On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Prince George's County
Required for work listed in the county's permit-required matrix, including many additions, alterations, structural repairs, decks, sheds, retaining walls, electrical/mechanical work, and other residential and commercial work.
One-story detached accessory structure on one- and two-family dwelling properties under 150 square feet, limited to one such accessory structure per property, not for habitation
Paving under 500 square feet except parking surfaces
Retaining wall not greater than 2 feet high unless supporting a structure
Fence not greater than 4 feet high
Additional exemptions listed in county exempt-work PDF and Subtitle 4 / IBC Section 105
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structure on one- and two-family dwelling properties under 150 square feet, limited to one such accessory structure per property, not for habitation
- Exempt Paving under 500 square feet except parking surfaces
- Exempt Retaining wall not greater than 2 feet high unless supporting a structure
- Exempt Fence not greater than 4 feet high
- Exempt Additional exemptions listed in county exempt-work PDF and Subtitle 4 / IBC Section 105
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the county before proceeding.
Required documents
- County permit application
- Property description
- Work description
- Site/plot plans
- Architectural/structural drawings
- Trade plans
- Agency approvals and other supporting documents as required
- Building code
- County publishes 2021 International Building Code and Subtitle 4 Prince George's County Building Code; county guidance says the State and County adopt ICC codes.
- Permit validity
- Permit expires if work does not commence within 180 days after issuance; county also advises at least one inspection within six months to keep permit active.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may build their own home; for new single-family dwelling permits the county requires either a Prince George's County Building Contractor's License or a Homeowner Waiver from the Board of Registration for Building Contractors.
- Contractor requirements
- County building contractor license for applicable builders; state registrations and MHIC/Maryland Home Builder requirements also apply depending on project type.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: VPC homeowner permits can be same-day if complete; no universal countywide review time posted for standard permits.
- 01 Confirm whether the work requires a permit using the county permit guidance pages and exempt-work guidance.
- 02 Create a Momentum account and, where required, an ePlan account.
- 03 Submit the permit application in Momentum with property details, work description, applicant information, and required plans/documents.
- 04 Upload plan sets and supporting documents in ePlan if the application routes to plan review.
- 05 County and outside-agency review occurs as applicable, including Health Department, Soil Conservation District, WSSC, M-NCPPC, SHA, floodplain, stormwater, or other reviews.
- 06 Pay fees in Momentum once invoiced/approved.
- 07 Receive the permit through Momentum and keep approved plans on site.
- 08 Schedule inspections by IVR or online as applicable and obtain final approval.
Typical processing time: VPC homeowner permits can be same-day if complete; no universal countywide review time posted for standard permits.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective See current DPIE fee schedule
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Varies by permit type and offense category; see current DPIE fee schedule
02
Plan check fee
Included in the current DPIE fee schedule by permit type.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed; current schedule includes valuation-based building permit calculations, surcharges, flat review fees, and fixed penalties depending on permit class.
04
Reinspection fee
Post-construction permit fees and other penalties listed in current DPIE fee schedule; county also cites enforcement for unpermitted work.
Momentum users pay in Momentum; legacy ePermits payments stay in ePayments; alternate payment methods handled through DPIE payments page.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective See current DPIE fee schedule) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- IVR (phone)
- Online scheduling for some permits (online)
- Inspection hours
- IVR scheduling available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Typical sequence: Varies by permit type; county instructions require inspections at required milestones and county notes permits need inspections whenever permits are required.
Virtual inspections available for some cases.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Prince George's County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD? ▸
Required for work listed in the county's permit-required matrix, including many additions, alterations, structural repairs, decks, sheds, retaining walls, electrical/mechanical work, and other residential and commercial work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Varies by permit type and offense category; see current DPIE fee schedule. Fees are calculated as: Mixed; current schedule includes valuation-based building permit calculations, surcharges, flat review fees, and fixed penalties depending on permit class.. Plan check fee: Included in the current DPIE fee schedule by permit type..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the work requires a permit using the county permit guidance pages and exempt-work guidance. 2. Create a Momentum account and, where required, an ePlan account. 3. Submit the permit application in Momentum with property details, work description, applicant information, and required plans/documents. 4. Upload plan sets and supporting documents in ePlan if the application routes to plan review. 5. County and outside-agency review occurs as applicable, including Health Department, Soil Conservation District, WSSC, M-NCPPC, SHA, floodplain, stormwater, or other reviews. 6. Pay fees in Momentum once invoiced/approved. 7. Receive the permit through Momentum and keep approved plans on site. 8. Schedule inspections by IVR or online as applicable and obtain final approval.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD typically run VPC homeowner permits can be same-day if complete; no universal countywide review time posted for standard permits.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structure on one- and two-family dwelling properties under 150 square feet, limited to one such accessory structure per property, not for habitation; Paving under 500 square feet except parking surfaces; Retaining wall not greater than 2 feet high unless supporting a structure; Fence not greater than 4 feet high; Additional exemptions listed in county exempt-work PDF and Subtitle 4 / IBC Section 105. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the county before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Prince George's County, MD via: IVR, Online scheduling for some permits.
last verified April 2026
source Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE), Permitting and Licensing Division ↗
entry id permits/maryland/prince-georges/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE), Permitting and Licensing Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.