Building Permit Requirements

The following information is provided as a general guide that describes the minimum requirements needed to process a request for a permit. As an applicant, you are encouraged to contact the appropriate agency to determine if additional information will be needed to process your particular permit request. Permit Related Telephone Numbers, Permit Related Agency Links

When applying for a permit application a Property Tax ID number is needed to identify and verify the permit address. This information may be obtained by calling (301) 952-2500.

Residential - Single Family Dwellings

The following plans are required to apply for a Single Family Dwelling permit:

• One (1) Concept Approval Letter
• One (1) Approved Stormdrain Plan (if needed)
• Six (6) Site/Plot Plans - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Architectural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Structural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Landscape Plans
• One (1) Sediment Control Plan - Green stamp if the disturbed area is greater than 5,000 sq. ft.
• Three (3) Tree Conservation Plans or exemption letter

Minimum Plan Submission Requirements For Residential Projects

Residential - Swimming Pools (In ground)

The following plans are required for a swimming pool permit (in ground):

• Three (3) Site Plans that indicate the location
• Two (2) Building Plans
• Electrical Permit

Residential -Swimming Pools (Above ground)

The following plans are required for a swimming pool permit (above ground):

• Three (3) Site Plans that indicate the location
• Two (2) Building Plans

Residential - Decks

The following plans are required to apply for a deck permit.

• Three (3) Site/Plot Plans showing the deck location
• Two (2) Building Plans

Residential - Driveways

Permit requirements for a Residential Driveway. Applicant is required to bring in 3 copies of the Site/Plot Plan showing driveway location with dimensions. These drawings will be reviewed by Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Department of Public Works & Transportation and a Structural Engineer.

• Four (4) Site/Plot Plans

Residential - Patios (over 500 sq. ft.)

The following plans are required to apply for a patio permit.

• Three (3) Site/Plot Plans that indicate the location

Residential - Sheds (over 150 square feet, one per property)

The following plans are required to apply for a shed permit:

• Three (3) Site/Plot Plans that indicate the location
• Two (2) Building Plans (Structural)

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Residential - Fences (over 4 feet in height).

The following plans are required to apply for a fence permit:

• Three (3) Site/Plot Plans showing the fence location

Residential - Alteration (interior only)

The following plans are required to apply for an alteration permit:

• Two (2) Structural and Architectural Drawings

Residential - Alteration (exterior)

The following plans are required to apply for an exterior permit:

• Three (3) Site/Plot Plans
• Two (2) Structural and Architectural Drawings

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Residential - Addition

The following plans are required to apply for an addition permit:

• Three (3) Site/Plot Plans that indicate the location
• Two (2) Structural and Architectural Drawings

Commercial - New Building

The following plans are required to apply for a new commercial building permit:

• Seven (7) Site/Plot Plans - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Architectural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Structural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Electrical Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Mechanical Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Energy Calculations - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Landscape Plans - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Sediment Control Plans, one (1) green stamped
• Three (3) Tree Conservation Plans, or exempt letter
• Two (2) Approved Stormdrain Plans
• One (1) Concept Approval Letter

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Commercial - Multi-Family Dwellings

The following plans are required to apply for a new multi-family dwelling building permit:

• One (1) Concept Approval Letter
• Seven (7) Site/Plot Plans - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Architectural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Structural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Electrical Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Mechanical Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Energy Calculations - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Landscape Plans - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Sediments Control Plans, one (1) green stamped
• Three (3) Tree Conservation Plans, or exempt letter
• Two (2) Approved Stormdrain Plans
• Two (2) Geo Technical Reports

Commercial - Townhouse

The following plans are required to apply for a townhouse building permit:

• Seven (7) Site/Plot Plans - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Architectural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Structural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Electrical Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Mechanical Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Energy Calculations - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Landscape Plans - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Sediment Control Plans, one (1) green stamped
• Three (3) Tree Conservation Plans, or exempt letter
• Two (2) Approved Stormdrain Plans
• One (1) Concept Approval Letter

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Commercial - Alteration with Use and Occupancy

The following plans are required to apply for a commercial alteration with Use and Occupancy permit:

• Two (2) Site/Plot Plans - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Architectural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Structural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Electrical Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Mechanical Drawings - Signed and Sealed

Commercial - Alteration without Use and Occupancy

The following plans are required to apply for a commercial alteration without Use and Occupancy permit:

• Two (2) Architectural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Structural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Electrical Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Mechanical Drawings - Signed and Sealed

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Commercial - Addition

The following plans are required to apply for an addition building permit:

• One (1) Concept Approval Letter
• Seven (7) Site/Plot Plans - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Architectural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Structural Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Electrical Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Mechanical Drawings - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Landscape Plans - Signed and Sealed
• Two (2) Sediment Control Plans, one (1) green stamped
• Three (3) Tree Conservation Plans, or exempt letter
• Two (2) Approved Stormdrain Plans

Commercial - Canopies

The following plans are required to apply for a commercial canopy permit:

• Five (5) Site/Plot Plans
• Two (2) Architectural Drawings
• Two (2) Structural Drawings

Commercial Fences

The following plans are required to apply for a commercial fence permit:

• Five (5) Site / Plot Plans Showing Fence Location. Ensure fence locations are highlighted on the plans. All gates must be 20 feet wide. Must show location of fire hydrant.

