Do you need a permit for a pool or hot tub in Prince George's County, MD?
It depends on the details of your project.
DPIE's exemption list has no pool exemption, so pools need a permit.
A pool at a house must sit at least 8 ft from the rear lot line and 5 ft from each side lot line.
Zoning requires a fence at least 6 ft high around an outdoor pool.
A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Prince George's County before you build.
Check your exact lot
Your zoning district sets the setbacks, and a flood zone can change the permit answer. Enter your address to see both.
Permits a pool or hot tub can need in Prince George's County
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Pools and hot tubs aren't on DPIE's list of exempt work, so they need a building permit.Medium confidence |
| Electrical permit | Pumps, heaters, lights and bonding need an electrical permit.Medium confidence |
| Floodplain development permit | All development in a FEMA special flood hazard area needs a floodplain permit. |
| Historic Area Work Permit (HPC) | Exterior work on a designated historic site, in its environmental setting or in a county historic district needs a Historic Area Work Permit from the Historic Preservation Commission. |
| Chesapeake Bay Critical Area review | Within 1,000 ft of tidal water, the county reviews new work under the Critical Area Overlay Zone. A project that disturbs 500 sq ft or less, stays out of the 100 ft Critical Area Buffer, and is on a lot with no existing Conservation Plan can get a staff-level review from DPIE (301-636-2060); anything else goes to M-NCPPC Environmental Planning (301-952-3650). |
Limits that apply citywide
| Rear setback | 8 ft from the rear lot line |
|---|---|
| Side setback | 5 ft from each side lot line |
| Fence | At least 6 ft high around an outdoor pool (a railing with a locking gate can serve on an above-grade pool) |
Local details
- Call 811 at least a few days before you dig footings or post holes. Utility locating is free.
- HOA covenants and deed restrictions can be stricter than city rules. Check yours before you build.
- Prince George's renamed its zones in 2022. If a plat or listing says R-55 or R-80, the lot is now RSF-65 or RSF-95.
How to apply
Common questions
- When does a pool or hot tub need a building permit in Prince George's County?
- Pools and hot tubs aren't on DPIE's list of exempt work, so they need a building permit. A small inflatable pool isn't a structure. Anything larger needs a permit.
- Where do I apply for a pool or hot tub permit in Prince George's County?
- Apply through DPIE Momentum permitting portal, or call (301) 636-2050.
Sources
- Prince George's County DPIE, What work is exempt from obtaining a permit?. Checked 2026-10-21
A one-story detached accessory structure on one- and two-family dwelling properties with less than 150 square feet of floor space not designed or intended for occupation or habitation and limited to 1 accessory structure only per property... All forms of pa…
- 44 CFR 59.1, definition of development (NFIP). Checked 2026-10-19
Development means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures...
- 44 CFR 60.3, floodplain management criteria. Checked 2026-10-19
Require permits for all proposed construction or other development in the community...
- Prince George's Planning, Historic Area Work Permits. Checked 2026-10-21
[In Prince George's County, properties] designated as a historic site, or those within a locally designated historic district, may require a HAWP... Here are examples of projects that always require a HAWP: Replacement, alteration, or the addition of roofs,…
- Prince George's County DPIE, What projects qualify for a Critical Area Staff Level Review?. Checked 2026-10-23
A Critical Area Staff Level Review of your project can be done if it meets the following conditions: disturbance of 500 square feet or less will occur; there is no existing Conservation Plan for the lot; the project will not be located in the Critical Area …
- Maryland Critical Area Commission, Critical Area basics. Checked 2026-10-21
The Critical Area includes all lands within 1,000 feet of the tidal waters... and a minimum 100-foot buffer landward from the mean high water line of tidal waters, tidal wetlands, and tributary streams.
- 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…