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Homeowner rules in Prince George's County, MD

A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Prince George's County before you build.

Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or professional advice for any one property. Codes change. SetbackIQ is not a zoning determination, a permit, or a survey, and it does not replace an architect, engineer, or lawyer. Confirm with your building and zoning offices before you build, buy, or sign a contract.

Permits and building

  • Do I need a permit?DPIE exempts only four things: one detached accessory structure under 150 sq ft per lot, paving under 500 sq ft that isn't for parking, retaining walls 2 ft or less that support nothing, and fences 4 ft or less.
  • Solar panelsSmall-scale solar is allowed by right on roofs, walls, poles or the ground. Roof systems may rise no more than 15 ft above the roofline. Ground systems follow accessory location rules. You can record a solar easement to protect your sun.
  • AC units, heat pumps and generatorsResidential noise is limited to 65 dBA by day (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and 55 dBA at night at the receiving property, which covers AC units, heat pumps and generators. New systems and generators need DPIE permits. Gas piping is regulated separately.
  • EV charging at homeA Level 2 charger needs a DPIE electrical permit.
  • Construction hours and noiseConstruction is allowed daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Report after-hours noise to the police non-emergency line.
  • Energy codes, green building and upkeepHouses follow the county building code (Subtitle 4), including its energy provisions. Subtitle 13 sets housing and property maintenance standards. Green building standards in Subtitle 27 attach to development applications, not single houses.

Yard and structures

  • Fences and wallsFences and walls: 4 ft in a front yard and in a corner side yard in front of the house. 6 ft elsewhere. Up to 8 ft for community gardens and urban agriculture. Fences must be outside the public right-of-way.
  • Retaining wallsWalls over 2 ft, or any wall supporting a structure, need a permit. Zoning caps retaining walls at 6 ft above finished grade (10 ft for foundations and driveways) and asks for 3 ft terraces between stacked walls.
  • Corner sight trianglesNo fence or wall within the triangle formed by the street lines and points 25 ft from the intersection, or anywhere an agency finds it creates a traffic hazard.
  • Decks, porches and roof decksDecks need a building permit. DPIE offers homeowner walk-through review for simple decks.
  • Sheds and garagesOne shed under 150 sq ft is exempt. Accessory structures stay out of the front yard and corner side yard, and structures over 10 ft step back 1 ft from side and rear lines for each foot over 10 ft.
  • Pools and hot tubsPools need a building permit. A pool at a house must be 8 ft from the rear line and 5 ft from side lines, and enclosed by a fence at least 6 ft high.
  • Exterior lighting and light trespassSubtitle 27-6700 sets exterior lighting standards. Motion-sensor security lights that shut off within 15 minutes and pool underwater lights are exempt.
  • Driveways and front-yard parkingA driveway or parking pad needs a permit at any size. Off-street parking must be surfaced (asphalt, concrete, pavers and similar).
  • Pergolas, play sets and carportsPergolas, gazebos and carports count as your one exempt accessory structure if under 150 sq ft. Otherwise they need a permit.

Land and environment

  • TreesCutting a tree on an existing house lot needs no permit by itself. Building or grading permits that add 2,500 sq ft or more of floor area or disturbance must meet Tree Canopy Coverage rules (§ 25-127). Woodland conservation plans apply only to lots of 40,000 sq ft or more with at least 10,000 sq ft of woodland.
  • Floodplains, RPAs, wetlands and stormwaterLots within 1,000 ft of tidal water along the Patuxent and Potomac fall in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, which limits clearing and new impervious surface and protects a 100 ft buffer. SetbackIQ checks the state Critical Area map.
  • Steep slopes and problem soilsDPIE can require a sealed soils report based on slopes and soil type (§ 32-131), and no cut or fill may be steeper than 2:1 without a soil engineer's report (§ 32-160). Retaining walls on steep ground are capped at 6 ft with terraces.
  • Historic districtsDesignated historic sites, their environmental settings and county historic districts need a Historic Area Work Permit for exterior work. National Register-only districts don't. SetbackIQ checks the Planning Department's historic map.
  • Grading, easements and demolitionOn a developed lot, grading needs no permit if you disturb no more than 5,000 sq ft at a time and under 100 cubic yards, change grade by 12 in or less without altering drainage, and stabilize bare soil promptly (§ 32-127). In the Critical Area every grading job needs a permit. Demolition needs a DPIE permit, and a HAWP at historic sites.

Living and use

  • RVs, boats and trailers at homeIn single-family zones (ROS, AG, AR, RE, RR, RSF-65, RSF-95, RMH) you may park boats, boat trailers and one unoccupied camping trailer per lot. One commercial vehicle is allowed: up to 8,500 lb with only a small firm name, or up to 17,000 lb inside a garage.
  • Chickens, bees and urban farmingUrban agriculture and beekeeping are permitted uses. Coops, runs and hutches must be 25 ft from side and rear lot lines and 50 ft from any neighbor's house.
  • Home businessesHome occupations need a use and occupancy permit. Up to 25% of the home (max 5,000 sq ft), two non-resident employees, no outdoor storage and no exterior signs of business.
  • Family child care homesSmall family child care (up to 8 children) and large family child care (9 to 12) are permitted in residential zones. Both must be registered with the Maryland State Department of Education.
  • Occupancy limitsA family is any number of related people, or not more than five people who aren't all related.
  • Short-term rentalsShort-term rentals need a DPIE license and must be at your primary residence. Rentals may run up to 90 nights a year with you away or 180 with you present (not combined), with no more than eight guests and three per bedroom.