Board of Appeals

About the Board

Created

Montgomery County Code, Sections 2-l08 through Section 2-116.

Term

Four years.

Purpose

Exercise functions and powers of regional district as such functions and powers are prescribed in the Maryland-Washington Regional District Act (as revised and included in the new Land Use Article) to extent that such functions and powers are not vested in another administrative officer or agency. Hear and decide: all petitions for variances; and administrative appeals, including all appeals taken under the Building Code; all appeals concerning licenses for hospitals, sanitariums, nursing homes and care homes; and all appeals concerning licenses for private educational institutions. Also hear and decide appeals concerning to: special exceptions decided by the Hearing Examiner, orders directing removal of diseased trees, orders concerning restaurant permits, licenses for places of amusement and amusement enterprises, the electrical contractors license law, and all other appeals as the Board may be authorized to hear from time to time by law, ordinance, or resolution.

Membership

Five members, who must be residents of the County, are appointed by the County Council. No more than three members shall be from the same political party. The Chair is appointed by the Council.

Financial Disclosure

Public financial disclosure statements must be filed.

Compensation

Chair - $23,408.82; Member - $16,563.50. Both receive annual cost-of-living adjustments each December to reflect 50% of the change in the Washington Area Consumer Price Index.

Meetings

Weekly hearings all day Wednesday and worksessions every other week on Wednesdays, additional days as necessary.

Current Members

Chair, John Pentecost (Dem) appointed 10/2020, second term expires 9/2024
Richard Melnick (Unaffiliated) appointed 4/2020 (partial), first term expires 9/2026
Caryn Hines (Dem) appointed 9/2021 (partial), first term expires 9/2025
Laura Seminario-Thornton (Rep) appointed 11/2022 (partial), first term expires 9/2023
Alan Sternstein (Dem) appointed 12/2022 (partial), first term expires 9/2023