Editor's Note: 

Pursuant to the Council's adoption of CR-136-2021, effective April 1, 2022, the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance took effect, subject to a two-year transitional period approved by the Council via enactment of CB-013-2018 and CB-098-2021.

(CR-136-2021)

1. (a)
   Protect and promote the health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience, and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of the County;
2. (b)
   Implement the General Plan, Area Master Plans, Sector Plans, and Functional Master Plans;
3. (c)
   Promote the conservation, creation, and expansion of communities that will be developed with adequate public facilities and services;
4. (d)
   Guide the orderly growth and development of the County, while recognizing the needs of agriculture, housing, industry, and business;
5. (e)
   Support pedestrian-friendly, higher-intensity, mixed-use development in the appropriate locations, including support and emphasis upon a framework for multi-modal forms of mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and motorists;
6. (f)
   Support redevelopment and infill development within established areas of the County;
7. (g)
   Provide adequate light, air, and privacy;
8. (h)
   Encourage economic development activities that provide desirable employment and a broad, protected tax base;
9. (i)
   Ensure a high level of quality development in general, for the benefit of all citizens and residents, throughout the County;
10. (j)
    Promote the most beneficial relationship between the uses of land and buildings and protect landowners from adverse impacts of adjoining development;
11. (k)
    Protect the established character of residential communities and neighborhoods;
12. (l)
    Protect the County from fire, flood, panic, and other dangers;
13. (m)
    Provide sound, sanitary housing in a suitable and healthy living environment within the economic reach of all County residents;
14. (n)
    Prevent the overcrowding of land;
15. (o)
    Protect the rural character of the County in designated, appropriate locations;
16. (p)
    Ensure the provision of open space to protect scenic beauty and the natural features of the County, as well as provide adequate recreational space;
17. (q)
    Protect against undue noise, and air and water pollution, and to encourage the preservation of stream valleys, steep slopes, lands of natural beauty, dense forests, scenic vistas, and other similar features; and
18. (r)
    Protect and conserve the agricultural industry and natural resources.

(CB-015-2024)

1. (a)
   Development of land owned and used by the County and development of land owned by municipalities within the County;
2. (b)
   Development of land owned and used by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC);
3. (c)
   Development of land owned and used by the State of Maryland, unless State law authorizes local regulation by this Ordinance;
4. (d)
   Development owned and used by the government of the United States, its agencies, departments, or corporate services, to the full extent required by law;
5. (e)
   Development of a public use by a government or public entity, when that development is subject to Mandatory Referral Review; and
6. (f)
   Any building used exclusively for residential purposes, containing not more than three dwelling units, and constructed prior to November 29, 1949, shall be permitted to continue to be used for residential purposes, and shall not be required to meet the dimensional and intensity standards set forth in the zone in which it is located. Any alteration, enlargement, or extension of such a building after November 29, 1949 shall conform to the setback, yard, and height regulations of the zone in which it is located at the time it is or was constructed.

(CB-015-2024)

(CB-045-2023) 

Pursuant to the Council's adoption of CB-015-2024, effective September 3, 2024, Section 27-1605. Land Conveyed by the Prince George's County Housing Authority, the Revenue Authority of Prince George's County, or the Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County was repealed.

(CB-015-2024)

Pursuant to the Council's adoption of CB-015-2024, effective September 3, 2024, Section 27-1607. Property conveyed by the State for the University of Maryland was repealed.

(CB-015-2024)

(CB-015-2024)

