Division 3. Historic Preservation Commission
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.
Division 3. Historic Preservation Commission
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 29-105 (2026)
Sec. 29-105. Commission establishedLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Commission. There is hereby created a Commission to be known as the "Historic Preservation Commission of Prince George's County, Maryland."
(b)
Membership. The Commission shall consist of nine (9) members appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 504 and 322 of the Charter of Prince George's County, Maryland. Each member must be a resident of Prince George's County, Maryland. Four (4) of the members of the Commission shall possess a demonstrated special interest, specific knowledge, or professional or academic training in such fields as history, architecture, architectural history, archeology, anthropology, agriculture and historic preservation. Three (3) members shall represent the fields of commerce, realty, municipal governance, community associations, building/preservation restoration, home building and law. One (1) member shall be selected from the Prince George's County Historical and Cultural Trust Board, or a Prince George's County based 501(c)(3) organization committed to the preservation of the cultural and historical legacy of Prince George's County. One (1) member shall be selected from the Prince George's County Association of Realtors. The members of the Commission shall, to the extent possible, be selected to represent the geographical, social, economic, and cultural concerns of the residents of Prince George's County, Maryland.
(c)
Chairman and Vice Chairman. In accordance with the provisions of Sections 504 and 322 of the Charter of Prince George's County, Maryland, the County Executive shall appoint, with the confirmation of the County Council, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Commission. Said appointments occurring after the Commission's first year of operation shall be made after due consideration has been given to any recommendation(s) of the Commission.
(d)
Terms. The terms of the members of the Commission shall be for three (3) year periods, except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be three (3) each for one (1), two (2) and three (3) year periods, so that not more than three (3) appointments shall expire each year.
(e)
Vacancy. Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission caused by the expiration of a term, resignation, death, incapacity to discharge duties, removal for cause, or any other reason, shall be filled for a new term, or for the remainder of the term for which there is a vacancy, as the case may be, in the same manner as provided herein for the appointment and confirmation of the initial members of the Commission. In the case of expiration of terms, members may continue to serve until their successors are appointed and confirmed.
(f)
Removal for Cause. A member may be removed from the Commission by the County Executive with County Council concurrence. In each case, the cause for removal shall be stated in writing.
(g)
Compensation. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but they may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, provided that said expenses are provided for in the County or Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission budget and reimbursement is approved by the Chief Administrative Officer of the County or the Executive Director of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, as appropriate.
(h)
Regulations. The Commission shall adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the proper transaction of the business of the Commission which shall be subject to review and approval by the District Council prior to their becoming effective.
(i)
Meetings. The Commission shall hold such regular meetings as, in its discretion, are necessary to discharge its duties.
(j)
Staff. Employees may be assigned to the Commission, and such services and facilities made available as are deemed necessary or appropriate for the proper performance of its duties. The County Attorney shall serve as counsel to the Commission.
(k)
Design Guidelines. The Commission shall adopt architectural and design guidelines which shall specify such characteristics as materials, colors, signage, landscaping, and other design-related considerations that will be permitted, encouraged, limited, or excluded from Historic Sites or Historic Districts. Such guidelines shall be subject to review and approval by the District Council prior to their becoming effective.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 29-106 (2026)
Sec. 29-106. Powers and duties of the CommissionLinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(1)
To research historic resources and to recommend to the Planning Board and District Council, using the criteria of Section 29-104, which ones should be classified as Historic Sites or Historic Districts in the master plan for historic preservation.
(A)
If a proposed Historic District lies within the corporate limits of a municipality, the Commission shall ask for municipal comments on boundaries and other aspects of the District.
(B)
In the event that a municipality objects to the designation of a proposed Historic District boundary for property within the municipality, a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the full District Council shall be required to override a municipal recommendation on designation of boundaries.
(2)
To maintain and update an inventory of historic resources;
(3)
To act upon applications for Historic Area Work Permits and other matters referred to it for action pursuant to the provisions of this Subtitle;
(4)
To appoint members to local advisory committees to assist and advise the Commission in the performance of its functions;
(5)
To recommend programs and legislation to the County Council and the Planning Board to encourage historic preservation;
(6)
To review any legislation, applications for zoning map amendment, special exception, site plan, and subdivision approval, and other proposals affecting historic preservation, including preparation and amendment of master plans, and to make recommendations thereon to the appropriate authorities;
(7)
To serve as a clearinghouse for information on historic preservation for County Government, individuals, citizens' associations, historical societies, and local advisory committees; to provide information and educational materials for the public; and to undertake activities to advance the goals of historic preservation in Prince George's County, Maryland;
(8)
To employ or hire consultants or other temporary personnel, as necessary, consistent with County or Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission contract provisions, to assist the Commission in the accomplishment of its functions. Consultants or other personnel shall be compensated as may be provided for in the County or Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission budget;
(9)
To administer any revolving funds, easement or grant programs, tax incentive programs, or other preservation funds that will aid historic preservation, as approved in the County or Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission operating budget;
(10)
To delineate the extent of appurtenances and environmental setting associated with a historic resource during the development review processes; and
(11)
To make recommendations on the use, upkeep, or adaptive reuse of publicly-owned historic resources.