The historic Chevy Chase area was developed in “modern” times by sections, each section being given a number. Chevy Chase Section 5 took form as a formal entity through the efforts of a small group of residents who met in 1916 to discuss their concerns about the lack of street lighting and other matters pertaining to the welfare of the neighborhood. Thus was born the Section 5 Chevy Chase Citizen’s Association complete with constitution, by-laws, and dues set at $4 a year.
In 1922, Chevy Chase Section 5 became a Special Taxing District chartered by the Maryland General Assembly. Under that status, there was a five-member volunteer council to set policy and a part-time salaried manager to take care of the day-to-day administrative matters of the town. Section 5 functioned in this manner until 1982, at which time the residents petitioned the Montgomery County Council to become an incorporated municipality. With incorporation approved, the governing structure of the new municipality remained the same as it was under the Special Taxing District.
