Prince George's County, MD Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum deadbolt throw
- 5/8 inch
- Peephole
- 180-degree view required
- Sliding doors
- Locking device mandatory
- Enforced by
- DPIE Building Official
- Penalty
- $500 fine or 90 days jail
Summary
Prince George's County's amended Housing Code requires every swinging entrance door on an apartment or multifamily dwelling unit to carry a deadbolt lock with at least a 5/8-inch throw, keyed outside and turn-knob inside. The Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement enforces the standard under Sec. 13-119(c) of the County Code, alongside companion peephole and sliding-door security rules.
"303.15.1 Locking devices. Any swinging entrance door to an individual apartment or multifamily dwelling unit shall be provided with a deadbolt locking device having a minimum throw of not less than five-eighths (5/8) of one inch and with the deadbolt capable of being activated by key from the outside and by turn-knob from the inside, so as to provide reasonable security against unauthorized entry. Door locks and the matter of installation shall be subject to the specific approval of the Building Official. The exterior door, door hinge, door lock, and door latch for each unit shall be maintained in functional condition."
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2026 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Prince George's County folds its multifamily security-hardware standard into the amended IPMC at Sec. 1) of the County Code. Every swinging entrance door into an individual apartment or multifamily dwelling unit must carry a deadbolt with a throw of at least five-eighths of an inch, opened by key from outside and a turn-knob from inside; the exterior door, hinge, lock, and latch must all stay in functional condition. The Building Official, under the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE), approves the device and its installation.
4 extends the same locking hardware to laundry rooms, storage areas, and trash rooms whenever the building's main entrance is not secured, with keys issued to tenants. DPIE enforces these standards countywide under Sec. 13-102, and Sec. 13-107(b) confirms the Housing Code applies to existing residential structures and the responsibilities of owners and operators. Landlords, not tenants, bear the compliance burden for common-area and unit-entry hardware.
Violations & Fines
A landlord who fails to install or maintain the required deadbolt, peephole, or sliding-door lock is subject to Sec. 13-111 (Section 106.4): a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of noncompliance charged as a separate offense. DPIE may also seek injunctive relief in court, and a notice of violation under Sec. 13-112 must be resolved before the unit changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the deadbolt rule apply to single-family houses?
What throw length does the deadbolt need?
Who approves the type of lock installed?
What happens if a landlord ignores a lock violation notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
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