2 INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
This Section is intended to provide a systematic framework for identifying, descripting, categorizing, consolidating, and distinguishing land uses in a way that makes it easier to determine whether a particular use, activity, or combination of activities should be considered a form or example of a use listed as an allowable principal use in the use tables in Section 27-5101, Principal Use Tables. This Section is also intended to provide descriptions of the Principal Use Categories in which specific principal use types are classified by this Ordinance.
The following three-tiered hierarchy of use classifications, use categories, and use types is provided to organize uses listed in Section 27-5101, Principal Use Tables.
Principal Use Classifications are very broad and general (e.g., Rural and Agricultural Uses; Residential Uses; Public, Civic, and Institutional Uses; Commercial Uses, and Industrial Uses).
Principal Use Types identify specific principal land uses whose characteristics are considered to fall within the various use categories. For example, bars, lounges, small-scale alcohol production facilities, and restaurants are use types within the Eating or Drinking Establishment Use Category. Each use type is defined in Section 27-2500, Definitions. While the Residential and Public, Civic, and Institutional principal use classifications tend to include relatively specific and well–defined principal use types, the Commercial and Industrial use classifications tend to include broader use types, reflecting the wider range and ever-growing variety of commercial and industrial uses in the County.
The Agriculture/Forestry Uses category includes use types related to: the production of field crops, fruits, vegetables, ornamental and flowering plants, and the breeding, raising, or keeping of livestock, poultry, swine, bees, fish, shellfish, or other animals for food or other marketable products. The Agriculture/Forestry Uses category also includes forestry or silvicultural activities related to the planting, management, protection, and harvesting of trees for timber or other forest products. Use types include but are not limited to: agriculture and forestry; the keeping of horses or ponies; other agricultural uses; community gardens; and similar uses. This use category does not include the processing of animal or plant products for wholesale purposes off the site of where the agricultural product is grown or raised, which is generally considered a manufacturing use type.
The Agriculture/Forestry-Related Uses category includes use types that provide support and services to agricultural and forestry uses, or are otherwise closely related to agricultural or forestry production in their form and function. Use types include but are not limited to: equestrian centers; riding stables; farm machinery and implement sales and rental (or repair); farm supply sales; farm markets; farm-based alcohol production; food hubs; agricultural research facilities; rural corporate retreats; sawmills; and similar uses.
The Open Space Uses category includes use types focusing on open space areas largely devoted to natural landscaping and outdoor recreation, and tending to have few structures. Use types include but are not limited to: parks (including recreational and natural area parks); greenways; arboretums and botanical gardens; and similar uses. This use category does not include athletic fields, golf courses, golf driving ranges, or other primarily outdoor recreational uses (categorized in the Recreation/Entertainment Uses category).
The Household Living Uses category includes use types that provide for the residential occupancy of a dwelling unit by a single family. Tenancy is generally arranged on a month-to-month or longer basis. Use types include but are not limited to: single-family detached dwellings; two-family dwellings; three-family dwellings; multifamily dwellings; townhouse dwellings, live-work dwellings; artist residential studios; and mobile homes. This use category does not include residential use types that generally involve some level of managed personal care for a larger number of residents (e.g., assisted living facilities or boarding houses), which are categorized in the Group Living Uses category.
The Group Living Uses category includes use types providing for the residential occupancy of a group of living units by persons who typically do not constitute a single family (but not always) and may receive some level of personal care. Individual living units often consist of a single room or group of rooms without cooking and eating facilities (even though some do have such facilities), but unlike a hotel or motel, are generally occupied on a monthly or longer basis. Use types may include but are not limited to: assisted living facilities; group residential facilities; boarding or rooming houses; convents or monasteries; fraternity or sorority houses; and similar uses. Although continuing care retirement communities include household living uses (e.g., dwellings) and health care uses (e.g., nursing homes), they are categorized as a group living use because of their focus on the present or future provision of personal care to senior citizens and their integration of various uses as a single cohesive development. This use category does not include use types where persons generally occupy living units for periods of less than 30 days (e.g., hotel or motels), which are categorized in the Visitor Accommodation Uses category. It also does not include use types where residents or inpatients are routinely provided more than modest health care services (e.g., nursing homes), which are categorized in the Health Care Uses category, or commercial recreation facilities, which are categorized in the Recreation/Entertainment Uses category.