1. (a)
   Any development application, including a permit application or an application for zoning classification, that is filed and accepted before April 1, 2022, but still pending final action as of that date, shall be reviewed and decided in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations in existence at the time of the submission and acceptance of the application. An application for zoning classification decided after the effective date of this Ordinance must result in a zone set forth within this Ordinance. If the application expires prior to being approved, future development shall be subject to the requirements of this Ordinance unless it is refiled in accordance with Section 27-1903.
2. (b)
   If the development application is approved, the development approval or permit shall remain valid for the period of time specified in the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations under which the application was reviewed and approved. Extensions of time available under the prior Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations remain available. If the approval is for a Conceptual Site Plan (CSP), special permit, Comprehensive Sketch Plan, or Comprehensive Design Plan (CDP), the approved CSP, special permit, Comprehensive Sketch Plan, or CDP shall remain valid for twenty (20) years from April 1, 2022 or the date of its approval, whichever is later, and any applications for subdivision or any zoning approval submitted under the CSP, special permit, Comprehensive Sketch Plan, or CDP during this time period shall be reviewed under the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations under which the CSP, special permit, Comprehensive Sketch Plan, or CDP were approved.
3. (c)
   Until and unless the period of time under which the development approval or permit remains valid expires, the project may proceed to the next steps in the approval process (including any subdivision steps that may be necessary) and continue to be reviewed and decided under the prior Zoning Ordinance and prior Subdivision Regulations.
4. (d)
   Notwithstanding the requirements of PART 27-7: Nonconforming Buildings, Structures, Uses, Lots, and Signs, once constructed, pursuant to a development application or permit approved under the prior Zoning Ordinance or Subdivision Regulations, all buildings, uses, structures, or site features will be legal and conforming, are "grandfathered," and are subject to the provisions of Section 27-1707.
5. (e)
   An applicant may elect at any stage of the development review process to have the proposed development reviewed under this Ordinance. If the applicant desires to utilize an approval under the prior Zoning Ordinance, any new application under this Ordinance shall conform with all prior applicable conditions of approval. If no approval under the prior Zoning Ordinance is proposed to be utilized, any future applications shall only but subject to the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance.
6. (f)
   Notwithstanding Sections 27-1703(a) through (e), above, any pending Conceptual Site Plan (CSP) or Detailed Site Plan (DSP) application incorporating a request to change the boundary of an approved Transit District Overlay Zone (TDOZ) or Development District Overlay Zone (DDOZ) or change the underlying zones in a TDOZ or DDOZ must result in a zone set forth within this Ordinance. Any pending CSP or DSP application seeking only to change the list of allowed uses, building height restrictions, and/or parking standards may continue to be processed and is not subject to the tolling procedures specified in Part 19 of the prior Zoning Ordinance.
7. (g)
   Any ongoing Functional Master Plan, Area Master Plan, or Sector Plan, and any ongoing Sectional Map Amendment, initiated under the prior Zoning Ordinance may proceed to be prepared, adopted, and approved under the Zoning Ordinance regulations under which such plan(s) and Sectional Map Amendment(s) were initiated.

(CB-068-2022; CB-050-2023; CB-053-2023; CR-022-2024; CB-015-2024) 

1. (a)
   Except for a zoning map amendment (ZMA) of any type, development approvals or permits of any type approved under the prior Zoning Ordinance or prior Subdivision Regulations prior to April 1, 2022 remain valid for the period of time specified in the prior Zoning Ordinance or prior Subdivision Regulations. Extensions of time which were available in the prior Zoning Ordinance or prior Subdivision Regulations shall remain available. If the approval is for a CSP, special permit, Comprehensive Sketch Plan, or CDP, it shall remain valid for twenty years from April 1, 2022, or the date of its approval, whichever is later, except for a CSP as to a Waterfront Entertainment Complex use, or CSP-03006 (PGCPB 05-205) and amendments thereto, which shall remain valid indefinitely. Further, approvals for a CSP, special permit, Comprehensive Sketch Plan, or CDP, may not be amended to increase the land area subject to such approval. In addition, a Basic Plan approved prior to the effective date of this Ordinance is grandfathered and can be amended.
2. (b)
   Unless the period of time under which the development approval or permit remains valid expires, the project may proceed to the next steps in the approval process (including any subdivision steps that may be necessary) and continue to be reviewed and decided under the prior Zoning Ordinance and prior Subdivision Regulations. For purposes of this Subsection, a property which has obtained approval of a stormwater management concept plan and a grading permit in accordance with Subtitle 32 of this Code, for which no development approval pursuant to the prior Zoning Ordinance or prior Subdivision Regulations is required, may proceed to obtain a building permit under the Zoning Ordinance in effect at the time the Subtitle 32 approvals were obtained. The Planning Director shall report to the County Council, at intervals no less than quarterly, a report of all development activity within the County.

