Renovation permits in Prince George's County, Maryland

What needs a permit

DPIE's Permit Your Project flyer says you need a permit before:

• Improving your kitchen or renovating a bathroom
• Finishing your basement
• Building a deck, ramp, or chairlift
• Putting up a fence taller than 4 feet
• Building an addition, a large shed, a carport, a garage, or a driveway

DPIE defines an alteration as any construction or renovation to an existing structure other than a repair or an addition. Interior alterations need structural and architectural drawings; exterior alterations also need a site plan. An electrical permit is required for installing, relocating, repairing, or maintaining wiring.

What is exempt

DPIE's exemption list includes:

• One one-story detached accessory structure, such as a shed, under 150 square feet per property, not designed for living space
• Paving under 500 square feet, other than parking surfaces
• Retaining walls up to 2 feet high, unless they support a structure
• Fences up to 4 feet high

DPIE's walk-through flyer adds that replacing shingles only needs no permit (new roof sheathing does), and neither does replacing windows and doors with the same size. A second shed on the property needs a permit at any size.

Same-day Virtual Walk-Through for homeowners

DPIE's Virtual Walk-Through is for homeowner permits on single-family homes and townhomes. There is no appointment; you check in online at the Virtual Permit Center, and DPIE says permits are issued the same day in most cases. It runs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., one application per address per day. Homes on a private well or septic system cannot use it.

DPIE's list of qualifying projects (rev. October 2024) includes one-level interior remodels with no structural work, basement finishing, one-story additions up to 500 square feet with no shared walls, one-level decks up to 1,000 square feet, accessory structures up to 500 square feet, fences, porches, and window and door work. Historic properties and properties in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area need those approvals first.

Applying, fees, and deadlines

• Since July 15, 2024, building and trade permits are applied for in Momentum, the county's online permit system, with plans uploaded to ePlan.
• A new DPIE fee schedule took effect October 16, 2026, and applies to all projects, including permits not yet issued. Check the current fee schedule before you budget.
• A permit expires if no work starts within 180 days of issuance.
• DPIE says penalties of $1,000 per day can be assessed for working without a permit or outside its scope.
• Approved, signed plans must be on site for every inspection, or the inspection is canceled and a re-inspection fee applies.

DPIE says it has had lengthy delays in plan review, so plan ahead. DPIE's main number is 301-636-2000, and its Permitting and Licensing Division is at 301-636-2050.

Inspections

Request inspections online or through DPIE's phone system at 301-755-9000 for the next business day. Be on site with your permit and approved plans.

Plumbing, gas, and electrical

Plumbing and gas permits come from WSSC Water, not DPIE. DPIE's alteration page says plumbing and gas work requires a WSSC-licensed master plumber or gasfitter. WSSC does offer a homeowner plumbing permit for an owner who lives in the home and does the work personally, after a notarized affidavit and a written exam. Homeowners cannot do gas fitting or connect to WSSC's service.

For electrical work, DPIE's alteration page says a Maryland-licensed master electrician is required, while its electrical FAQ says a homeowner may do limited work that meets the county electrical code. Ask DPIE before you plan to do any electrical work yourself.

Homeowner permits and MHIC

Home improvement contractors must be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). A homeowner can get building permits for their own work, and DPIE's notarized Homeowner Improvement Authorization Letter has the owner certify that they will not hire anyone without a valid MHIC license. Our contractor checklist shows how to look one up.

Historic sites and districts

For designated historic sites and properties in county historic districts, the Historic Preservation Commission requires a Historic Area Work Permit (HAWP) for exterior changes such as roofing, siding, windows, doors, additions, fences, and solar, in addition to any county or city permits. Interior projects and minor repairs without alteration generally do not need one. There is no application fee, and many applications are signed off by staff without a commission hearing. The Historic Preservation Section is at 301-952-3680.

Bowie, College Park, Laurel, and other cities

The county has 27 municipalities, and DPIE says permit requirements vary by municipality. Check the municipal boundary layer in PGAtlas to see whether your home is in one. Some examples:

• Bowie: property owners need permits from both the county and the city for additions, decks and porches, driveways, larger sheds, fences over 4 feet, garage conversions, basement remodels, and solar. The city permit is not needed for plumbing, electrical, or HVAC.
• College Park: a city building permit is required for residential fences, even when the county does not require one.
• Laurel reviews some work itself, including decks, and has its own Historic District Commission.

To plan a Prince George's County project with us, start a project.