The Communication Uses category includes uses and facilities providing regional or community-wide communications services, such as wireless communications, radio and television broadcasting, and newspaper or magazine publishing. Services may be publicly or privately provided and may include on-site personnel. Use types include but are not limited to: towers and antennas for wireless communications; broadcasting studios; newspaper or magazine publishing facilities; and similar uses.
The Community Service Uses category includes use types of a public, nonprofit, or charitable nature providing a local service (e.g., child care, cultural, recreational, counseling, training, religious) directly to people of the community. Generally, such uses provide ongoing continued service on-site or have employees at the site on a regular basis. The category generally does not include uses with a residential component. Use types include but are not limited to: adult day care facilities; child care centers; community centers/facilities; noncommercial or public cultural facilities (e.g., libraries or museums); nonprofit free-lending library; eleemosynary or philanthropic institutions; emergency services facilities; places of worship; or similar uses. This use category does not include private or commercial health clubs or recreational facilities (categorized in the Recreation/Entertainment Uses category), counseling in an office setting (categorized in the Office Uses category), or passenger terminals for public transportation services (categorized in the Transportation Use category).
The Education Uses category includes use types such as private schools (including charter schools and academies) at the elementary, middle, or high school level that provide State-mandated basic education or a comparable equivalent. This use category also includes colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning such as vocational or trade schools that offer courses of general or specialized study leading to a degree or certification, driving schools, and water-dependent research facilities (operated by government or an educational institution).
The Health Care Uses category includes use types providing a variety of health care services, including surgical or other intensive care and treatment, various types of medical treatment, nursing care, preventative care, diagnostic and laboratory services, and physical therapy. Care may be provided on an inpatient, overnight, or outpatient basis. Use types include but are not limited to: hospitals; nursing or care home facilities; medical/dental offices and labs; State-licensed medical clinics; and similar uses. This use category does not include assisted living facilities, which focus on providing personal care rather than medical care to residents and are categorized in the Group Living Uses category.
The Transportation Uses category includes use types providing for the landing and takeoff of airplanes and helicopters, including loading and unloading areas, associated aircraft sales, repair, fuel sales, and flight instruction uses. It also includes passenger terminals for public transportation services. Use types include but are not limited to: airports and airstrips; passenger stations/terminal for ground transportation services (e.g., buses, light rail, trains); park and ride facilities; parking facilities (as a principal use); transit stations or terminals; and similar uses. This use category does not include transit–related infrastructure such as bus stops and bus shelters (deemed minor utilities under the Utility Uses category).
The Utility Uses category includes both major utilities, which are infrastructure services that provide regional or community-wide service, and minor utilities, which are infrastructure services that need to be located in or near where the service is provided. Large-scale solar energy collection systems and large-scale wind energy conversion systems that constitute a principal use of a lot are included as a special type of major utility use. Services may be publicly or privately provided and may include on-site personnel.
The Adult Uses category includes use types that sell, distribute, or present material or feature performances or other activities emphasizing the depiction or display of specified sexual activities. Use types include adult book or video stores (distinguished by being largely devoted to selling, renting, or presenting media emphasizing sexually explicit content) and adult entertainment.
The Animal Care Uses category is characterized by use types related to the provision of medical services, general care, and boarding services for household pets and domestic animals. Use types include but are not limited to: animal shelters; kennels (that provide boarding); pet grooming establishments; veterinary hospitals or clinics; and similar uses.
The Business Support Service Uses category includes use types primarily providing routine business support functions for the day-to-day operations of other businesses and households. Use types include but are not limited to: business service centers; conference or training centers; data processing facilities; day labor services; employment agencies; parcel services; qualified data centers; telephone call centers; travel agencies; and similar uses.
