Montgomery County Maryland Operating Budget

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Mission Statement

The Department of Permitting Services' (DPS) primary mission is to ensure the health, safety, sustainability and economic vitality of residents, businesses, communities and the built environment in Montgomery County. This is accomplished by accurate, consistent and timely review and issuance of submittal documents and permits and extensive outreach. DPS conducts prompt and thorough inspections for residential, commercial, land development, zoning and code compliance and responds to service requests and emergencies.

Budget Overview

The total recommended FY26 Operating Budget for the Department of Permitting Services is $48,581,133, an increase of $2,921,578 or 6.40 percent from the FY25 Approved Budget of $45,659,555. Personnel Costs comprise 80.52 percent of the budget for 247 full-time position(s) and no part-time position(s), and a total of 255.03 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 19.48 percent of the FY26 budget.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

Easier Commutes
A Greener County
Effective, Sustainable Government
A Growing Economy

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY25 estimates reflect funding based on the FY25 approved budget. The FY26 and FY27 figures are performance targets based on the FY26 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY27.

The department combines department and applicant time components when measuring "total time to issue a permit." These times may be impacted by satisfaction of related preconditions such as sediment control submissions and approvals and outside agency approvals.

Initiatives

The Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has initiated the process of creating a five-year strategic plan with a consultant. The plan will focus on continuous improvement of the department over the next several years in the areas of high performance, technology, data, process streamlining, sustainability, organizational alignment, exceptional customer service, communication, and other key focus areas. The goal is to begin plan implementation in early FY26.
Three new DPS positions, including a Program Manager II and a Senior Permitting Services Specialist in the Commercial Building Construction Division, and an Administrative Specialist II in the Director's Office for Outreach, will enhance the workflow tasks within the plan review process of various permits and improve the turnaround time on plan reviews for small businesses, and enhance engagement with residents and the business community.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

Well and Septic applications can now be submitted, paid, and reviewed electronically reducing the number of visits and/or mail deliveries to DPS. It is mandatory that any legal document that requires recordation be submitted and paid electronically to DPS via Simplifile. Nearly 200 documents have been recorded since its inception in late 2023 resulting in faster permit issuance and a reduction in trips to/from DPS and the courthouse. Since DPS executes the submission, the department can be confident the documents in Land Records are accurate.
The third-party e-solar program is designed to alleviate the workload for the commercial electrical review team who assists the residential plan review team. By FY26, the department aims to have 40% of eligible projects utilize e-solar.

Program Descriptions

Land Development

The Land Development Division is responsible for ensuring the protection of the County's land and water resources, the protection of the environment, and the safety of residents and businesses through its engineering and inspection functions related to storm water management; sediment control; floodplain management; special protection areas; storm drain design...

Program Performance Measures	Actual FY23	Actual FY24	Estimated FY25	Target FY26	Target FY27
Total number of public right of way permits issued (roadside trees, driveways, plats, et al.)	3,790	2,748	3,500	3,500	3,500
Number of Sediment Control inspections completed	20,646	20,428	20,500	20,500	20,500
Number of roadside tree plan reviews	1,615	1,866	1,700	1,700	1,700
Percent of Sediment Control inspections that pass inspection indicating a compliant site	96.4%	97.0%	96.0%
Successful Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Delegation of Review of Sediment Control and Storm-Water Management ¹	N/A	Yes	N/A

Residential Construction & Fire Code Compliance

The Residential Construction staff is responsible for ensuring public safety through the effective application of residential building, structural, electrical, mechanical, and energy conservation codes. This is accomplished through technical plan review and inspection processes.The Fire Code Compliance staff is responsible for ensuring compliance with adopted National Fire Codes and Standards,...

Program Performance Measures	Actual FY23	Actual FY24	Estimated FY25	Target FY26	Target FY27
Percent of service requests completed within 3 business days	95%	95%	95%
Percent of commercial establishments in compliance with the Fire Code	86.3%	82.0%	80.0%
Number of inspections performed by Residential and Fire Code Compliance FCC inspectors	66,171	81,673	80,000	80,000	80,000
Number of residential plan reviews performed	9,761	9,268	9,500	9,500	9,500
Residential Permits - Percent of inspections completed on the scheduled day	99.1%	99.0%	99.0%

Commercial Building Construction

The Commercial Construction program is responsible for ensuring public safety through the effective application of commercial building, structural, electrical, mechanical, fire-safety, accessibility, and sustainability construction codes and standards. As the "First Preventers," this is accomplished through plan review and construction site inspections to facilitate compliance with approved plans and...

