A Montgomery County press release (2016-06-28) announced that the county’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS) was reducing permitting fees for building and land development applications by eliminating a five percent automation fee. The reduction follows a similar automation fee reduction made in 2014. From the press release:

The automation fee provided funding for development of DPS’s online eServices including ePermits and ePlans.  Eliminating the current automation fee will reduce costs for all Building and Land Development Permit Applications received on or after July 1.

“Getting rid of the automation fee is a cost-savings benefit to businesses and is another example of the hard work of our Department of Permitting Services to streamline the permitting process to save time and money,” said County Executive Ike Leggett.

In 2014, DPS reduced the automation fee from 10 percent to five percent.  In 2014, DPS also reduced fees for wood construction commonly used for multi-family housing. Last year, DPS launched a new permit fee structure that resulted in savings for many residents and businesses.

“DPS is delighted that construction is thriving in Montgomery County.  We are continuing to improve service delivery for County businesses and residents with faster plans turn around, reduced fees, and streamlined services”, says Director Diane Schwartz Jones.  “We are committed to providing a streamlined permitting process at a cost value to our customers.”

For more information about the Department of Permitting Services, call 311 or visit the website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/permittingservices.