DPS Now Requires Emergency Safety Plans for Multifamily Rentals

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is now reviewing Emergency Safety Plans (ESP) for multifamily rental apartment buildings — defined as buildings with three or more dwelling units — as part of the Fire Code Compliance (FCC) permit process. All owners or operators of such buildings are required to submit an ESP with their FCC permit application. DPS has published a best practices guide, a customizable template, a step-by-step process guide, and an FAQ on its website to assist applicants.