Title
AN ACT CONCERNING BUILDING CODE - ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS - RESTAURANT DEVELOPMENT AND ACCELERATION for the purpose of accelerating the development of sit-down restaurants in underserved areas of Prince George’s County; implementing a fast-track permitting concierge service for food service facility applicants; providing for pre-approved restaurant buildout plans and expedited review of permit plans; requiring annual program reporting; and generally relating to building permit approvals.
Background
This bill requires the Department of Permitting, Inspections & Enforcement (DPIE) to offer additional support to eligible applicants navigating the County’s restaurant permitting process. First, the bill directs the DPIE Director to establish a permitting concierge service, which provides applicants with a dedicated liaison to work with throughout the permitting process. Additionally, the bill requires the DPIE Director to publish code-complaint sample floorplan layouts to assist applicants with preparing ready-to-approve permit plans. Applicants utilizing these additional supports will be eligible for expedited plan review and reduced permitting fees. Finally, the bill authorizes DPIE to adopt and publish regulations to carry out this program and requires annual program reporting to the County Council. This program will be eligible to applicants proposing new restaurants inside the Capital Beltway.