# Sec. 4-244. Scope and Administration: Section R105, Permits 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. 4-244. Scope and Administration: Section R105, Permits Prince George's County, Md., Code § 4-244 (2026) (a) Section R105.2, Work Exempt from Permit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except for property located within Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Overlay Zones, permits shall not be required for the following, provided that the construction does not result in any violation of this Subtitle and the building codes: (1) Building Permits: (a) A one-story detached accessory structure (tool, storage shed, playhouse and similar uses) on one- and two-family dwelling properties with less than one hundred fifty (150) square feet of floor space not designed or intended for occupation or habitation and limited to one (1) accessory structure only per property. (b) All forms of impervious area less than five hundred (500) square feet except for parking surfaces (per property/lot) and except for impervious area in the public road right of way. (c) A retaining wall not greater than two (2) feet in height unless supporting a structure. (d) Fence(s) four (4) feet or less in height a permit is not required except fences on a corner lot per Subtitle 27-421. (1) Any component of fencing, regardless of height, that obstructs the public or private pedestrian path, building structure, access to a cross-walk or sidewalk, or other paved portion of the right-of-way; shall be prohibited, (e) Satellite dish(es) not greater than two (2) feet in diameter and height. (f) Residential: Installation of siding including vinyl siding replacement, roofing, or storm door/window installations, provided that no construction is involved. (g) Painting, papering, tiling (floor), carpeting, installation of cabinets, countertops and similar finish work. (h) Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a one- and two-family dwelling occupancy (not any other use group or public swimming pool) that are less than 24 inches deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground provided a four-foot fence is installed around the pool perimeter. (i) Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwelling. (j) An agricultural building per Maryland Code, Pub. Safety § 12-508 and Subtitle 27. Consult with Prince George's Soil Conservation District for approval/permitting requirements. (k) Unless required by the Code Official or designee, replacement (in-kind) of non-fire rated interior/exterior doors, with same door hardware and windows with no structural modification. (l) If any of the above activities in this Section result in land disturbance that exceeds 5,000 square feet, exceeds 100 cubic yards of earth, and/or exceeds twelve inches of grade change, then a grading permit is required in accordance with Subtitle 32-127. (m) If any of the above activities in this Section alter drainage patterns, then a permit is required. (n) If any of the above activities involve the clearing of trees and/or woodland, the permittee shall receive approval or an exemption from The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission pertaining to tree conservation. (2) Mechanical Permits: (a) Portable heating appliance. (b) Portable ventilation equipment. (c) Portable cooling unit. (d) Modification of steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code that does not alter its approval (Listing) or make it unsafe. (e) Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval (Listing) or make it unsafe. (f) Portable evaporative cooler. (g) Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (0.75 kW) or less. (h) One-to-one in-kind replacement of plug-in appliances. (i) Replacement of gas appliances shall require a permit from Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. (3) Electrical: (a) Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. (4) Repairs/Replacement Permits: (a) Ordinary repairs and replacements, other than those that include cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; or include additions to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety. (b) Ordinary repairs shall include replacement-in-kind of the following: (1) Siding, roofing, gutters, leaders and downspouts, private sidewalks, driveways, patios, awnings and canopies (repair only), equipment, cabinets, slabs, handrails, window screens, or storm doors. (2) Not more than 80 square feet (7.4 sq. meters) of gypsum board (dry wall) excluding installation of fire-rated gypsum wall board or shaft liner. (c) Repair of non-fire rated interior/exterior doors and windows with no structural modification. (d) Computation of the cost of repairs for purposes of this Section shall exclude carpeting replacement, electrical panel capacity upgrades, painting, wallpapering, re-grading and landscaping, lighting fixture replacements, appliance replacements, bathroom cabinetry and fixture replacements, and modifications necessary to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") requirements. Each street address shall be considered a separate dwelling for application of this Section. All repairs for which a building permit is required that are conducted within a 365-day period shall be deemed a single cumulative repair cost for purposes of the application of this Section. (b) A new Section R105.2.1, Historic Area Work Permit Requirement. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section R105.2, a Historic Area Work Permit must be issued by the Historic Preservation Commission prior to any work on the exterior features of a property that contains a historic site or unclassified historic resource identified on the master plan for historic preservation or that is located within a local historic district. At the time the Historic Area Work Permit is issued, the Historic Preservation Commission shall notify the Director, or the Director's designee by transmitting a copy of the Historic Area Work Permit to the Director. The Director, or the Director's designee shall maintain and enroll the Historic Area Work Permit into the registry of issued permits maintained by the Director. The Director shall not require the issuance of a County building permit for ordinary repairs as defined in Section R105.2, or for ordinary maintenance as defined in Section 29-107(d), in addition to any Historic Area Work Permit that is determined by the Historic Preservation Commission to be required. (c) A new Section R105.2.2, Inventory of Historic Sites, Properties within Local Historic Districts, and Unclassified Historic Resources. The Director, or the Director's designee shall maintain an electronic inventory of historic sites, properties within local historic districts, and unclassified historic resources in Prince George's County. The Historic Preservation Commission shall transmit the listing of historic sites, properties within local historic districts, and unclassified historic resources to the Director or the Director's designee on or about January 1 and July 1 of each year. The listing shall be utilized to notify the Director or his Designee and applicants for County building permits issued by the Director or his Designee that the Historic Area Work Permit requirement described in Sec. R105.2.1 applies to any property that contains a historic site or unclassified