Residential Light Construction

Residential Building Inspection Section
The Residential Building Inspection Section (RBS) provides oversight of construction activities for residential construction and commercial tenant fit outs. RBS handles building, mechanical, residential, electrical, residential sprinklers and other complaints related to construction activities. It should be noted that the City of Laurel regulates construction and enforcement activities within its municipal boundaries. For issues related to the City of Laurel, call 301-725-5300.
New House Exterior
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DPIE Now Offers Virtual (Remote) Inspections of Limited Projects

Virtual Inspection Procedures

DPIE is offering limited virtual inspections as an alternative to on-site inspections. Virtual inspections allow County inspectors to perform on-demand inspections from remote locations, utilizing technology instead of direct interaction with the public. Virtual inspections are conducted between a customer and a County inspector by using a video call on a smart phone or tablet. Project scope is limited to residential work at this time.

Read more here. . .

Hard Hat with County Seal

NOTICE:
Changes to DPIE Inspections Division Inspection Processes

The DPIE Inspections Division has suspended inspections of occupied existing residential/commercial interior renovations, alterations, and any additions associated with the projects, but continues to perform the following:

  • New construction inspections for residential/commercial/industrial properties
  • Existing residential exterior inspections without the need for entry, i.e. decks, driveways, foundations, backfill, etc.
  • Inspections of unoccupied and entirely vacant existing interior residential/ commercial projects under the following conditions:
    • Properties must be entirely vacant during the inspection.
    • Windows and doors must be open to provide ventilation.
    • Only one person may accompany an inspector into a property and social distancing will be practiced.
    • The person accompanying the inspector must wear a mask and gloves.
    • The property must remain totally vacant until the completion of the inspection(s).
    • The inspection complexity will be determined by the inspector.

DPIE will reevaluate this process in upcoming weeks.

For more information, call the Inspections Division at 301-883-3820 and select option 5.

During this time, the contractor/owner/applicant may utilize APPROVED third-party inspections and provide certifications to complete all required inspections including U&O’s. All building final inspections require a WSSC sign off before they will be authorized.

APPROVED Third-Party Inspectors Lists:

Also view the Temporary Third-Party Inspection Procedures (PDF).

Any deviation from the list above must be preapproved by the Inspections Division. Please contact Code Enforcement Officer Joseph Busby at JMBusby@co.pg.md.us for any questions or concerns.

The inspection certifications must be e-mailed to the County inspector to upload into ePermits, and the originals mailed to:

INSPECTIONS DIVISION
Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement
9200 Basil Court, Suite 307
Largo, MD 20774

DPIE’s Inspections Division will continue the following inspections:

  • All new construction for residential/commercial/industrial property
  • All existing residential exterior inspections without the need for entry, i.e. decks, driveways, foundations, backfill, etc.

We will reevaluate this process in the coming weeks.

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Preparing for an Inspection

The County uses an automated system to schedule inspections. To schedule an inspection, visit the Schedule an Inspection page to learn more.

This system will provide a confirmation number for your reference. Please write that number down and keep it available throughout the inspection process. Also, the approved County plans and permits must be available for the inspector to ensure a smooth inspection. It is helpful to have an adult on site to answer any questions the inspector may have. However, If an adult contact person is not available on site for inspections of accessory construction ONLY, the plans, permits, contact information, and a note stating what is to be inspected must be placed in a conspicuous location, readily accessible to the inspector, preferably at the front door of the location to be inspected. Please note, NO inspections will be performed inside a dwelling or inside an addition to a dwelling without an adult contact person on location of the requested inspection.

Scheduling Inspections

Inspections are scheduled based on location and volume. Due to varying lengths of time needed and the location of inspections, an exact appointment time is not possible. However, every attempt is made to meet requests for final and concrete inspections on the scheduled day. Unfortunately, due to unpredictable high request volumes, an inspection may be delayed. Should that occur, the assigned inspector will attempt to contact the requester via the phone number provided by the requester. The missed inspection MUST be rescheduled by the requester for the next date that is convenient to the requestor. Every attempt will be made to prioritize missed inspections that are scheduled for the NEXT business day.

All Inspections will be done between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. If you have not received your inspection or been contacted by the inspector by 2:30 p.m., you may obtain the inspection status by calling 301-755-9000.

 Non-Removal of Equipment Covers
When performing inspections which require you to view equipment where the removal of any covers are necessary, the master electrician and/or his designee shall be present at the time of inspection to perform such task and re-secure the equipment once completed.

Prince George’s County Inspectors are no longer responsible for the disassembling of any equipment in the performance of their duty.
 

Third Party Residential Inspections

Expansion of the Voluntary Third-Party Inspection Program (TPIP) includes new construction, renovation work, building additions and modifications to existing construction.  Effective June 1, 2018, an approved Third-Party Inspector may be utilized to conduct inspections in the following areas:
• Foundations (allowable bearing capacity) (126)*
• Foundation walls (134)
• Foundation drainage/waterproofing systems (081, 136)
• Below basement slab ( 4" base course, drain tile, vapor barrier) (162)
• Garage slab (150)
• Areaway (frost footings, walls, stairs, drain) (084)
• Stoops (084)
• Lead walks (150)
• Concrete flat work (084)
• Driveways (150)
• Patios (150)
• Drain tile and backfill (136, 081)

*Numbers in parentheses are inspection request codes.

TPIP Consultants List

Report a Violation

If you would like to report a possible Code violation in a home that is under one (1) year old and under the developer’s warranty, please use the PGC311 service request system to describe the problem. Please include your name and daytime phone number if you would like the inspector to contact you.