| WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD (September 16, 2025) – The Washington County Division of Permits and Inspections is proud to announce significant service enhancements that improve efficiency, streamline the permitting process, and expand local oversight of building and fire safety.
Effective July 1, 2025, the Division assumed responsibility for fire plan reviews and fire inspections previously handled by the Maryland State Fire Marshal. This transition marks an important milestone in providing timely, coordinated, and community-focused permitting and inspection services.
To ensure a seamless shift, the Division took several proactive steps:
- Training & Certification: In 2024 and 2025, five existing inspectors and the Chief Building Inspector became certified as Fire Inspectors I & II through the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute (MFRI) to manage residential fire projects.
- New Positions: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved and the Division filled two key roles, a dedicated Fire Plans Examiner and a Fire Inspector, to handle commercial projects.
- Service Results (since July 1, 2025):
- 101 fire plan reviews conducted
- 57 stand-alone fire permits issued
- 26 fire inspections completed
- 7 fire-related complaints addressed through service requests
In addition to fire safety services, the Division has strengthened its building permitting operations to make the process more efficient:
- In 2025, the BOCC approved a new Commercial Plans Examiner position.
- The Permit System Specialist position was repurposed into a Permit Operations Manager role to improve coordination and service delivery.
- The Division’s building permitting software was expanded to accommodate fire plan reviews and fire inspections, ensuring all services are housed within a unified system.
The Division has also remained committed to community engagement and transparency. In the past year, staff hosted multiple outreach meetings to help residents and business owners understand the transition from the 2018 to 2021 building codes, as well as the shift of fire safety responsibilities from the State Fire Marshal to the County. In addition, a Community Appreciation Luncheon was held to thank stakeholders for their support and partnership.
“These changes reflect our dedication to serving the community with efficiency, expertise, and professionalism,” said Greg Cartrette, Director of Permits and Inspections. “By expanding our services and resources, we are strengthening safety standards while streamlining the permitting and inspection process for residents and businesses.”
The team is dedicated to making all permitting, inspection, and fire safety processes as efficient, professional, and user-friendly as possible. Staff continually strive to provide the highest level of service and ensure that every interaction contributes positively to the safety, well-being, and satisfaction of our citizens.
For additional information, please contact Washington County’s Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380 or [email protected]. |
