# Sec. 13-206. Procedure for certification and review

Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.

## Sec. 13-206. Procedure for certification and review

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 13-206 (2026)

(a) Any person that wishes to establish a Group Residential Facility shall file an application in writing with the Commission in a manner and on a form prescribed by it. The applicant shall be the owner of the Group Residential Facility or the person legally designated by the owner as having complete responsibility for the administration and business of the facility.

(b) Every application for certification or renewal thereof shall be accompanied by, but not limited to, the following proofs and documents:

  (1) A statement of the ownership of the facility, including the names and addresses of all owners; and, in the case of corporations, the corporate name, the corporate promoters, the president, vice president, if any, secretary, treasurer, and the names and addresses of all members of the board of directors; and proof of compliance relating to the filing and registration requirements of the Corporations and Associations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland;

  (2) A financial report of the Group Residential Facility and, in the case of a new facility, evidence of its financial capability to operate for at least six (6) months;

  (3) A statement describing the facility's personnel policies;

  (4) Evidence of access to emergency medical and mental health services for the residents;

  (5) Evidence of access to schools for the provision of any necessary services;

  (6) A certificate from the Prince George's Health Department that the facility is in compliance with statutes and local ordinances regarding water supply, sewage system, garbage disposal, lighting and ventilation, laundry, and food storage and preparation; or, a statement from the County Health Officer providing approval and indicating that the health of the residents would not be endangered by or in the facility;

  (7) A certificate from the Office of the Chief Building Inspector and the Fire Inspector that the facility complies with all local ordinances and regulations pertaining to the maintenance and safety of structures, edifices, and buildings;

  (8) A certificate from the Chief Zoning Inspector that the facility complies with all applicable ordinances and regulations pertaining to land use and zoning. In the event that an application for a special exception to the land use provisions of Subtitle 27 of this Code for a Group Residential Facility is required, the Commission shall complete processing of the application and may either provisionally approve the application, subject to approval of the special exception, or deny the application;

  (9) Evidence satisfactory to the Commission of ability to provide an admission, progress, and termination program for every resident of the Group Residential Facility, as well as evidence of ability to provide periodic review of the progress of every resident of the Group Residential Facility;

  (10) A program statement as defined in Section 13-201(11);

  (11) The grantee shall demonstrate a program of initial and continuing community education regarding the operation of the facility;

  (12) The requirements of paragraphs two (2), six (6) and seven (7) may be waived at the time of application provided that the applicant provides any necessary plans or copies of pending applications to demonstrate his intent to comply with these requirements. A provisional certificate may be issued by the Commission pending compliance by the applicant with the requirements of these paragraphs provided that such certificate shall not be deemed finally approved until such requirements are met.

(c) With respect to the documents listed under paragraph (b) of this Section which must accompany an application for certification, the Commission shall accept as valid a copy of any such document as may have been filed with a State regulatory agency for the same purpose by the person making application for the certificate hereunder, unless the Commission shall have reasonable grounds to believe that any such document is outdated or inaccurate.

(d) Before the Commission shall certify any facility, or renew any certificate, it shall cause a notice of such application to be published two (2) successive times in the County's newspapers of record, at least fourteen (14) days but not more than thirty (30) days, prior to the date of the public hearing. The notice shall specify the name of the applicant, the kind of certificate applied for, the location of the Group Residential Facility proposed for certification, and the time and place fixed by the Commission for the hearing upon the application. Upon receipt of an application for certification of a Group Residential Facility located within the boundaries of an incorporated municipality, the Commission shall notify the municipality of the pending application and, in addition, shall provide the municipality with notice of the public hearing at least thirty (30) days prior thereto. If the Commission determines that the applicant is not fit to receive such certification applied for, or has made a material false statement in his application, or has practiced fraud in connection with said application, or that the operations of a Group Residential Facility, if certification is granted, will adversely affect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the neighborhood in which the Group Residential Facility is to be located or that the applicant does not demonstrate an ability to comply with the provisions of this Division, then the application shall be disapproved and certification refused. If no such finding is made by the Commission, then the application shall be approved and certification shall be granted. All findings and conclusions of the Commission as to the issuance or denial of a certificate shall be presented to the applicant within ninety (90) days of the submission of the initial application to the Commission for certification, with copies of such conclusions sent to all parties of record. If the application is approved and certification is granted, the Commission shall issue its certificate of approval for presentation to the Director of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement or his designee, and the Director or his designee shall issue the certificate applied for upon presentation of said certificate and payment of the fee required. The Director of the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement or his designee shall maintain a record of certificates issued. In addition, if the applicant is not a nonprofit corporation, no certificate shall be issued by the Director of the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement or his designee unless and until there is presented to him a certificate issued by the County Treasurer showing that there are no unpaid taxes on the real property or the taxable tangible business personal property of the applicant due to the State of Maryland or the County.

(e) For assistance in reaching its decision relative to application for a Group Residential Facility certificate, the Commission may request technical service, advice, data or factual evidence from the agencies of County government.

(f) Approval of any application for a Group Residential Facility to be located within an incorporated municipality for which such municipality has recommended denial shall require four (4) votes of the Commission. All other such action by the Commission as to the approval or denial of a Group Residential application shall require a majority vote of the full Commission.