Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) relating to neighborhood building in Montgomery County, and Renewing Montgomery responses:
| Communications |
| Q1: |
Who should participate in the discussion of neighborhood renewal? |
| R: |
Residents, property owners, real estate agents, builders, elected officials, regulatory agencies, businesses, and other interested parties. |
| Q2: |
I am not currently planning to sell or remodel my home/lot; should I get involved in the neighborhood renewal dialogue now? |
| R: |
Yes. Current and future regulations could have a substantial impact on what you can and cannot do with your property in the future. |
| Q3: |
How can I communicate my opinions? |
| R: |
Contact your neighbors, neighborhood association and elected officials. We also invite you to visit www.renewingmontgomery.com and offer your comments. |
| Design and Construction Issues |
| Q5: |
Who determines the design of new and remodeling homes? |
| R: |
Homes are usually designed by property owners working with architects. The owners create the living space and amenities families need and want. |
| Q6: |
Why are new homes usually larger than existing homes? |
| R: |
Today's homes often feature larger kitchens, multiple bathrooms, higher ceilings, laundry rooms, home offices, media rooms, owner's suites, etc., as well as more bedrooms than older homes. |
| Q7: |
Are new homes more energy efficient? |
| R: |
Yes. New construction techniques and materials make more efficient use of energy and renewable resources and are more environmentally friendly. Older homes often have inadequate insulation, inferior air filtration and heating systems, and high energy use appliances. |
| Q8: |
Are new homes safer than older homes? |
| R: |
Yes. All new homes have advanced fire sprinkler systems, and most feature advanced lighting and various safety features. Older homes often contain asbestos and lead-based paint. |
| Economic Impact |
| Q9: |
What is the economic impact of neighborhood building? |
| R: |
New residents bring new spending to area merchants. Younger families help schools and places of worship thrive. Construction trades employ thousands of County residents, from laborers, carpenters, plumbers and electricians to cabinetmakers, builders and architects that pay taxes and are active participants in the County economy. Construction taxes and fees contribute to County revenues which fund services for residents. |
| Property Values |
| Q10: |
What impact does neighborhood building have on property values? |
| R: |
Values in neighborhood where homes are being built or remodeled typically increase faster than in neighborhoods where no neighborhood building is taking place. |
| Q11: |
How can regulations affect the value of my property? |
| R: |
The value of your property can be adversely affected by regulations that restrict the size of any home built or remodeled on the property. Properties accommodating larger homes are typically worth more than properties restricted to smaller homes, and restrictive regulations may make your property worth less if you decide to sell it, even though for years you may have paid taxes based on the average value of lots in your neighborhood . |
| Regulations and Their Impact |
| Q12: |
What are zoning classifications? |
| R: |
Zoning classifications are established by the County to regulate the types of structures permitted in a particular area. Most established neighborhoods are zoned R-60 (residential, one-family, detached, minimum lot size 6,000 sq. ft.) or R-90 (residential, one-family, detached, minimum lot size 9,000 sq. ft.). For a full description of zoning classifications and their parameters, visit dps@montgomerycountymd.gov. |
| Q13: |
Do regulations apply to individual neighborhoods? |
| R: |
Regulations apply to the entire County. It is important to understand the impact of proposed regulations on different areas of the County, as what may be appropriate for one area may not be appropriate for others. |
| Q14: |
What regulations affect my property rights? |
| R: |
Home improvement is a property right. Regulations now in place limit the size of some home improvements, and new regulations have the potential to further restrict your right to improve your property as you see fit. |
| Q15: |
Do regulations affect the appearance of new and remodeled homes? |
| R: |
Regulations regarding building height, setbacks, and lot coverage affect design; however, most down-County areas do not require architectural approval for new homes or improvements. |
| Q16: |
Do new regulations add to construction costs? |
| R: |
New regulations directly increase design, construction, and permitting fees, and indirectly increase overall costs by adding delays to the construction schedule. |
| Trees & Landscaping |
| Q17: |
Why do so many new homes have driveways? |
| R: |
Current County regulations require off-street parking be provided for all new home construction. |
| Q18: |
Why does it take so long to have patches in the street repaired in front of new and remodeled homes? |
| R: |
Most work done in streets is the responsibility of the County or utility companies, and is beyond the control of the builder or homeowner. |
| Q19: |
How can I protect and promote trees in my neighborhood? |
| R: |
Make sure trees on your property are healthy and receiving proper care. Work together with new owners, homebuilders, and elected officials to express your interest in saving existing trees and planting new trees. Encourage your neighborhood association to promote the planting of new trees throughout the neighborhood. Most established neighborhoods were at one time open farmland, and existing trees are the product of continual planting of trees by homeowners and homebuilders over time. |
| Q20: |
Are there currently restrictions on removing or trimming trees? |
| R: |
Tree removal and maintenance has historically been a property right. Since Colonial times, owners have removed and maintained trees on their property as they have seen fit. Proposed regulations would eliminate or severely restrict owner rights regarding trees. |
| Q21: |
What kinds of trees can be planted? |
| R: |
There are no County regulations that restrict the kinds of trees that can be planted. Check with your civic association to see if local regulations apply in your neighborhood. |
| Q22: |
Are there fewer trees in neighborhoods today? |
| R: |
The number and size of trees is greater today than ever. |
