# Sec. 4-210. Section 3111 Solar Energy Systems

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. 4-210. Section 3111 Solar Energy Systems

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 4-210 (2026)

(a) Section 3111.1 General. Solar energy systems shall comply with the requirements of this section, 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), and the 2021 National Fire Protection (NFPA) 1 Fire Code. The most stringent code shall apply.

(b) Section 3111.3 Photovoltaic solar energy systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with this section, the International Fire Code, NFPA 70, National Fire Protection (NFPA 1) Fire Code and the manufacturer's installation instructions.

(c) Section 3111.3.5.1.1. Required Non-combustible Perimeter Surface. A non-combustible perimeter surface between the solar panels and the security barrier fully enclosing all of the solar field is required and shall be at least ten (10) foot wide. A fifteen (15) foot wide brush free stable surface, similar to grasscrete pavers, with a required Vegetation Maintenance Plan is also acceptable.

  (1) Dirt with minor growth is not considered a noncombustible surface.

  (2) The entire width of the ten (10) foot noncombustible surface must be between the solar array panels and the Security Barrier.

    (a) Access roads which are between the solar panel fields and the Security Barrier shall comply with the Fire Access Road requirements. These can be considered as a part of the required width and shall be at least ten (10) foot wide noncombustible surfaces for the enclosure. Please note that Fire Access roads must meet all other code requirements.

    (b) If a loose material is provided for a non-combustible surface, then it must have a minimum depth of three (3) inches over compacted subgrade soil.

  (3) The entire width of the of the ten (10) foot wide noncombustible surface must be on the same finished grade with a maximum cross slope of 2%.

  (4) The ten (10) foot wide perimeter surface must meet all other codes for grading and storm water management.

(d) Section 3111.3.5.1.2. A Vegetation Maintenance Plan or a noncombustible base, approved by the AHJ shall be installed and maintained under and around the photovoltaic arrays and associated electrical equipment installations. Stationary fuel cell power systems and battery storage systems shall have a noncombustible base.

(e) Section 311.3.5.1.3. No point of the solar arrays shall be more than five hundred (500) feet of the fire department access road. When the sloping conditions of the site do not allow the fire department access for inside the solar field, this requirement can be exempt with the director or director's designee's approval.

(f) Section 3111.3.5.1.4(3). Vegetation Maintenance Plan.

  (1) If vegetation maintenance agreement is submitted for review, it must be notarized with the owner's signature. The original vegetation maintenance agreement must include the owner's printed name, full address, telephone number and email address.

  (2) The vegetation maintenance plans shall be accepted and approved by the AHJ.

(g) Section 3111.3.5.1.5. Security Barriers. Security barriers are required around the perimeter of all the ground mounted solar arrays.

(h) A sign on the fence shall be provided displaying the address of the property along with the phone number and name of the solar panel installation company.