   1. (1)
      This Subsection shall not apply to a subdivision approval for the development of multifamily dwelling units on an area consisting of less than six (6) acres of land and adjacent on two sides to property with a future land use designation of Residential, Medium Density Land Uses within an applicable area master plan or sector plan approved prior to 2007, which shall not be entitled to proceed to the next steps in the approval process (including any zoning steps that may be necessary) under the prior Subdivision Regulations and Zoning Ordinance.
3. (c)
   If the development approval or permit expires or is revoked (i.e., for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of approval), any subsequent development of the land shall be subject to the procedures and standards of this Ordinance, unless it is refiled in accordance with Section 27-1903.
4. (d)

   Development approvals or permits of any type approved under the prior Zoning Ordinance or prior Subdivision Regulations or otherwise subject to this Section are “grandfathered” and all buildings, uses, structures, or site features are deemed legal and conforming, and subject to the provisions of Section 27-1707. Notwithstanding the provisions in this Section, if the development approval is for a CSP, special permit, Comprehensive Sketch Plan, or CDP, development approvals shall have access to and utilization of the prior Zoning Ordinance and prior Subdivision Regulations for all purposes until April 1, 2042 pursuant to Subsection (a) above (unless a longer or an indefinite validity is applicable pursuant to Subsection (a) above) or until the property is rezoned pursuant to a Zoning Map Amendment (Section 27-3601) or Planned Development Zoning Map Amendment (Section 27-3602), whichever occurs first. All other development approvals shall have access to and utilization of the prior Zoning Ordinance and prior Subdivision Regulations for all purposes until April 1, 2032 or until the property is rezoned pursuant to a Zoning Map Amendment (Section 27-3601) or Planned Development Zoning Map Amendment (Section 27-3602), whichever occurs first.

5. (e)
   Subsequent revisions or amendments to development approvals or permits “grandfathered” under the provisions of this Section as authorized herein shall be reviewed and decided under the prior Zoning Ordinance (until April 1, 2032 or April 1, 2042, unless a longer or an indefinite validity is applicable in accordance with Subsection (a), above), unless the applicant elects to have the proposed revision or amendment reviewed under Subsection (f), below. Notwithstanding the requirements of Sections 27-289 and 27-325 of the prior Zoning Ordinance (2019 Edition, 2021 Supp.), revisions or amendments to such “grandfathered” development approvals or permits may construct one or more electric vehicle charging stations subject to the review and approval of the DPIE Director. Following the expiration of the grandfather period, subsequent revisions or amendments to development approvals or permits shall be subject to the provisions of Section 27-1707.
6. (f)
   An applicant may elect at any stage of the development review process to have the proposed development, or any portion thereof, reviewed under this Ordinance.

   1. (1)

      If the applicant desires to utilize an approval under the prior Zoning Ordinance and/or the prior Subdivision Regulations applicable to a single lot or parcel, any new application under this Ordinance shall conform with all prior applicable conditions of approval. If no approval under the prior Zoning Ordinance and/or the prior Subdivision Regulations is proposed to be utilized, any future applications shall only be subject to the requirements of this Ordinance.

   2. (2)
      If the applicant desires to utilize an approval under the prior Zoning Ordinance and/or the prior Subdivision Regulations applicable to lot(s) or parcel(s) in a project or development with multiple lots or parcels, any buildings, structures, uses, or site features approved or constructed pursuant to the prior approval shall be “grandfathered” and deemed legal and conforming, and all conditions of the prior approval(s) shall continue to be applicable to the proposed new development. 
7. (g)
   Property in the LCD Zone may proceed to develop in accordance with the standards and procedures of the Zoning Ordinance in existence prior to the effective date of this Ordinance, subject to the terms and conditions of the development approvals which it has received.
8. (h)
   Property in the LMXC Zone may proceed to develop in accordance with the standards and procedures of the Zoning Ordinance in existence prior to the effective date of this Ordinance, subject to the terms and conditions of the development approvals which it has received.
9. (i)
   Property in the LMUTC Zone may proceed to develop in accordance with the guidelines and standards of the specific Mixed-Use Town Center Development Plan in which the property is located. Except as modified by Section 27-4205(e) of this Ordinance, the procedures of the Zoning Ordinance in existence prior to the effective date of this Ordinance, including procedures relating to variance approvals and secondary amendments, shall also apply to property in the LMUTC Zone as appropriate.
10. (j)
    If a building permit authorized by an approved special exception was issued prior to October 16, 1975, existing development may continue and new development may proceed in accordance with that special exception approval, regardless of whether there is an approved application in the record. A graphic illustration of the actual development pursuant to the approval is considered the application.
11. (k)
    Property which was in the M-X-T Zone may proceed to develop in accordance with the standards and procedures of the prior Zoning Ordinance and this Section, subject to the terms and conditions of the development approvals it has received.
12. (l)
    Notwithstanding the provisions specified within this Section, no tobacco shop, electronic cigarette shop, or retail tobacco business that sells tobacco or electronic cigarette products for offsite use may be approved if it is located within a five-mile radius of another tobacco shop, electronic cigarette shop, or retail tobacco business that also sells tobacco or electronic cigarette products for offsite use.
13. (m)

    Any assemblage of properties abutting the inside of the Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495) that were rezoned from the M-X-T Zone to the IE (Industrial, Employment) Zone pursuant to the Countywide Sectional Map Amendment (CMA) may elect to develop under the provisions of this Ordinance for development in the CGO (Commercial, General and Office) Zone.

