As part of its Building Safety Month campaign, the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services has released a new podcast episode, “Permitting 101: Understanding the Basics,” to educate listeners about when you need permits for residential construction and what to know before applying.
The podcast is hosted by DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas, who discusses the basics of the permitting process with DPS Permitting Manager Crystal Roberts.
“One of the most important takeaways of this podcast is the importance of working with a licensed contractor, and making sure the proper permits are in place for a home project,” said DPS Division Chief Gail Lucas. “Missing these steps can lead to delays, increased costs, and safety risks.”
The episode covers:
- When you need a permit and when you do not.
- Common misconceptions about permits for decks and swimming pools.
- What to know about zoning and setbacks.
- Why permits matter, especially for safety.
- Free predesign consultations.
- How to avoid delays at the beginning of the application process.
The Permitting Services Podcast series is part of the department’s commitment to provide residents with easy-to-understand information about permitting, inspections, and DPS programs and services. Previous episodes have covered accessory dwelling units, eSolar, updated building codes, residential fast-track permits, special event permits, use and occupancy certificates, and vendor licensing.
Residents can subscribe to the podcast on major podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, or watch episodes on the County’s YouTube channel. The program also airs on County Cable Montgomery at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Listeners who have questions or suggestions for future DPS Podcast episodes can email dps.podcast@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Montgomery County recognizes Building Safety Month in May. This year’s campaign theme is “Built to Last.” DPS is hosting a Residential Permitting Open House from 4:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, in the auditorium at the Isiah Leggett Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St., in Rockville. Residents are encouraged to attend this Building Safety Month event to meet DPS staff and our partners, and get their permitting questions answered.
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DPS is located at 2425 Reedie Drive, 7th floor, in Wheaton. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. No appointment is required. Residents can stay informed by subscribing to the monthly “Constructive Comments” newsletter and visiting the DPS website for the latest news and information. If you have questions about building permits and inspections, contact MC 311 online or dial 311 when calling from within the County, or 240-777-0311 when calling from outside the County.
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Media Contact: Sonya Burke, 240-855-9813, sonyaburke@montgomerycountymd.gov
Read the original article at mcdps