The latest episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) podcast, poetically titled "Special Events," spills the beans on everything you need to cover your legal bases. DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas and DPS Manager Chris Allen dive into why and when you'll need to get that paperwork in order.
For those planning to throw down a public event, Chris Allen advises to grab a permit at least 30 days beforehand, according to a Montgomery County press release. And if you're going all out with a larger event, you're looking at a 60 to 90-day lead time. "It’s never too early to apply," says CSO Division Chief Lucas in a statement that seems to fly in the face of procrastinators everywhere. Meanwhile, throwers of more intimate familial gatherings like backyard weddings can breathe easy, as those do not require special event permits.
Prepping for these events isn't just about dotting i's and crossing t's with permits. Depending on the event's specifics, organizers may need additional permits for food, alcohol, tent setups, or road closures. And there's a fee involved, too, but the exact dollar amount? You'll have to mine that detail from the podcast itself or hit up the DPS website for more insight.
And get this: the Permitting Services Podcast isn't just another voice in the digital wilderness—it snagged an achievement award from the National Association of Counties in 2024. There is no small feat in a world cluttered with every kind of podcast. If you've got Qs that need A's or ideas that could shape future episodes, email them to [email protected]. And if digital communication ain't your thing, a 311 call or a trip down to the DPS offices at 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton might do the trick.