The Eating or Drinking Establishment Uses category consists of establishments primarily engaged in the preparation and serving of food or beverages for on- or off-premises consumption. Use types include but are not limited to: small-scale alcohol production facilities; restaurants; quick-service restaurants; catering establishments; establishments primarily engaged in selling food or beverages for on-site consumption that also provide live entertainment on a limited basis; and similar uses.
The Funeral and Mortuary Services Uses category consists of establishments that provide services related to the death of a human being. Use types include but are not limited to: cemeteries or crematories; funeral homes; mortuaries; and similar uses.
The Office Uses category includes buildings that house activities conducted in an office setting, usually with limited contact with the general public, and generally focusing on the provision of business services, professional services (e.g., lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects), or financial services (e.g., lenders, brokerage houses, tax preparers). Use types include but are not limited to: general business and professional offices; counseling in an office setting; office parks; contractor’s offices; and similar uses. This use category does not include offices that are a component of or accessory to a principal use in another use category, such as administrative government services (categorized in the Community Service Uses category), medical/dental offices (categorized in the Health Care Uses category), or banks or other financial institutions (categorized in the Retail Sales and Service Uses category).
The Personal Services Uses category consists of establishments primarily engaged in the provision of frequent or recurrent needed services of a personal nature. Use types include but are not limited to: art, photography, music, dance, or martial arts studios or schools; fortune telling establishments; model studios; personal grooming or well-being services; personal laundry or dry cleaning services; massage establishments; personal or household goods repair establishments; personal travel or information services; and similar uses.
The Recreational/Entertainment Uses category includes use types providing indoor or outdoor facilities for recreation or entertainment-oriented activities by patrons or members. Use types include but are not limited to: amusement parks; arenas, stadiums, or amphitheaters; cinemas or movie theatres; country clubs; golf courses; golf driving ranges; nightclubs; performance arts centers; racetracks; recreation facilities, indoor (amusement arcades, amusement centers, aquatic centers or natatoriums, archery or baseball batting ranges, health clubs, miniature golf courses, recreation courts, skating facilities, swimming pools, and similar uses); recreation facilities, outdoor (archery or baseball batting ranges, athletic fields, miniature golf courses, swimming pools, and similar uses); shooting ranges; commercial recreation facilities; private clubs or lodges, or community-oriented associations; and waterfront entertainment/retail complexes. It does not include recreational facilities that are accessory to parks (categorized in the Open Space Uses category), or that are reserved for use by a particular residential development’s residents and their guests (e.g., community swimming pools and other recreation facilities).
The Retail Sales and Service Uses category includes use types involved in the sale, rental, and incidental servicing of goods and commodities that are generally delivered or provided on the premises to a consumer. Use types include but are not limited to: banks or financial institutions; check cashing businesses; consumer goods establishments; farmers’ markets; food and market halls; grocery stores and food markets; lawn care or pest control services; manufactured or modular home sales; pawnshops; swimming pool sales and service establishments; and tattoo or body piercing establishments. This use category does not include sales or service establishments related to vehicles (categorized in the Vehicle Services and Sales Uses category), establishments primarily selling supplies to contractors or retailers (categorized in the Wholesale Uses category), the provision of financial, professional, or business services in an office setting (categorized in the Office Uses category), uses providing recreational or entertainment opportunities (categorized in the Recreation/Entertainment Uses category or Open Space Uses category), uses that provide personal services (categorized in the Personal Services Uses category), or uses involving the sales, distribution, or presentation of materials or activities featuring specific sexual activities or nudity (categorized in the Adult Uses category).
The Vehicle Sales and Service Uses category includes use types involving the direct sales and servicing of motor vehicles (including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles, as well as trailers—whether for personal transport, commerce, or recreation). Use types include but are not limited to: commercial vehicle repair and maintenance; commercial vehicle sales and rentals; commercial fuel depots; gas stations; personal vehicle repair and maintenance; personal vehicle sales and rentals; taxi or limousine service facilities; vehicle equipment and supplies sales and rentals; vehicle paint and finishing shops; and vehicle and trailer storage yards and similar uses.
