Sec. 32-207. Construction and Design Standards within the Floodplain
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 § 32-207 (2026)
Sec. 32-207. Construction and Design Standards within the FloodplainLinkCopy Citation
(a)
All development permitted in the County Floodplain shall comply with the following minimum standards where applicable.
(1)
In general, all new construction and substantial improvements which are permitted in the floodplain by waiver pursuant to this Division shall be:
(A)
Designed (or modified) and adequately connected and anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure due to structural loads and stresses, including hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads and the effects of buoyancy, from flooding equal to the flood protection elevation or the elevation required by these regulations or the building code, whichever is higher, and constructed to safely support flood loads. The construction shall provide a complete load path capable of transferring all loads from their point of origin through the load-resisting elements to the foundation;
(B)
Constructed and placed on the lots so as to offer the minimum obstruction to the flow and height of the flood water;
(C)
Constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage; and
(D)
Constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage and adverse environmental impacts.
(2)
The elevation of the lowest floor of all new or substantially improved structures, except for garages, storage and accessory structures, which are less than three hundred (300) square feet and not used for human habitation, shall be at or above the flood protection elevation. Basements in buildings within the floodplain as herein defined are prohibited.
(3)
Enclosures below the lowest floor. New construction, substantial improvements and manufactured homes with fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor, including but not limited to enclosures that are surrounded by rigid skirting or other material that is attached to the frame the frame of foundation, crawl spaces, solid footings and continuous foundations, shall be vented to equalize hydrostatic pressure by permitting the free entry and exit of floodwaters and shall include the following as a minimum:
(A)
At least two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided;
(B)
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above the interior floor, or the exterior grade immediately below the opening;
(C)
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters; and
(D)
The owner shall include a statement on the building plans which states: "No conversion of this area to habitable space is to occur unless the lowest floor is elevated at or above the flood protection elevation. At this site the flood protection elevation is _______ in _______ (datum)."
(4)
Accessory structures. The new construction or substantial improvement of garages, storage sheds and similar accessory structures shall meet the requirements set forth in Paragraph (3), above. Accessory structures should be constructed with flood damage-resistant materials if it is below the base flood elevation, and constructed and placed to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters.
(5)
Storage. Storage for materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive, or that in times of flooding could be injurious to human, animal or plant life shall not be constructed or permitted below the flood protection elevation.
(6)
Fill.
(A)
Where allowed, fill material shall comply with the requirements of Sections 32-156 through 32-158 of this Subtitle.
(B)
Fill slopes shall be no steeper than one (1) vertical to two (2) horizontal, unless substantiating data justifying steeper slopes are submitted to and approved by the County.
(C)
Fill shall be used only to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.
(D)
Disposal of fill, including but not limited to earthen soils, rock, rubble, construction debris, woody debris, and trash, shall not be permitted in special flood hazard areas.
(E)
Fill shall not be placed in Coastal A Zones or coastal high hazard areas (V Zones).
(7)
Landscape design.
(A)
Where permitted, disturbance or removal of the natural vegetation in the floodplain shall be avoided or minimized.
(B)
Adequate ground cover shall be provided for soil stabilization.
(C)
Design of land contours and choice of plant materials shall direct surface runoff away from structures and shall not increase surface runoff onto neighboring properties.
(8)
Electrical and plumbing systems.
(A)
All new or substantially improved structures which are permitted in the floodplain based upon a waiver shall have electrical systems, equipment and components, and mechanical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and plumbing appliances, plumbing fixtures, duct systems, and other service equipment located at or above the flood protection elevation or V Zones and Coastal A Zones:
(i)
The bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member that supports the lowest floor shall be located at or above the base flood elevation.
(ii)
Basement floors that are below grade on all sides are prohibited.
These structures shall have electrical systems, equipment and components, and mechanical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and plumbing appliances, plumbing fixtures, duct systems, and other service equipment located at or above the elevation of the lowest floor. Electrical wiring systems are permitted to be located below elevation of the lowest floor provided they conform to the provisions of the electrical part of the building code for wet locations. If replaced as part of a substantial improvement, electrical systems, equipment and components, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and plumbing appliances, plumbing fixtures, duct systems, and other service equipment shall meet the requirements of this Section. The space below an elevated building shall either be free-of-obstruction or, if enclosed by walls, shall meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this Section.
(B)
No electrical distribution panels shall be permitted at an elevation less than three (3) feet above the elevation of the 1-percent annual chance (100-year) flood.
(9)
Public and private utilities. The design, placement and construction of all public and private utilities and facilities shall meet the following requirements:
(A)
New or replacement water supply systems and/or sanitary sewage systems shall be designed and flood proofed to eliminate or minimize infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into the flood waters, and to avoid impairment during flooding and to minimize flood damage. On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to or contamination from infiltration during conditions of flooding.
(i)
Cesspools and seepage pits are prohibited.
(ii)
Septic tanks are permitted provided they are securely anchored to resist buoyant forces during inundation.
(iii)
All pipes connected to sewage systems shall be sealed to prevent leakage.
(B)
All gas, electrical and other facility and utility systems shall be located, constructed and flood proofed to eliminate or minimize flood damage. The following applies to gas and liquid storage tanks:
(i)
Underground tanks in flood hazard areas shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement resulting from hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy, during conditions of the base flood.
(ii)
Above-ground tanks in flood hazard areas shall be anchored to a supporting structure and elevated to or above the base flood elevation, or shall be anchored or otherwise designed and constructed to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy, during conditions of the base flood.
(iii)
In flood hazard areas, tank inlets, fill openings, outlets and vents shall be:
(a)
At or above the base flood elevation or fitted with covers designed to prevent the inflow of floodwater or outflow of the contents of the tanks during conditions of the base flood; and
(b)
Anchored to prevent lateral movement resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy, during conditions of the base flood.
(C)
All new storm drainage facilities within and leading to or from the County floodplain shall be adequately designed, and installed to eliminate or minimize property damage resulting from the flood waters of the 1-percent annual chance (100-year) flood and to minimize adverse environmental impacts of their installation and use.
(10)
Recreational vehicles located within the floodplain may be exempted from the elevation and anchoring requirements provided they are:
(A)
Located on the site less than 180 consecutive days per year;
(B)
Fully licensed and ready for highway use; and
(C)
Properly permitted.
A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels and jacking system, is attached to the site by quick disconnect type utilities and securing devices, and has no permanently attached additions. If it cannot meet all of these criteria, the recreational vehicle must be considered a manufactured home and is subject to the elevation and construction standards of this Subtitle.
(11)
All notice of the flood hazard and the waiver action shall be placed on the deed or other title document of the property on which the waiver is granted.