This week, the Montgomery County Council unanimously approved new executive regulations to reduce bureaucracy and expedite the approval process for restaurant permitting, which local restaurant owners often criticize due to bureaucratic delays.
Officials claim that the new regulations, in conjunction with previous efforts to boost the number of restaurant inspectors, will greatly simplify opening a new restaurant in Montgomery County.
“Restaurants are the lifeblood of our economy. They not only provide good jobs for our residents and allow entrepreneurs to fulfill their dreams, but a vibrant restaurant sector contributes to the excellent quality of life that attracts new businesses and talent to the County,” Economic Development Committee Chair Natali Fani-González said in a Tuesday press release. “When I went on a tour of restaurants throughout Montgomery County with local chambers of commerce and the Department of Permitting Services to hear about the challenges of opening a restaurant, it was clear that we as a County need to do better. I am thrilled that we were able to push these streamlining efforts forward, and I want to thank the restaurateurs, the local chambers of commerce, and the County Executive’s team for being willing partners in positive change.”
The bureaucratic process for opening new restaurants in Montgomery County has consistently been a source of frustration for restaurant owners. For example, both Kusshi Sushi and The Breakfast Club in downtown Silver Spring faced significant delays in their openings, attributed to the lengthy inspection and permitting process and other reasons such as pandemic-related supply chain and labor constraints.
Executive Regulation #18-23 (PDF) simplifies the certification process for restaurants looking to open by reducing paperwork and administrative requirements. It also lengthens the Food Handler Certificate’s validity period from three to five years, reducing the frequency of certificate renewal for restaurants.
The changes were initiated through a collaborative effort between the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, the county’s Department of Health and Human Services, and County Executive Marc Elrich.
“We know that opening a restaurant in Montgomery County has been a complex and sometimes frustrating process,” Elrich said. “By cutting through unnecessary bureaucracy and adding more inspectors, we are making it easier for entrepreneurs to bring their culinary visions to life. We are fostering a vibrant community where people can enjoy diverse dining experiences and local businesses can thrive. Our efforts reflect a commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to the needs of our residents and business owners.”
The joint Economic Development and Health and Human Services Committee recommended—and the full Council ultimately approved—the addition of two new restaurant inspector positions in the Department of Health and Human Services’ Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Over the past year, the need for additional DHHS staff capacity became apparent through one-on-one meetings with local restaurateurs and chambers of commerce and a series of joint committee work sessions.
According to county officials, after collaborating closely with the Executive Branch staff, the joint committee found a new funding model for the new positions, which aims to accelerate restaurant reviews and generate savings in the county’s general fund.
“Montgomery County boasts the region’s best cuisine from around the globe,” said Councilmember Evan Glass, who serves on the Economic Development Committee. “By streamlining our permitting process for opening and operating a restaurant, we are serving our small and independent businesses what they need to grow and thrive.”
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