The ninth episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast series, “Accessory Dwelling Units,” features important information for homeowners who are considering converting a space on their property into a secondary residence.
“Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are also known as in-law suites and carriage houses,” said DPS Customer Support and Outreach Division Chief Gail Lucas, who hosts the podcast. “ADUs are a hot topic around the country, and in Montgomery County, as the interest in multigenerational housing grows.”
The Department of Permitting Services podcast is now available on the DPS website and various podcast platforms including Amazon, Apple and Spotify. It also is available at https://permittingservicespodcast.buzzsprout.com/. Subscribe to the podcast by tapping the “plus” or “follow” sign on the podcast provider’s platform.
Joining Division Chief Lucas for the discussion is DPS Deputy Director Ehsan Motazedi, who was involved when the zoning laws were amended several years ago to make it easier to build ADUs in Montgomery County. Prior to that, ADUs were only allowed on large residential lots of one acre or more. Since the law was amended in January of 2020, Deputy Director Motazedi said DPS has issued about 350 ADU building permits.
“ADUs give homeowners more options when it comes to supporting their children, grandchildren or elderly parents,” said Deputy Director Motazedi. “They are basically secondary residences on an existing lot with kitchens, bedrooms, full bathrooms and their own entrances. ADUs can be part of a detached home, in the basement, an addition in the back of the primary home or built over a garage. They are not permitted in townhouses, duplexes or condominiums. Also, when it comes to permitting, there is a difference between an accessory structure in the backyard, such as a shed or gazebo, and an ADU.”
Deputy Director Motazedi said it is important for homeowners to contact DPS if they are considering converting a space into an ADU to make sure it qualifies.
“To qualify, either the ADU or the primary residence must be occupied by the property owner,” he said.
The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs is responsible for licensing ADUs and the property owner must apply and receive that license before a building permit from DPS can be issued.
For more ADU resources, visit the DPS website. While on the website, you can schedule a free, virtual design residential consultation with DPS staff to get additional questions answered. You can make an appointment online. Customers also can reach DPS staff by calling MC 311 or 240-777-0311.
Previous podcast episodes have covered building safety, deck permits, commercial building trends, use and occupancy certificates, fence permits, fire code compliance, the public right-of-way, septic systems, urban farming and zoning. Residents are encouraged to send questions and ideas for future podcast episodes to dps.podcast@montgomerycountymd.gov.
The Department of Permitting Services is located at 2425 Reedie Drive, 7th Floor, in Wheaton. The customer service lobby is open from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Appointments are not necessary to get in-person assistance.
