Building Setbacks & Zoning in Prince George's County, MD (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In Prince George's County's RSF-65 zone, the standard single-family subdivision zone, Section 27-4202(e) sets minimum yard depths of 25 feet in front, 8 feet on each side, and 20 feet in the rear for both single-family detached homes and other permitted uses. On a corner lot, the side yard facing the street must be at least 25 feet deep, and DPIE checks these depths against the plat before issuing a building permit.
PG County RSF-65 Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Zoning Ordinance § 27-4202(e), RSF-65 Zone Intensity and Dimensional Standards; § 27-2202, Exceptions (Block Face Average)
Front yard depth, min. (ft) | 25 | 25 Side yard depth, min. (ft) (2) | 8 | 8 Rear yard depth, min. (ft) | 20 | 20 ... On corner lot, min. side yard depth alongside street = 25 ft. May be increased for certain purposes by approval of a special exception pursuant to Section 27-3604, Special Exception. ... If the average front setback on improved lots located on the same block face and in the same...
Structure Height Limits
Prince George's County limits principal structures in the RSF-65 zone, its standard single-family subdivision zone, to 40 feet under Section 27-4202(e); detached accessory buildings such as garages and sheds are capped at 15 feet. Height is measured from street grade to the roofline, and a short list of features, like chimneys and antennas, are exempt from the cap under Section 27-2202.
PG County RSF-65 Building Height Limit
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Zoning Ordinance § 27-4202(e), RSF-65 Zone Intensity and Dimensional Standards; § 27-2201, Measurement (Building Height); § 27-2202, Exceptions to Maximum Structure Height
Principal structure height, max. (ft) | 40 | 40 Accessory structure height, max. (ft) (3) | 15 | 15 ... Building Height The vertical distance between an approved "street" grade at a point at the middle of the front of the "building" to either: The highest point of roof surface of a flat roof; The deck line of a mansard roof; or The average height between the eaves and ridge of a gable, hip, or ...
Lot Coverage Limits
Prince George's County's Subtitle 27 Zoning Ordinance caps lot coverage in the RSF-65 zone, the single-family detached zone that governs most standard-lot subdivisions, at 35% of net lot area for a single-family detached home and 60% for any other principal use on the same lot. The Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE) checks this ratio against site plans before issuing a building or use and occupancy permit.
PG County RSF-65 Max Lot Coverage Rule
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Zoning Ordinance § 27-4202(e), RSF-65 Zone Intensity and Dimensional Standards; § 27-2201, Measurement (Lot Coverage)
Lot coverage, max. (% of net lot area) | 35 | 60 ... Lot coverage (expressed as a percentage of net lot area) shall be determined by measuring the total horizontal land area of the lot (in acres or square feet) covered by all buildings, covered structures, and areas used for vehicular access and parking of vehicles; dividing that coverage area by the net lot area ...; and multiplying the result...
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