historic resource or is located within a local historic district. The Director and/or his Designee shall not issue any permits for a property that contains a historic site or unclassified historic resource or is located within a local historic district, unless the Historic Preservation Commission has first issued a Historic Area Work Permit as required under Sec. R105.2.1. (d) A new Section R105.3.1.1, Required Documents for Permits Application. The application shall include: (1) any and all documents showing the business partners of the owner or lessee involved in the operation and or ownership of the building structure or use for which the permit is being sought; (2) any and all organizational documentation of the entity that owns, uses or leases the building or structure; (3) any and all documents showing who will operate the business; and (4) any other data and information supported by documentation that is required by the Director or the Director's designee deemed necessary for furtherance of the intent of this Code. (e) A new Section R105.3.1.2, Review of Application. The application will be reviewed to ensure that it conforms with all the requirements of the pertinent laws, including but not limited to the requirements of this Code, State and local laws and ordinances. An application for a permit will be reviewed by the Director or the Director's designee, in consultation with the Police Department and the Fire/EMS Department. The Director or the Director's designee shall have the authority to deny any application under the provisions of this Division and shall also have the authority to deny an application upon a violation of this Division. (f) A new Section R105.3.1.3, Application Exemption. The Director or the Director's designee may refuse to accept an application for a permit from any applicant: (1) who is or was in default on a previously issued permit, or who is the permittee listed on an expired permit which is not currently in the process of being extended by County administrative action, or who has not fully complied with the application process; (2) for any other reason the Director or the Director's designee deems necessary in furtherance of the intent of this Code; or (3) for any reason that is necessary to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the public. (g) A new Section R105.3.1.4, By Whom an Application is Made. Application for a permit shall be made by the owner or lessee of the building or structure, or the agent of either, or by the licensed engineer or architect employed in connection with the proposed work. If the application is made by a person other than the owner in fee, the applicant shall attest on the permit application or by separate written statement, that the proposed work is authorized by the owner in fee and that the applicant is authorized to make such application. The full names and addresses of the owner, lessee, applicant, and the responsible officer if the owner or lessee is a corporate body, shall be stated on the application. Subsequent permits will be issued in the name of the owner of record at time of permit issuance. (h) Section R105.3.2, Time Limitation of an Application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned twelve (12) months after the date of filing, unless such application has been diligently pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued. Extensions of time may be authorized by the Director or the Director's designee. The Director or the Director's designee may request any documentation or certification deemed necessary and assess an extension fee as appropriate. (i) Section R105.5, Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days after the issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days after the time the work is commenced. The Director or the Director's designee is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than one hundred eighty (180) days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause shall be demonstrated. Any permit issued for property within the area of a pending Sectional Map Amendment (as provided for in the County Zoning Ordinance) that is rezoned to a less intense zone, shall expire on its own terms upon approval of the Sectional Map Amendment by the District Council if a completed building foundation for a use not permitted in the less intense zone has not been completed. The Director or the Director's designee shall notify the permit holder of the expiration of the permit. (j) A new Section R105.5.1, Expiration of Permit and Correction of Code Violations. Any permit issued for residential property to correct a building code or housing code violation issued pursuant to Subtitle 4 or Subtitle 13 of the County Code shall be issued only for a period of time reasonably necessary to correct the violation, not to exceed ninety (90) days. The initial period of the permit shall be established by the Director or the Director's designee based upon the extent of the work required to correct the violation. The permit may be extended or renewed for an additional period of one hundred eighty (180) days if, in the opinion of the Director or the Director's designee, the applicant has demonstrated substantial progress to complete the work in accordance with the permit and has demonstrated substantial justification for failure to complete the work within the period of the permit. The Board of Administrative Appeals shall have no authority to grant an extension to the period of the permit. (k) A new Section R105.10, Building Location. No permit for building shall be issued for a structure that overlaps the County line. Location of the County line on the site plan shall be certified by a Professional Land Surveyor. (l) A new Section R105.1.1, Date and Hours of Operation Limits. All permits shall be issued with date and hours of operation limits listed as determined by the Director or the Director's designee. All permits shall be issued indicating that no work shall be performed during the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., unless work is performed pursuant to Section 4-120 of this Subtitle. (m) A new Section R105.1.2, After Hours Permit. Any request to work pursuant to a permit beyond permitted construction hours shall be made by application to the Code Official and shall be subject to noise regulations of Prince George's County Code and in accordance with the fee schedule established in Sec. 2-253.63. No after-hours permit shall be issued for work in an area zoned "residential" under the Zoning Regulations then in effect, or in an area within 500 feet (152 400 mm) of such residential zone, or within 500 feet (152 400 mm) of a building with sleeping quarters, unless the Code Official determines that not issuing such permit would pose a threat to public safety, health and welfare. (n) A new R105.1.3 Post Construction Permit. Any owner cited for unpermitted construction shall be required to obtain a "Post Construction Permit" to complete and certify that the unpermitted construction is in compliance with the Code or to remove the unpermitted work. The Post Construction Permit fee must be paid in addition to any other fees required to obtain permits. Post construction plans submitted for approval must be certified by a Maryland Registered Professional Engineer (PE) or a Maryland Licensed Architect.