. The Director, Carla Reid, and DPS staff hope that the information in the DPS web pages will make permits, certificates and licenses issued by DPS much easier to obtain and the process more easily understood.

We have also included other services offered by DPS that are related to the permitting process as well as phone numbers and e-mail addresses for all services.

Information on the DPS web pages will be updated to reflect the latest changes in laws, regulations, fees and DPS procedures.

OTHER AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

This DPS web pages focus on services provided by DPS. However, there are many other agencies and departments involved in approving and reviewing applications prior to DPS’s issuing permits, licenses, and/or certificates, such as:

• Dept. of Public Works and Transportation
• Dept. of Fire and Rescue Services
• Office of the County Attorney
• Dept. of Environmental Protection
• Dept. of Finance
• Board of Appeals

• Utility Companies
• State Highway Administration
• WSSC
• Assessments Office
• USDA, Soil Conservation District
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
• Historical Preservation Section and Commission

THE ROLE OF BOARDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Two Executive Boards are assigned to DPS. Board members are appointed by the County Executive and DPS provides administrative support. The Boards and their roles are:

The Board of Electrical Examiners advises the Director of DPS on the issuance of licenses for journeyman electricians, master electricians, and master electricians limited; and develops, administers, and grades examinations for these licenses.

The Sign Review Board reviews applications for Sign Permits and makes recommendations to the Director as to whether or not a proposed sign complies with the requirements. The Sign Review Board also grants variances where strict application of the sign regulations would result in peculiar and unusual difficulties to, or exceptional or undue hardship upon, the owner of the property or owner of such sign.

DPS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Committee must advise the Department of Permitting Services on the performance of its functions and recommend to the Director, the Executive, and the Council any steps necessary to improve the Department’s performance.