Retaining walls in Prince George's County, MD
Walls 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.
A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Prince George's County before you build.
The details
- Walls over 6 ft must meet the zone's building setbacks. Facing must be stone, brick or earth tones.High confidence
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SetbackIQ reads the zoning, flood zone, historic district, and environmental maps for your lot. Then it applies these rules.
Common questions
- When does a retaining wall need a permit or an engineer in Prince George's County?
- Walls 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.
Sources
- Prince George's County Zoning Ordinance (Subtitle 27), Sections 27-5202, 27-5203, 27-6600 and 27-6800. Checked 2026-10-21
[27-5203(b)(15)] An outdoor swimming pool shall be enclosed by a fence at least six feet high... An outdoor swimming pool accessory to a single-family dwelling may be located in a required side or rear yard except that it shall be set back at least eight fe…
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.