Fire Regulations in Prince George's County, MD (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Prince George's County lets homeowners run gas or propane fire pits at single-family houses and townhouses under Sec. 11-268(f), but only within limits. A pit used on a deck must sit at least ten feet from the building, an adult has to watch it continuously with an extinguisher ready, and no pit may burn within thirty feet of a public street, sidewalk or right-of-way.
Fire Pit Rules in Prince George's County
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 11-268(f)
(f)Fixed, portable fireplaces and pits fueled by gas or propane are permitted at single family dwellings or townhouses when used in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. The devices described in subsection (f) are subject to the following conditions:(1)The device shall be attended at all times by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older, who is in direct view of the device. A fire ...
Fireworks
All consumer fireworks are illegal in Prince George's County, including the sparklers and ground-based sparkling devices that Maryland allows statewide. Only a licensed shooter conducting a permitted public display may use fireworks here.
Fireworks Rules in PG County, Maryland
Heavy RestrictionsMD State Fire Marshal, Law Enforcement Guide to Fireworks Identification (per Public Safety Article, Title 10)
Only gold-labeled sparklers, novelty items (i.e. party poppers, snap pops, snakes), & ground based sparkler devices are permitted for use in the State of Maryland. Except in Baltimore City, Montgomery and Prince George's counties where all fireworks are illegal.
Outdoor Burning
Open burning of leaves, brush, and trash is tightly controlled in Prince George's County. Maryland's air rules ban open burning county-wide from June 1 through August 31 and require a permit, with recreational fires the main exception.
Outdoor Burning Rules in PG County, Maryland
Heavy RestrictionsCOMAR 26.11.07.03A(1)
The control officer is satisfied that there is no practical alternate method to dispose of the material to be burned…; A hazardous condition or air pollution or nuisance will not be created;… and The material to be burned shall have originated on the premises on which it is to be burned.
Smoke Detectors
Prince George's County requires smoke alarms in every occupied dwelling under Sec. 11-258. Multifamily apartment owners had to install them by July 1, 1978, and hotel, motel and dormitory owners by July 1, 1980, with annual maintenance duties. One- and two-family homeowners follow Maryland's Public Safety Article, installing at least one battery or AC-powered alarm, and sellers must certify working alarms before a tenant moves in.
Prince George's County Smoke Alarm Rules
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 11-258(a)(1), (h)
(a)Requirements for multifamily apartment houses, hotels, motels, and dormitories.(1)Multifamily apartment house. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of each new or existing multifamily apartment house to install smoke alarms in each such multifamily dwelling unit intended to be used or originally built or designed to be used for residential purposes...They shall be installed by July 1,...
Propane Storage
Prince George's County keeps liquid petroleum gas storage outside living spaces. Sec. 11-263 requires customer supply tanks to sit outside buildings with Fire Chief-approved valve enclosures, and installations over 2,000 gallons aggregate capacity need a locked, six-foot industrial-type fence. Inside a residential building, LP-gas containers are capped at two small ICC-DOT cylinders of 2.5 pounds water capacity, tied to an approved torch assembly.
PG County Propane and LP-Gas Storage Limits
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County Code § 11-263(b), (d)
(b)Safeguarding of customers' supply tanks. Tanks supplying customers' installations shall be located outside of buildings. All valves and connections thereon shall be safeguarded by an enclosure approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Installations with an aggregate water capacity of greater than two thousand (2,000) gallons shall have the area, which includes the tank and con...
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