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PODCAST

Permitting Services Podcast

Go behind the scenes at the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services and connect with local experts about the permitting process for your commercial and residential projects.

government

All Episodes

22:35

Fire Code Compliance Permits: What's Changed and Why...

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, we spotlight the new online application process for Fire Code Compliance (FCC) permits. Leading the conversation is Gail Lucas, chief of the DPS Customer Support and Outreach division, and FCC Manager Patsy Warnick, who is also the County Fire Marshal. Every commercial building and tenant space in Montgomery County must have an FCC permit issued by DPS to ensure compliance with life safety and fir...

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14:24

DPS Drone Modernizes Inspections

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2025/12/04

This episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast focuses on the department’s new drone, which is modernizing the permitting process by increasing safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability during inspections and training. The “DPS Drone Modernizes Inspections” episode is hosted by Gail Lucas, chief of the DPS Customer Support and Outreach division. Lucas is joined by DPS Land Development Division Chief Linda Kobylski and Field Supervisor Jo...

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17:00

Residential Demolition Permits

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2025/10/31

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) podcast episode, “Residential Demolition Permits,” explores when residential demolition permits are required, how they are defined, and what to expect during the permitting process. DPS Podcast Host Gail Lucas and DPS Plan Reviewer Richard Strouth discuss how DPS determines whether a residential construction project qualifies as a demolition, and how such a designation triggers the requirement to meet current building and energy co...

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19:03

The Pros and Cons of Being Your Own General Contractor

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2025/10/02

This Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode focuses on the pros and cons of serving as your own general contractor when embarking on home renovations or other residential projects. David Burch, DPS residential inspections manager, and DPS Division Chief Gail Lucas, who hosts the podcast, discuss the risks and rewards of doing it yourself. Their conversation covers what homeowners should know before taking on the responsibility of managing a project, and why ...

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25:29

Meet John Catlett: New DPS Commercial Building...

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2025/07/25

Join us for the latest episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, where we introduce John Catlett, the new DPS commercial building division chief. Hosted by Gail Lucas, DPS customer support and outreach division chief, this episode dives into Division Chief Catlett’s vision for excellent customer service, what’s new with commercial building codes and the future of the industry. Tune in to learn about: The latest on the codes and code cycle.&n...

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28:54

Offsite Construction

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2025/06/18

This Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “Offsite Construction,” highlights a local construction project that is primarily being built offsite. DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas, who hosts the podcast, is joined by Chris Allen, who is the assistant to the DPS director, and Joseph Phelan, who is the director of operations at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac. Their conversation notes the advantages of offsite construction,...

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17:47

Building Safety: Fire Department Access

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2025/05/23

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “Building Safety: Fire Department Access,” focuses on the importance of plan review for fire department access at buildings in Montgomery County. DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas hosts the podcast. She is joined by DPS Plan Reviewer Marie LaBaw, who is also a structures specialist, for a discussion about her career path from the fire department to DPS and why ensuring fire department acce...

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19:29

Permits, Pools and Safety

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2025/05/06

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “Permits, Pools, and Safety,” focuses on the permitting process for residential swimming pools and the importance of a pool barrier for safety. DPS Customer Support and Outreach (CSO) Division Chief Gail Lucas hosts the podcast. DPS Residential Manager David Burch joins her for a discussion about when a permit is needed for a residential swimming pool and what kind of barrier is required. Their conversation covers ...

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15:55

Special Events

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2025/03/26

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “Special Events,” focuses on the permitting process for carnivals, fairs, festivals, fireworks displays, sporting events and more. DPS Customer Support and Outreach (CSO) Division Chief Gail Lucas hosts the podcast, and she is joined by DPS Manager Chris Allen for a 15-minute discussion about when a special permit is needed for public events. Their discussion covers how the permitting process works from application...

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21:48

New Codes

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2025/02/25

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “New Codes,” focuses on the new 2021 codes and amendments and how significant these changes are for DPS commercial building customers. The new codes (Executive Regulation 13-24 and Executive Regulation 14-24), with local amendments, become mandatory at DPS on Monday, March 31 and they replace the 2018 International Code Council (ICC) codes and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards. DPS Cus...

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15:01

Water Runoff

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2025/01/21

This Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “Water Runoff,” focuses on what to know about water runoff, especially for homeowners planning an addition or designing a project that may impact the flow of water on their property. DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas (who hosts the podcast) is joined by DPS Water Resources Plan Review Manager Mark Etheridge for a 15-minute conversation about water runoff and the role DPS has when it comes...

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15:11

Recipe for Success: Guidance for Opening a Restaurant

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2024/12/17

This Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “Recipe for Success: Guidance for Opening a Restaurant,” focuses on essential information on navigating the permitting process for opening a restaurant in Montgomery County. DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas (who hosts the podcast) is joined by DPS Land Development Division Chief Linda Kobylski for a 15-minute conversation to help restaurant owners plan ahead. From researching the propert...

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13:30

Fire Pit Safety

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2024/11/22

The newest Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “Fire Pit Safety,” addresses the importance of safety when using a backyard fire pit. DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas, who hosts the podcast, is joined by DPS Fire Code Compliance Program Manager Michael Marchesani for a conversation filled with practical advice and essential tips to know before planning your next social gathering around a backyard fire pit. Fire pits are popular ...

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29:05

A New Direction for Permitting

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2024/10/24

The newest Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “A New Direction for Permitting,” features a discussion with County Executive Marc Elrich about recent improvements to the permitting process, the role of permitting and the County’s Climate Action Plan, how innovation and technology are adding transparency to the permitting process, and the department’s focus on providing excellent customer service. DPS Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan joins DPS Customer Support ...

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13:44

Plans Submission Made Easier

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2024/08/12

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast episode, “Plans Submission Made Easier,” highlights how the department is updating its ePlans software workflows system in phases to make the permitting system more efficient for customers and staff. DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas, who hosts the podcast, is joined by DPS Senior Permitting Specialist Aaron Smith for a discussion about the updates and how these improvements have been received by c...

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17:06

eSolar for Residential Rooftops

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2024/07/11

The 17th episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast features an overview of the new eSolar program for residential rooftops. DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas, who hosts the podcast, is joined by DPS Sustainability, Energy and Mechanical (SEM) Manager Bryan Bomer for a discussion about the eSolar program, including how it works to get solar on your rooftop faster, what projects are eligible, and why you should ask your installer ...

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22:17

Vendor Licenses

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2024/06/18

The 16th episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast features an overview of vendor licenses, including door-to-door, regular route, sidewalk and site-specific. DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas, who hosts the podcast, is joined by DPS Code Compliance Manager Greg Nichols and DPS Permit Technician Jorge Rueda for a discussion about the permitting and zoning requirements for vendor licenses. They discuss common mistakes on applicat...

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20:06

Commercial Building Safety: Codes, Designs, Plans and...

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2024/05/20

Ensuring building safety is a top priority at the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS). The 15th episode of the Permitting Services Podcast focuses on commercial building safety with an emphasis on codes, design, plan review, use and occupancy certificates, and more. DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas and Architectural, Life Safety, and Fire Protection Section Manager Crystal Maddox discuss a wide range of topics about commercial building safety i...

en-us

15:35

Home Improvements and Permits

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2024/04/03

en-us

11:18

GIS Maps

Permitting Services Podcast ·

2024/03/22

en-us

32 results

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