Do you need a permit for a retaining wall in Prince George's County, MD?
It depends on the details of your project.
Only retaining walls of 2 ft or less that don't support a structure are exempt.
Zoning caps retaining walls at 6 ft above finished grade (10 ft for driveways and foundations).
Walls over 6 ft must meet the zone's building setbacks.
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 retaining wall can need in Prince George's County
| Permit | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Building permit | DPIE exempts only retaining walls 2 ft or less that don't support a structure. |
| Floodplain development permit | Grading and walls in a FEMA special flood hazard area need 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
| Maximum height | 6 ft above finished grade; up to 10 ft for a foundation wall or a driveway to a garage |
|---|---|
| Terracing | At least 3 ft between stacked 6 ft walls; 5 ft between walls over 6 ft |
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 retaining wall need a building permit in Prince George's County?
- DPIE exempts only retaining walls 2 ft or less that don't support a structure. A retaining wall of 2 ft or less, supporting nothing, needs no permit.
- Where do I apply for a retaining wall 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…