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Prince George's County, MD Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing code
IPMC § 302 as amended, PG Code § 13-118
Weed height limit
12 inches maximum
Vehicle storage rule
Inoperable vehicles barred unless fully enclosed
Exterior lighting minimum
1.25 lumens per square foot
Appeal window
10 calendar days to Administrative Hearing Unit

Summary

Prince George's County enforces the International Property Maintenance Code with local amendments under Code Sec. 13-118, requiring every rental's exterior kept clean and sanitary, weeds capped at 12 inches, walkways free of hazards, and accessory structures like sheds and fences kept structurally sound.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Prince George's County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

"302.1 Sanitation. All exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition. ... Except as otherwise specifically authorized by law, the open storage on residential property of any household appliance, motor vehicle parts, building materials, furniture, weeds, dead trees, garbage, rubbish, or similar items or materials, or residue therefrom, is prohibited, regardless of age or condition." ... "302.4 Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of twelve (12) inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited." ... "302.8 Motor vehicles. It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of a structure used for human habitation to utilize, or allow to be utilized, the premises for the storage of any motor vehicle which is wrecked, dismantled, inoperable, or not currently licensed."

View official code

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

Sec. 13-118 rewrites Section 302, 'Exterior Property Areas,' of the adopted 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (Sec. 13-113) to set Prince George's County's habitability floor for every rental's grounds. 1, as amended, requires all exterior property be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition and bans open storage on residential property of any household appliance, motor vehicle parts, building materials, furniture, weeds, dead trees, garbage, rubbish, or similar items, regardless of age or condition. 4 caps weeds and plant growth at twelve inches and separately prohibits all noxious weeds outright.

25 lumens per square foot. 7 extends the standard to accessory structures, requiring detached garages, storage sheds, fences, and steps be kept structurally safe and sound and in good repair. 8 bans storing any wrecked, dismantled, inoperable, or unlicensed vehicle on residential property unless it sits in a fully enclosed garage, and defines 'operable' as capable of being driven under its own power for at least 100 feet. 10 even regulates firewood storage, requiring it stacked at least 18 inches off the ground in open racks, or 6 inches from a weed-free surface, so it cannot shelter rodents.

Enforcement runs through the Code Official at DPIE, with an appeal to the Administrative Hearing Unit available under Sec. 13-116 within 10 calendar days of a violation decision.

Violations & Fines

A landlord or occupant who fails to correct a Section 302 violation after notice from the Code Official is subject to enforcement under Subtitle 13, and property owners can appeal an enforcement decision to the Administrative Hearing Unit only if they file written notice within 10 calendar days of the Code Official's decision under Sec. 13-116(a). The Administrative Hearing Unit can grant a variance only where strict enforcement would work a manifest injustice, and its decisions are subject to further judicial review in Circuit Court.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can grass or weeds get on a Prince George's County rental before it's a violation?
No more than 12 inches. Section 302.4, as amended by Sec. 13-118(d), caps weeds and plant growth at twelve inches and bans noxious weeds outright, regardless of height, on any exterior property in the County.
Can a landlord store a broken-down car on a rental property?
Only inside a fully enclosed garage. Section 302.8 bars storing any wrecked, dismantled, inoperable, or unregistered vehicle on residential property otherwise, and defines 'operable' as able to be driven under its own power for at least 100 feet.
How do I appeal a property maintenance violation notice in PG County?
File a written appeal with the Administrative Hearing Unit within 10 calendar days of the Code Official's decision, per Sec. 13-116(a). The Unit can grant a variance only if enforcing the Code as written would cause a manifest injustice.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Prince George's County

All Prince George's County rules

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