Sec. 32-151. Site Grades
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.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 32-151 (2026)
Sec. 32-151. Site GradesLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Site grades shall be adapted to establish street grades and topography, preserving to the extent feasible the natural contours, existing woodlands, specimen trees and terrain features.
(b)
Concentrated surface drainage from each lot or parcel shall discharge directly, or through no more than one (1) adjacent lot unless suitable easements are granted to accommodate its flow into a publicly maintained drainage system, street or continuously flowing natural watercourse. Easements may not be required if, in the opinion of the Director, it can be demonstrated by a Maryland registered professional engineer that the concentrated surface drainage is insignificant and/or will not adversely affect adjacent properties.
(1)
Slope Limitations. In effecting the foregoing objectives, the slope limitations specified in Table 4 herein and elsewhere in this Division shall be followed. The exact value shall be determined by the preparer of the plan to suit each specified site.
TABLE 4 - SITE SLOPE LIMITATIONS
| FEATURE | MAXIMUM | MINIMUM |
| Setback of Building from edge Building Pad or Shelf | — | 10 ft. * |
| Slope of Pad or Shelf Away from Building, Residential | 30" in 10' | 10" in 10' |
| Slope of Pad or Shelf Away from Building, All Others | — | 10" in 10' |
| Yards or Lawns | 3:1 | 2 ½% |
| Slope of Terraces, Slopes or Banks, Residential | 3:1 | — |
| Slope of Terraces, Slopes or Banks, all others | 2:1 | — |
| Side Slope of Swale or Ditch | 3:1 | 10:1 |
| Longitudinal Gradient of Sodded Swale or Ditch | 4% or ** | 2% |
| Slope patios-longitudinal pitch (end to end) and Lateral pitch (side to side) away from the Building | 1/4" in 12" | 1/8" in 12" |
| Driveways - lateral pitch (side to side) away from Building Sidewalks and leadwalks - lateral pitch | 1/2" in 12" 48:1 | 1/8" in 12" — |
| Driveways - longitudinal pitch (end to end) away from the Building Sidewalks and leadwalks - longitudinal | 12.5% 12:1 | 1% — |
| Parking Lots and Areas | 7% | 1% |
| * Minimum from sides of single-family residences and from ends of a townhouse complex is four (4) feet. ** The slope that will yield a velocity no greater than four (4) feet per second. |
(2)
Exception. Slopes steeper than 3:1 may remain undisturbed and undeveloped when preserving a forested area; however, a soils analysis may be required by the Director if the long term stability of the slope is in question.
(3)
Building Types and Designs. Selection of building types and designs shall be coordinated with, and shall be considered secondary to, conformance of the site grading to the foregoing objectives, the preferred slope limitations, and other requirements of this Division.
(4)
Factor of Safety. All slopes shall have a factor of safety of 1.5.