Permitting Services Podcast

In this episode, Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas leads a discussion about Residential Fast Track permits for eligible projects and shares updates about the Apply Online platform. Lucas, who hosts the DPS podcast, is joined by Permitting Manager Crystal Roberts and Plan Reviewer Mark Stup. Their discussion features us...

In this episode, Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast Host Gail Lucas welcomes DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi for a conversation about accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and their growing popularity across the nation. Their discussion covers what homeowners need to know about the permitting and licensing process for an ADU in Montgomery County, Maryland. If you are p...

In this episode, Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast Host Gail Lucas and DPS Fire Code Compliance Manager Patsy Warnick talk about fire code compliance and safety. Their discussion covers what commercial property owners and tenants need to know about fire code compliance permits, inspections and renewals; pending code adoptions; general fire safety information and mor...

In this episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, host Gail Lucas and DPS Plan Reviewer Alex Weintraub discuss the public right-of-way. Their discussion covers what every property owner needs to know about the public right-of-way, including the permitting process, how to know where the right-of-way is, and what can and cannot be placed in the public right-of...

In this episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, host Gail Lucas and DPS Well and Septic Section Manager Heidi Benham discuss septic systems in advance of Septic Smart Week (Sept. 18-22). Their informative discussion includes what every property owner needs to know about their septic system (there are three things!), how important it is to take care of a se...

In this episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas and DPS Code Compliance Section Manager Greg Nichols discuss urban farming (chicken coops), fence permits, surface parking and other code compliance and zoning topics. Got an idea or question for a future podcast? Send an email to dps.podcast@montgom...

In this episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas and DPS Commercial Field Supervisor Chris Allen discuss what you need to know about Use and Occupancy (U & O) certificates before opening a business. Learn why it is important to review the U & O before you sign a lease, what the inspection p...

In this episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas discusses fire safety and more with DPS Commercial Building Chief Rick Merck, who is also the fire marshal. Some of the topics covered include firepit and grilling safety tips; what you need to know about fireworks in Montgomery County; the importanc...

In this episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas talks to DPS Field Supervisor Jeremy Shupp about the permitting and inspections process for decks, including what an inspector looks for when assessing the condition of a deck. Their conversation provides important information for homeowners, especia...

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) launches its first podcast. Your host is DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas, who has worked at the permitting department for 20 years!  DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan joins her in a conversation that covers a variety of topics from his vision for the department to how to know when you need a permit to some of th...