14. (n)
    Notwithstanding any other provision in this Ordinance to the contrary, the following shall apply to large projects as hereinafter defined:

    1. (1)
       Projects zoned M-X-T (Mixed Use – Transportation Oriented) under the prior Zoning Ordinance which were developed and constructed with at least 500,000 gross square feet of commercial floor area improvements on or before March 31, 2022 (and which have entitlements authorizing additional commercial and/or residential uses); or
    2. (2)
       Projects zoned M-X-T (Mixed Use – Transportation Oriented) under the prior Zoning Ordinance with an approved Conceptual Site Plan (s), Preliminary Plan(s) of Subdivision, Detailed Site Plan(s), and/or Final Record Plat(s), and which consist of more than four hundred (400) residentially-zoned lots or dwelling units or more than one hundred and fifty (150) gross acres of land designated for nonresidential uses, or both, which was/were valid on or before March 31, 2022.

    ​Such projects may, during the entire validity period of the project’s Conceptual Site Plan(s), continue to complete the development and/or make revisions or amendments thereto, which may include site modifications, expansions, building reconstruction (but not to include reconstruction of the entire project) and changes in occupancy or ownership. During the period while the Conceptual Site Plan(s) remains valid, the project shall also have access to the use table of the M-X-T (Mixed Use – Transportation Oriented) Zone of the prior Zoning Ordinance for any purpose including use and occupancy permits for new tenants of any type. Revisions or amendments may include revisions or amendments to the approved Conceptual Site Plan(s), Preliminary Plan(s) of Subdivision, and/or Detailed Site Plan(s).

    Upon expiration of the Conceptual Site Plan(s), all buildings, structures, and site elements either constructed or approved for construction pursuant to approved Detailed Site Plan(s) shall remain legal and conforming and shall not be subject to the provisions of PART 27-7: Nonconforming Buildings, Structures, Uses, Lots, and Signs, of the current Zoning Ordinance. The approved Detailed Site Plan(s) shall constitute the approved development plans for that portion of the project, and the buildings, structures, and site elements shall not be required to conform to the development regulations of the current Zoning Ordinance and/or the current Subdivision Regulations. Only the land areas within a project as defined under Subsections (1) and (2) above, and which are proposed for future development, shall be required to conform to the provisions of the current Zoning Ordinance and/or the current Subdivision Regulations. 

(CB-068-2022; CB-103-2022; CB-021-2023; CB-050-2023; CB-053-2023; CB-068-2023; CB-015-2024) 

1. (a)
   CB-008-2021 (Chapter 7, 2021 Laws of Prince George’s County, Maryland) AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING C-O ZONE for the purpose of amending the Commercial Table of Uses Permitted to permit Townhouse uses in the C-O (Commercial Office) Zone, under certain circumstances.
2. (b)
   CB-050-2021 (Chapter 39, 2021 Laws of Prince George’s County, Maryland) AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING R-E ZONE for the purpose of amending the residential table of uses to permit development of a mix of residential and commercial/retail uses in the R-E (Residential Estate) Zone of Prince George’s County, under certain circumstances.
3. (c)
   CB-17-2019 (Chapter 27, 2019 Laws of Prince George’s County, Maryland) AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING R-A ZONE for the purpose of permitting Townhouse and One-Family detached dwelling uses in the R-A (Residential Agricultural) Zones of Prince George’s County, under certain circumstances.
4. (d)
   CB-088-2018 (Chapter 54, 2018 Laws of Prince George’s County, Maryland) AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING CLASS 3 FILL RECLAMATION for the purpose of permitting limited Class 3 fill uses as a method of reclaiming former surface mining properties for public use in the R-A (Residential Agricultural) Zones of Prince George’s County, under certain circumstances.
5. (e)
   CB-089-2018 (Chapter 55, 2018 Laws of Prince George’s County, Maryland) AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING CLASS 3 FILL RECLAMATION for the purpose of permitting, without the requirement for a special exception, limited Class 3 fill uses as a method of reclaiming former sand and gravel mining properties for public use in the R-A (Residential-Agricultural) Zone, under certain circumstances.