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Fire Sprinklers and Fire Alarms

• Three (3) Systems Plans, Complete Manufacturers Shop Cut Sheets, Shop Drawings and Calculations. For information regarding the application requirements for fire sprinklers and fire alarms, please contact the Engineering Management Section, Life Safety/Fire Protection Unit at (301) 883-5855.

Grading

For information on obtaining a fine or rough grading permit, please contact the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) Permit Counter at
(301) 883-5915

Use and Occupancy Permits - no construction

The following plans are required for a Use and Occupancy permit, no construction:

• Property Tax ID Number
• Two (2) Site/Plot Plans Showing Lot, Building and Parking

Use and Occupancy Permits - Temporary

The following plans are required for a Temporary Use and Occupancy permit.

• Property Tax ID Number
• Two (2) Site Plans
• One (1) Letter From Owner

Signs - Freestanding

The following plans are required for a freestanding (ground mounted sign):

• Three (3) Site/Plot Plans
• Three (3) Structural Drawings
• Three (3) Sign Applications showing sign dimensions and a valid Use and Occupancy permit number

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Signs - Building

The following plans are required for a building mounted sign:

• Property Account Number
• Three (3) Structural Drawings
• Three (3) Sign Applications showing sign dimensions and a valid Use and Occupancy permit number

Retaining Walls

The following plans are required for a retaining wall:

• Seven (7) Site/Plot Plans

Mechanical

The following are requirements for HVAC:

• Two (2) Plans (if duct work is proposed)
• Mechanical Plan Review Requirements
• Heating System Certification for Single Family Homes
• Procedure for Mechanical Trade Permit Requirements

Electrical Permits

• Electrical Plan Review Requirements

Commercial Swimming Pool

The following plans are required for a commercial swimming pool permit:

• Three (3) Site/Plot Plans that indicate the location
• Two (2) Building Plans
• Electrical Permit

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Raze Permits

To raze a building in Prince George's County, letters from all of the utility companies (even if there were no utilities to the building) detailing that all utilities have been disconnected and a letter from the Health Department regarding the presence of asbestos must be submitted. These letters include Health, Gas, Electric, and Water.

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Plans Screening Office

Plan screening is required on submittals for all new residential buildings, commercial buildings, commercial additions and townhouses prior to entering the building and grading permit application process. Plans are screened to determine if sufficient information has been included in the package for an engineering plans review to be conducted. Submittal packages that achieve a positive screening will be approved to enter the building permit process. Packages that do not achieve a positive screening will be returned to the customer for correction.

Plans are screened on a first-come, first-serve basis. Information for plans screening can be obtained by calling (301) 883-7141.

Single Family Dwelling and Grading Checklist (PDF)
Plan Screening - Commercial Buildings & Condominiums (PDF)

Permit Renewals and Extensions

Once a permit has been filed, a permit must be issued within two years of the application date or it becomes null and void. Once a permit has been issued, work must begin within six months from the date of issuance. After work has started, approved inspections are required at a minimum of every six months to keep the permit valid. The exception to this rule is grading permits. Grading permits are issued with an expiration date of up to five years from the date of issuance.

A request to extend a permit must be submitted within 30 days of the expiration date. Once granted, extensions renew the validity of an application or permit.

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Permit Related Agency links

• Prince George's County Health Department
• Prince George's County Department of Public Works and Transportation
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
• Prince George's County Soil Conservation District
• Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
• Maryland Home Improvement Commission

Volume Builders Information

Volume appointments may be scheduled 24 hours in advance by calling (301) 883-5987.

Hold Harmless Agreement (PDF)

Your written requests can be sent to the following address:

Prince George's County
Department of Environmental Resources
Permits and Review Group

9400 Peppercorn Place, Suite 600
Largo, Maryland 20774

Permit Forms

Permits Application Form

Application form to apply for a building, sign, or Use and Occupancy permit. Required fields include but are not limited to: property description, work description, owner information and type of permit applied for. To get more information regarding the property description the following will provide all the pertinent information needed: tax bill, the deed for the property or go to http://www.dat.state.md.us/ to retrieve property information by county and address.

• Permit Application Form (PDF)
• Electrical Permit Application Form / Fees (PDF)

Transmittal Form

This form is used when making a revision to an existing permit.

• Transmittal Form (PDF)

Volume Builders Form

This form can be used by builders who apply for a large number of permits at any given time to expedite the application process. The first Permit Application has to be on a Regular Application.

• Volume Builder's Form (PDF)

Permit Guides

Homeowners Guide to Permits

• Please contact the Permits Office at (301) 883-5776.

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