Reference No. CB-003-2025    Draft No. 1
Type: Council Bill Status: Held in Committee
Meeting Body Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee
Meeting Date 1/28/2025
Introduced Date Public Hearing Date
Effective date:    
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF PERMITTING OMBUDSMAN for the purpose of establishing The Office of Permitting Ombudsman for the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) in Prince George’s County and creating a formal mechanism to address barriers for small business, homeowners, and other stakeholders in Prince George’s County.
Proposers/Sponsors: Eric C. Olson
Code sections: 04-272 - , 04-273 - , 04-274 - , 04-275 - , 04-276 - , 04-277 -
Attachments: 1. B2025003, 2. CB-003-2025 Summary, 3. TIEE ecomments_export CB-003-2025, 4. Written Position Statement - CB-003-2025 The Office of Permitting Ombudsman
Contact: Reese Espy-Glassman, Legislative Officer
Title
AN ACT CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF PERMITTING OMBUDSMAN for the purpose of establishing The Office of Permitting Ombudsman for the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) in Prince George’s County and creating a formal mechanism to address barriers for small business, homeowners, and other stakeholders in Prince George’s County.

Background
The Office of the Ombudsman for Permitting, housed within the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE), will be dedicated to helping homeowners and small businesses navigate the complex permitting process which can create barriers for success. Homeowners and small businesses often struggle to manage the permitting system, as they are not experts in architecture, project management, or construction. Plans often time get lost in the system due to lack of knowledge about required information, leaving applicants unaware of necessary steps and without an advocate to guide them through the process. Residents and small businesses frequently lack the time, resources, or expertise to effectively navigate the often-complicated permitting procedures. The Ombudsman for DPIE's hours will be posted on the website on the first page with no more than one click to obtain information such as office hours, schedule appointments and office's purpose. Thirty days after the enactment of this act, written and electronic notices shall go out to the Chamber of Commerce of Prince George's County, the Black Chamber of Commerce of Prince George's County, The Hispanic Caucus of Prince George's County, the Architecture Association of Prince George's County and the Prince George's County Association of Realtors, and any other recipients as determined by the Council.

By creating an Office of Permitting Ombudsman, the County can simplify this process, ensuring that residents and small businesses receive the support they need. Moreover, by creating the Office of Ombudsman will simplify and streamline the proces...

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