Building Safety in Prince George's County, MD (2026)
11 rules for unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Prince George's County's Housing Code requires interior walls, windows, and doors to stay clean and sound, with peeling, chipping, or flaking paint repaired or removed. Sec. 13-120 adds a flat local rule on top of that maintenance duty: no lead-based paint may be applied to any interior surface of a residential structure in the County.
Prince George's County Bans Lead-Based Paint
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 13-120 (IPMC § 304.3)
"304.3 Interior surfaces. All interior surfaces, including windows and doors, shall be maintained in good, clean, and sanitary condition. Peeling, chipping, flaking, or abraded paint shall be repaired, removed, or covered. Cracked or loose plaster, decayed wood, and other defective surface conditions shall be corrected. No lead-based paint may be applied."
Elevator Maintenance
Prince George's County Code § 4-203 sends elevator regulation to the state rather than duplicating it locally: every elevator, escalator, and conveying system must meet the Maryland Elevator Code and ASME A17.1 as adopted by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, with actual safety inspections performed by a state unit, not the county.
PG County Elevator Maintenance Standards
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 4-203 (2021 IBC § 3001.3, as amended)
Section 3001.3 is amended to read as follows: "Reference Standards." Except as otherwise provided for in this Code, the design, construction, installation, alteration, repair and maintenance of elevators and conveying systems and their components shall conform to the State of Maryland Elevator Code, ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, as adopted by the Maryland Department of L...
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Prince George's County Code § 4-245 requires an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout every new one- and two-family dwelling, including modular and manufactured homes installed as new residences after December 31, 2010. A fully sprinklered home earns four construction breaks in exchange, from a skipped second exit to a reduced fire-separation rating.
PG County New-Home Fire Sprinkler Mandate
Heavy RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 4-245 (2021 IRC §§ R-313.1, R-313.5)
This Section, R-313.1, supersedes Section R-313 of the IRC. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout new one- and two-family dwellings, including industrialized (modular) and manufactured homes, installed as manufactured homes after December 31, 2010. The following reductions in construction requirements are permitted when a one- or two-family dwelling is fully sprinklered:(1)...
Childcare Center Rules
Prince George's County regulates child care facilities under County Code Sec. 5-119 and Sec. 5-126, enforced by the County Health Officer. A 'child care facility' is any operation serving seven or more unrelated children on a regular schedule, and its staff must pass a preemployment tuberculin skin test, file annual TB certification, wash hands after diapering, and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Prince George's County Child Care Facility Rules
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 5-126(a)
(a)Health Regulations Affecting Staff.(1)Preemployment Medical Examination. Each staff member shall have a preemployment medical examination including a tuberculin skin test and, if positive or otherwise indicated, a chest x-ray, and furnish certification that he is free of tuberculosis in a communicable stage. The report of the examination shall include the physician's statement that the indiv...
Door Locking Hardware
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.
Prince George's County Deadbolt Lock Rules
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 13-119(c) (IPMC § 303.15.1)
"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 en...
Green Building Code
Prince George's County tightens the International Energy Conservation Code's commercial provisions in Code §§ 4-257, 4-258, and 4-261: window solar heat gain in Climate Zone 4 drops from .40 to .35, occupant sensors must cut lighting within 30 minutes of a room clearing, and covered buildings must add on-site renewable energy meeting a set threshold.
PG County Green Building Energy Code Rules
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code §§ 4-257, 4-258, 4-261 (2021 IECC Table C402.3; §§ C405.2.1, C406.5)
Table C402.3 is amended to read as follows: SHGC is Climate Zone 4 is changed from .40 to .35. … Section C405.2.1 Occupant sensor controls shall be installed in all classrooms, conference/meeting rooms, employee lunch and break rooms, private offices, restrooms, storage rooms, janitorial closets, enclosed stairways, and other spaces 300 square feet (28m2) or less enclosed by floor-to-ceiling he...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Prince George's County requires carbon monoxide detectors in nearly every home with a gas heating system, fuel-burning appliance, or attached garage. New residences built since January 1, 2007 must hardwire detectors with battery backup, and by July 1, 2014, all existing one- and two-family homes needed at least a battery-powered unit on every level near sleeping quarters.
Prince George's County Carbon Monoxide Detector Law
Some RestrictionsPG County Code § 11-295
This Section shall apply to any new residential unit for which an initial building permit is issued on or after January 1, 2007 or any existing unit where there is a sale or transfer of ownership and which is to be constructed or has been constructed with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage. This Section shall also apply to all new and existing One- and Two-...
Building Permits
Prince George's County requires a building permit for nearly all construction; Section 4-244 lists the only exemptions. A permit is not needed for accessory structures under 150 square feet, driveways or patios under 500 square feet of impervious area, retaining walls under two feet, or fences four feet and under off a corner lot. Everything larger needs a DPIE permit.
When PG County Requires a Building Permit
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 4-244
(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, playho...
Electrical Permits
Prince George's County adopts the 2020 National Electrical Code by reference and requires a permit before any electrical work begins. The permit must be posted at the job site, and the work must be supervised by a licensed Master Electrician, Master Electrician Limited, or licensed HVAC contractor.
Prince George's County Electrical Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 9-112
No person shall perform electrical work until a permit has been obtained and a copy has been posted at the job site or presented to the owner or occupant. The work must be done under the personal and technical supervision of a licensed Master Electrician or Master Electrician, Limited, or a licensed Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and/or Heating Contractor. No permit shall be required for in-ki...
Plumbing Permits
Prince George's County does not issue its own plumbing permits; Section 4-202 of the County Code adopts the WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code to govern all plumbing installation, alteration, and repair, and Section 4-345(e) requires anyone applying for a county building permit to first show a valid Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission plumbing permit or house connection application.
PG County Plumbing Permits Come From WSSC
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code §§ 4-202, 4-345(e)
Section 2901.1 is amended to read as follows: "Scope." The provisions of this Chapter and the Plumbing and Gasfitting regulations adopted by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission known as the WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code and Fuel Gas shall govern the erection, installation, alteration, repairs, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing equipment and systems. ...
Building Inspections
Prince George's County Code § 4-118 requires an inspection of every new one-family dwelling and first-sale condominium unit before settlement, ending in a Certificate of Occupancy or a written list of deficiencies the builder must fix. Section 4-112 separately voids any building permit if no inspection happens within 180 days of issuance.
PG County Home Sale Inspection and C of O Rules
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code §§ 4-118(a), 4-112(a)(1) (2021 IBC §§ 111.1.1, 105.6)
Prior to the consummation of the sale (settlement) of any new, one-family dwelling, including the sale of a new condominium unit which is offered for sale for the first time, there shall be an inspection of the unit and premises by the Director or the Director's designee and a Certificate of Occupancy issued or a list of the violations or deficiencies requiring correction prior to issuance of s...
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