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Montgomery County proclaims Building Safety Month; county offers free deck inspections and May 20 permitting open house
Summary
County leaders proclaimed May 2026 as Building Safety Month, announced a free residential deck maintenance inspection program beginning May 1 (limited to 300 homes), and promoted a May 20 residential permitting open house and a DPS podcast series.
Council President Natalie Fanny Gonzalez opened the April 21 meeting by presenting a proclamation recognizing Building Safety Month and handing the microphone to County Executive Mark Elrich, who emphasized the year-round work of permitting staff and code officials.
"Build to last is a good theme," Elrich said, calling attention to the county's permitting services, plan reviewers and inspectors and urging residents to follow permit and inspection requirements for home projects. He announced a free residential deck maintenance inspection program beginning May 1; the program is limited to 300 participants and appointments can be requested by calling 311 or through the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) website. Elrich also promoted a residential permitting open house scheduled for May 20 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Executive Office Building auditorium and a short DPS podcast episode on decks and outdoor projects.
Rabia Sabakan, director of DPS, said the month is an opportunity for outreach and proactive prevention. "This is an opportunity to let our message on building safety resonate throughout our community," Sabakan said, urging residents to use the available resources and to seek inspections and permits where required.
The proclamation text, read during the meeting, thanked inspectors, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople and fire prevention officials and cited the International Code Council's role in promoting safe, sustainable buildings. It resolved that Montgomery County recognize May 2026 as Building Safety Month and encouraged residents and organizations to raise awareness about building safety and resilience.
The council presented the proclamation on April 21, 2026; the county executive and council president jointly signed it. For details about the deck inspections and to request an appointment beginning May 1, residents were directed to call 311 or visit the DPS website. The residential permitting open house is set for May 20, 4:30–8:00 p.m., in the Executive Office Building auditorium.
