New Episode Explores How Dashboards Help Customers Navigate the Permitting Process
The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has released a new podcast episode, “Permitting Dashboards,” highlighting how permitting dashboards increase transparency and provide greater public access to data.
The Permitting Dashboard tracks turnaround times for plan review and permit issuance, including each stage of the review process. The information is updated daily and shows review times for DPS, applicants, and other agencies.
The 15-minute episode is hosted by DPS Division Chief Gail Lucas and features DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi and DPS Data and Performance Manager Juliana de Souza. They discuss the dashboards and the data they provide to help customers better understand the permitting process.
“The Permitting Dashboard was created to bring accountability, transparency, and predictability to the permitting process at DPS,” said Deputy Director Motazedi. “The dashboard helps our customers plan and prepare so they know how much time it takes to get a building permit.”
The Permitting Dashboard includes eight tabs and a flowchart outlining the permitting process. It provides residential and commercial customers with information to help them plan and prepare, while also helping DPS staff track trends and monitor performance. The dashboard shows the number of permits issued and the average time to issue that permit type.
Earlier this year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) recognized the DPS Permitting Dashboard with an Achievement Award in the civic education and public information category.
Since the original dashboard was launched, DPS has added two dashboards that track eSolar and residential rooftop solar permits, as well as new housing units authorized for construction. All DPS dashboards are located on the front page of the DPS website.
The new DPS Podcast episode is available to listen to on the DPS website, the County’s YouTube channel, and major podcast platforms. The program also airs on County Cable Montgomery at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesdays. Listeners with questions or ideas for future DPS Podcast episodes should email dps.podcast@montgomerycountymd.gov.
DPS offices are located at 2425 Reedie Drive, Seventh Floor, in Wheaton. The customer service lobby is open from 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. weekdays, and no appointment is necessary. For questions, call MC311 or 240-777-0311. For online information about permits and inspections, visit the DPS website.
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Read the original article at mcdps