Program Performance Measures	Actual FY23	Actual FY24	Estimated FY25	Target FY26	Target FY27
Number of permits receiving final approvals	6,747	6,554	6,600	6,600	6,600
Commercial Permits - Percent of inspections completed on the scheduled day	98.3%	99.0%	98.0%
Percent of plans receiving a complete first review within 22 business days	86%	86%	86%

Administration

The Administration program provides policy development and leadership for all programs within the Department.The administrative staff is responsible for daily operations and a full range of administrative task and programs including Budget, Fiscal Management, Human Resources, Data Management, Contracts, McTime, and Fleet Management. DPS' Office of Information Technology (DPS-IT) leverages...

Program Performance Measures	Actual FY23	Actual FY24	Estimated FY25
Percent of screenings passed with fewer than 2 returns to the customer	98%	98%	98%
Percent of inspections passed - all divisions	84%	87%	85%
Percent of customers satisfied with DPS services ¹	75%	73%	75%

Zoning and Code Compliance

The Zoning and Code Compliance Division protects the quality of life, public health, safety, and welfare of Montgomery County. This is accomplished through the effective application and enforcement of the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance development and use standards; Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission certified site plan requirements; and ensure...

Program Performance Measures	Actual FY23	Actual FY24	Estimated FY25	Target FY26	Target FY27
Number of zoning and fire department access reviews	29,614	29,581	29,600	29,600	29,600
Percent of MNCPPC active site plans in compliance every 10 business days	96%	98%	96%
Percent of Zoning service requests started and responded to the customer within 2 business days	87%	87%	87%

Customer Support & Outreach

The Customer Support and Outreach Division is responsible for all administration and issuance of building, land development, and zoning-related permits, applications and licenses, information requests, pre-design consultations, and other specialty services. This Division was formed to provide a multi-prong approach to enhance the methods in which our services are delivered...

Program Performance Measures	Actual FY23	Actual FY24	Estimated FY25	Target FY26	Target FY27
Number of applications processed (at intake) by permit technicians	50,247	49,637	50,000	50,000	50,000
Percent of screenings completed (plans ready for review) within 2 business days	83%	76%	75%
Percent of customers satisfied with DPS Customer Service Division	98%	98%	98%

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2026 RECOMMENDED Budget

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Data

Budget Snapshot

48.6M FY26 Recommended
Operating Budget

255.0 Full Time
Equivalents

Budget Trends

Program Contacts

Contact Barbara Suter of the Department of Permitting Services at 240-777-6244 or Anita Aryeetey of the Office of Management and Budget at 240-777-2784 for more information regarding this department's operating budget.

Related Links

Montgomery County MD Home Page

Budget Summary

Title	Actual FY24	Budget FY25	Estimate FY25	Recommended FY26	%Chg Bud/Rec
PERMITTING SERVICES
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages	26387608.00	28996079.00	28835716.00	30379750.00	4.8
Employee Benefits	7087506.00	7823025.00	7824529.00	8735390.00	11.7
Permitting Services Personnel Costs	33475114.00	36819104.00	36660245.00	39115140.00	6.2
Operating Expenses	6512320.00	8722851.00	8227111.00	9465993.00	8.5
Capital Outlay	0.00	117600.00	117600.00	0.00	-100.0
Permitting Services Expenditures	39987434.00	45659555.00	45004956.00	48581133.00	6.4
PERSONNEL
Full-Time	243.00	244.00	244.00	247.00	1.2
Part-Time	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
FTEs	249.03	252.03	252.03	255.03	1.2
REVENUES
Building Permits	26293231.00	26757490.00	26757490.00	24649598.00	-7.9
Electrical Permits and Licenses	4602577.00	4500000.00	4500000.00	4571658.00	1.6
Fire Code Enforcement Permits	2329844.00	2354099.00	2354099.00	2012462.00	-14.5
Grading/Storm Drains/Paving/Driveway Permits	3444965.00	4400000.00	4400000.00	4446125.00	1.0
Occupancy Permits	597491.00	578272.00	578272.00	581763.00	0.6
Other Licenses/Permits	495613.00	578009.00	578009.00	493140.00	-14.7
Sediment Control Permits	2943789.00	3437873.00	3437873.00	3145299.00	-8.5
Sign Permits	179199.00	205983.00	205983.00	201696.00	-2.1
Special Exception Fee	187784.00	203782.00	203782.00	197207.00	-3.2
Stormwater Mgmt and Water Quality Plan Fee	302636.00	209117.00	209117.00	197207.00	-5.7
Well and Septic	398160.00	498893.00	498893.00	437930.00	-12.2
Automation Enhancement Fee	59.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Other Charges/Fees	1891389.00	1690858.00	1690858.00	1890045.00	11.8
Other Fines/Forfeitures	115591.00	86275.00	86275.00	84663.00	-1.9
Miscellaneous Revenues	5282.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Investment Income	3502739.00	2580520.00	3178350.00	2676510.00	3.7
Mechanical Construction Permit	1976191.00	2146150.00	2146150.00	2173243.00	1.3
Information Requests	0.00	116634.00	116634.00	139756.00	19.8
Permitting Services Revenues	49266540.00	50343955.00	50941785.00	47898302.00	-4.9

