DPS Annual Stakeholders Forum Highlights Permitting Improvements

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services held its annual Stakeholders Forum on March 3 in Wheaton, where Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan presented updates including a new permitting system, a five-year strategic plan, updated turnaround-time dashboards, new GIS mapping tools, and the addition of a drone for inspections. Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi reported that commercial permit volume increased from 2024 to 2025 while review times decreased. A panel discussion on permitting's role in economic development featured Montgomery Planning Director Jason Sartori, MCEDC Director Laurie Boyer Babb, and MBIA CEO Lori Graf. DPS announced a second forum for County residents is planned for May.