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, the variety of modular construction projects around the County, and the role of DPS when it comes to codes and permitting, as well as the importance of predesign consultations for those considering offsite construction. They discuss the difference between modular construction and mobile homes and provide tips for listeners who may be exploring this construction option for a future project. Got an idea or question for an upcoming podcast episode? Email your ideas and questions to dps.podcast@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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 access in the built environment is important for emergency responders. Dr. LaBaw also shares information about her unique role as a structures specialist for Maryland’s Urban Search and Rescue team and discusses some of her assignment’s on that team around the country.

Got an idea or question for a future podcast episode?

Email your ideas and questions to dps.podcast@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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 how the permitting process works from applying for a building and electrical permit, to the number of inspections needed, and the role of zoning when locating a swimming pool.

For more information about the permitting process for residential pools, visit the DPS website. Do you have an idea or question for a future DPS podcast episode? Email dps.podcast@montgomerycountymd.gov.