(CB-069-2022; CR-003-2023; CB-013-2023; CB-050-2023; CB-053-2023) 

1. (a)
   A legal nonconforming building, structure, site feature, or use in existence under the prior Zoning Ordinance on March 31, 2022, which is not in conformance with the requirements of the zone in which it is located under this Ordinance on April 1, 2022, remains a legal nonconforming building, structure, site feature, or use, and shall be subject to the requirements of this Section.
2. (b)
   A legal conforming building, structure, site feature, or use in existence under the prior Zoning Ordinance on March 31, 2022, which is not in conformance with the requirements of the zone in which it is located under this Ordinance on April 1, 2022, or a building or structure constructed pursuant to development applications approved under Sections 27-1703, 27-1704, or 27-1900 of this Ordinance which is not in conformance with the requirements of the zone in which it is located at the time the building or structure is entitled to issuance of a use and occupancy permit, shall be a legal conforming building, structure, site feature, or use under this Ordinance until and unless the District Council approves a new zone for the property after the expiration of any grandfathering provisions provided in Sections 27-1704(a) and (d) (as applicable) that would create a new nonconforming use.

   1. (1)
      Such legal conforming buildings, structures, and site features:

      1. (A)
         May be repaired or maintained;
      2. (B)
         May be altered, extended, or enlarged by the greater of ten percent (10%) of the gross square footage or 30,000 gross square feet without approval of a detailed site plan, provided the alteration, extension, or enlargement conforms to the building line setback or build-to line, yard, and height regulations of the zone in which the building, structure, or use was located prior to April 1, 2022; and
      3. (C)
         ​​May be restored or reconstructed if unintentionally destroyed by fire or other calamity if a building permit for such restoration or reconstruction is issued within two (2) calendar years from the date of destruction, and construction pursuant to the permit has begun within six (6) calendar months after the date of issuance (or lawful extension of the permit and proceeds to completion in a timely manner.
   2. (2)
      Such legal conforming uses:

      1. (A)
         May not be discontinued for a period exceeding three (3) years unless either:

         1. (i)
            The building or structure in which the use is being conducted is being restored or reconstructed pursuant to Section 27-7103(c)(1)(C);
         2. (ii)
            The Planning Board determines upon written request that the conditions of nonoperation were beyond the control of the person who was in control of the property during the period of nonoperation; or
         3. (iii)
            The discontinuation is for the sole purpose of correcting Code violations.
      2. (B)
         Shall remain subject to all conditions applicable to such use under the prior Zoning Ordinance including any conditions of approval associated with an approved Special Exception.
3. (c)
   Any alteration, extension, or enlargement which exceeds ten percent (10%) of the gross square footage or 30,000 square feet, whichever is greater, shall require approval of a detailed site plan. The detailed site plan shall include regulations pertaining to the height of structures, lot size and coverage, frontage, setbacks, density, and any other requirements related to the property or project applicable to the development. In no event may an alteration, extension, or enlargement:

   1. (1)
      Increase the gross floor area of an existing development by more than one hundred percent (100%); or
   2. (2)
      Allow the demolition and reconstruction of more than fifty percent (50%) of an existing development.

Upon approval of the detailed site plan, the regulations shown on the approved site plan shall constitute the regulations of the property or project and shall guide any future modifications or revisions. The detailed site plan shall be approved in accordance with Section 27-3605(e)(8).

(CB-077-2022; CR-003-2023; CB-014-2023; CB-015-2024) 

(CB-050-2023; CB-053-2023; CR-022-2024; CB-015-2024)

1. (a)
   If the development proposal will require an evidentiary hearing before the Planning Board, the applicant shall schedule and participate in a pre-application conference.
2. (b)
   The applicant shall provide a statement of justification which shall explain why the Applicant has elected not to develop a specific property pursuant to the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.
3. (c)
   The Planning Director shall submit quarterly reports to the District Council as to the development applications proceeding under the prior Ordinance.

 (CB-068-2022)

(CB-050-2023; CB-053-2023; CB-015-2024)