GRANT FUND - MCG
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Employee Benefits	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Grant Fund - MCG Personnel Costs	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Operating Expenses	385.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Grant Fund - MCG Expenditures	385.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
PERSONNEL
Full-Time	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Part-Time	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
FTEs	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
REVENUES
State Grants	385.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Grant Fund - MCG Revenues	385.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0

DEPARTMENT TOTALS
Total Expenditures	39987819.00	45659555.00	45004956.00	48581133.00	6.4
Total Full-Time Positions	243.00	244.00	244.00	247.00	1.2
Total Part-Time Positions	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.0
Total FTEs	249.03	252.03	252.03	255.03	1.2
Total Revenues	49266925.00	50343955.00	50941785.00	47898302.00	-4.9

FY26 Recommended Changes

Title	Expenditures	FTEs
PERMITTING SERVICES
FY25 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION	45659555	252.03
Changes (with service impacts)
Enhance: Senior Permitting Services Specialist [Commercial Building Construction]	108482	1.00
Enhance: New Program Manager Position [Commercial Building Construction]	107319	1.00
Enhance: Administrative Specialist II for Outreach [Administration]	93369	1.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: FY26 Compensation Adjustment	1607758	0.00
Increase Cost: Laptops and Electronic Tablets [Administration]	743112	0.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Compensation Increases	742968	0.00
Increase Cost: Lapse Adjustment [Administration]	390109	0.00
Increase Cost: IT Equipment, Maintenance and Support [Administration]	332440	0.00
Increase Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment	252253	0.00
Increase Cost: Microsoft License Chargeback [Administration]	150458	0.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Lapsed Positions	131909	0.00
Increase Cost: Retirement Adjustment	125904	0.00
Increase Cost: Printing and Mail Adjustment	35575	0.00
Increase Cost: IT Maintenance and Support [Administration]	4171	0.00
Decrease Cost: Risk Management Adjustment	-5616	0.00
Decrease Cost: Annualization of FY25 Personnel Costs	-544278	0.00
Decrease Cost: Elimination of One-Time Items Approved in FY25	-597404	0.00
Decrease Cost: Eliminate Expenditures Associated with Terminated Contract [Administration]	-756951	0.00
FY26 RECOMMENDED	48581133	255.03

Program Summary

Program Name	FY25 APPR Expenditures	FY25 APPR FTEs	FY26 REC Expenditures	FY26 REC FTEs
Administration	11591756	26.13	11966724	27.13
Commercial Building Construction	8695076	54.00	9478715	56.00
Customer Support & Outreach	4963864	41.90	5275967	41.90
Land Development	8597613	54.00	9090848	54.00
Residential Construction & Fire Code Compliance	7224873	47.00	7914242	47.00
Zoning and Code Compliance	4586373	29.00	4854637	29.00
Total	45659555	252.03	48581133	255.03

Funding Parameter Items ($000s)

Title	FY26	FY27	FY28	FY29	FY30	FY31
PERMITTING SERVICES
EXPENDITURES
FY26 Recommended	48581.000000	48581.000000	48581.000000	48581.000000	48581.000000	48581.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Annualization of Positions Recommended in FY26	0.000000	90.000000	90.000000	90.000000	90.000000	90.000000
New positions in the FY26 budget are generally assumed to be filled at least three months after the fiscal year begins. Therefore, the above amounts reflect annualization of these positions in the outyears.
Elimination of One-Time Items Recommended in FY26	0.000000	2.000000	2.000000	2.000000	2.000000	2.000000
Items recommended for one-time funding in FY26, including operating expenses for new staff, computer equipment for department staff and an IT contract, will be eliminated from the base in the outyears.
Labor Contracts	0.000000	142.000000	142.000000	142.000000	142.000000	142.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures	48581.000000	48815.000000	48815.000000	48815.000000	48815.000000	48815.000000

Additional Documentation