7 rules for unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Prince George's County's 2022 Zoning Ordinance sets countywide fence heights: 4 feet within a required front yard, build-to zone, or corner-lot side yard, and 6 feet in any other required yard. Municipalities like Bowie and Laurel may set their own limits.
PG County Zoning Ordinance § 27-6603(a), Table 27-6603(a)
Within a required front yard, build-to zone, corner lot side yard in front of the principal building … 4 … Within any other required yard or in corner side yard behind the front plane of the principal building … 6
Prince George's County requires a building permit to construct any fence taller than 4 feet. Fences 4 feet and under are exempt unless in a historic or protected area or on a corner lot. Permits are issued by DPIE.
Prince George's County's Zoning Ordinance allows fences on the shared property line and requires the finished side to face outward. Fence style, materials, and color must be uniform along a single lot side. Cost-sharing between neighbors is a private matter.
PG County Zoning Ordinance § 27-6606(a)
…wherever a fence or wall is installed, if one side … appears more "finished" than the other …, then the more "finished" side of the fence shall face the exterior of the lot rather than the interior of the lot.
Prince George's County's Zoning Ordinance limits retaining walls to 6 feet in height from finished grade, allowing up to 10 feet only for foundations, driveways, or as expressly permitted. Walls over 6 feet must meet the zone's building setbacks and terraces need landscaping.
PG County Zoning Ordinance § 27-6609(a)-(b)
A retaining wall may be permitted to support steep slopes but should not exceed six feet in height from the finished grade, except for: A structure's foundation wall, or … a driveway from the street to a garage … a retaining wall shall not exceed ten feet in height.
Prince George's County's Zoning Ordinance requires fences to stay outside the public right-of-way, keep the finished side out, use uniform style per lot side, and avoid a 25-foot sight triangle at intersections. Fences over 4 feet also need a DPIE building permit.
PG County Zoning Ordinance § 27-6602(d)
…fences and walls shall not be allowed within the triangle formed by the intersection of the street lines and points on the street lines 25 feet from the intersection, or in a location that … will create a traffic hazard.
Prince George's County's Zoning Ordinance bans barbed and razor wire, chicken wire, corrugated metal, plywood, sheet metal, and electrified above-ground fences in most zones. Agricultural land and approved security plans have narrow exceptions.
PG County Zoning Ordinance § 27-6604(c)
The following fence types or materials are prohibited: Barbed and/or razor wire, unless approved as part of a security exemption plan … Fences constructed of chicken wire, corrugated metal, fabric materials, fiberboard, garage door panels, plywood, rolled plastic, sheet metal, debris, or waste materials…
Prince George's County's Zoning Ordinance allows fences of masonry, stone, ornamental metal, painted or rot-resistant wood, wood-look composite, wrought iron, welded steel, black aluminum, and vinyl. Transit-Oriented and Activity Center zones require higher-end materials.
PG County Zoning Ordinance § 27-6604(a)
…fences and walls shall be constructed of any one or more of the following materials: Masonry, concrete, or stone; Ornamental metal…; Painted wood, pressure treated wood, or rot-resistant wood such as cedar, cypress, or teak; Composite materials designed to appear as wood, metal, or masonry…; Vinyl…
See every category we cover for Prince George's County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Prince George's County Ordinance Hub →