Prince George's County, MD Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Prince George's County, MD, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 27-5202
- Front yard
- No accessory structure allowed
- Allowed location
- Side or rear yard
- Over 10 ft tall
- Extra 1 ft setback per ft
- Permits
- DPIE building permit may apply
Summary
Under the 2022 Zoning Ordinance (Sec. 27-5202), a shed or detached accessory structure may not sit in a required front yard. It may go in a side or rear yard, but any structure over 10 feet tall needs an extra foot of setback for every foot above 10.
…an accessory structure, other than a fence or wall, that is more than ten feet in height is set back from the nearest side or rear lot line one foot for every foot…the structure's height exceeds ten feet.
Full Breakdown
The M-NCPPC 2022 Zoning Ordinance (Subtitle 27) regulates accessory structures. Section 27-5202(c), General Standards for All Accessory Uses and Structures, sets the location rules: no accessory structure may sit within a platted easement, over a known utility, in a fire lane, or in a required front yard or corner-lot side yard. Sheds may be located in a required side or rear yard, but a structure taller than 10 feet must be set back from the nearest side or rear lot line one additional foot for every foot (or fraction) it exceeds 10 feet. Structures on corner or through lots must meet the same street setbacks as the main building.
Violations & Fines
Placing a shed in a front yard, in an easement, over a utility line, too close to a lot line, or building an oversized shed without a permit can trigger DPIE enforcement, fines, and an order to relocate or remove
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a shed in my front yard?
Do I need a permit for a shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
How Prince George's County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Prince George's County to another location·View the Maryland accessory structures overview
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