Moving at the Speed of Need: Permitting for Maryland’s Future

Hear how the state and counties are working to improve permitting in Maryland.

The pressure on counties to perfect permit review continues to grow as counties work to meet rising constituent expectations for housing, infrastructure, affordability, and responsive government services. Clear requirements, predictable timelines, and strong coordination across agencies can reduce delays, provide more certainty, and help projects move forward faster. At the same time, counties must carefully balance a complex mix of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, competing policy objectives, and increasing pressure to address affordability.

Title: Moving at the Speed of Need: Permitting for Maryland’s Future 

Description: Counties are under tremendous pressure to move projects faster, from housing and commercial development to critical infrastructure. This panel will take a broad look at permitting as one of the most important − and most scrutinized − points in the development process, with a focus on the practical challenges facing planners, county elected officials, and local agencies. Panelists will discuss how counties can improve coordination, increase predictability, maintain transparency, and balance the demand for speed with public process, community priorities, and responsible growth. 

Speakers: 

  • Rebecca Flora, Secretary, Maryland Department of Planning 
  • Brennan Tarleton, Director, Talbot County Department of Planning & Zoning 
  • Pete Gutwald, Director Permits Approvals and Inspections, Baltimore County

Moderator: The Honorable Benjamin Brooks, Maryland Senate

Date/Time: Friday, August 14, 2026; 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm 

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