The Visitor Accommodation Uses category includes use types providing lodging units or rooms for short-term stays of typically less than 30 days for rent, lease, or interval occupancy. Use types include but are not limited to: bed and breakfast establishments as accessory to single-family dwellings, recreational campgrounds; country inns; hotels or motels; and similar uses. This use category does not include boarding or rooming houses, which are generally occupied for tenancies of a month or longer, and thus categorized in the Group Living Uses category.
The Water-Related Uses category includes use types involving the direct sales and servicing of boats and other consumer watercraft, whether for recreation, commerce, or personal transport. Use types include but are not limited to: boat sales, rental, service, or repair; boat storage yards; marinas; waterfront boat fuel sales; and similar uses.
The Extraction Uses category is characterized by activities related to the extraction of naturally occurring materials. Use types include but are not limited to: sand and gravel wet processing and surface mining. This use category does not include facilities for the drop-off or collection, or temporary holding, of household or business recyclables.
The Industrial Service Uses category includes use types involving the repair or servicing of industrial, business, or consumer machinery equipment, products, or by-products. Firms that service consumer goods do so by mainly providing a centralized source of services for separate retail outlets. Contractors and building maintenance services and similar uses perform services off-site. Few customers visit the site. The category also includes use types involving the storage or movement of goods. Use types include but are not limited to: dry cleaning, laundry, or carpet cleaning plants; fuel oil or bottled gas distribution establishments; general industrial services; heavy equipment sales, rental, servicing, or storage; landscaping contractor’s businesses; machine shops; metal-working, welding, plumbing, or gas, steam, or water pipe fitting; photographic processing plants; printing or similar reproduction facilities; research and development facilities; small engine repair shops; septic tank services; slaughterhouses; contractor’s yards; tank farms; and similar uses. The category also includes industrial parks.
The Manufacturing Uses category includes use types involved in the manufacturing, processing, fabrication, packaging, or assembly of goods. Products may be finished or semi-finished and are generally made for the wholesale market, made for transfer to other plants, or made to order for firms or consumers. This use category includes light and heavy manufacturing use types, based on the general extent of off-site impacts and extent of outdoor storage. The processing of animal or plant products for wholesale or retail sale purposes off the site of where the agricultural product is grown or raised is also considered a manufacturing use. Goods are generally not displayed or sold on-site, but if so, such sales are a subordinate part of total sales. Relatively few customers come to the site. Use types include but are not limited to: alcohol production facilities (large-scale); concrete batching or asphalt mixing plants; concrete or brick products manufacturing; fisheries activities; food processing or beverage bottling; manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication, heavy; and manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication, light.
The Warehouse and Freight Movement Uses category includes use types involving the storage or movement of goods for themselves or other firms or businesses. Goods are generally delivered to other firms or the ultimate consumer, except for some will-call pickups. There is little on-site sales activity with the customer present. Use types include but are not limited to: cold storage plants (including frozen food lockers); consolidated storage (e.g., mini-storage facilities); distribution warehouses (used primarily for temporary storage pending distribution in response to customer orders); motor freight facilities; outdoor storage (as a principal use); storage warehouses (used for storage by retail stores such as furniture and appliance stores); truck or freight terminals; or similar uses. This use category does not include contractor’s yards (categorized in the Industrial Services Use category), solid waste transfer stations, or storage of solid or liquid wastes (categorized in the Resource Recovery and Waste Management Uses category).
The Resource Recovery and Waste Management Uses category includes use types receiving solid or liquid wastes from others for on-site disposal, storage, processing, or transfer to another location for processing or disposal, or uses that manufacture or produce goods or energy from the composting of organic material or reuse, recycling, or processing of scrap or waste material. This use category also includes use types that receive hazardous wastes from others. Use types include but are not limited to: composting facilities; recycling plants; Class 3 fills; landfills, sanitary; landfills, rubble; recycling collection centers; and similar uses. This use category does not include wastewater treatment plants and potable water treatment plants (categorized as a major utility facility in the Utility Uses category).
The Wholesale Uses category includes use types involved in the sale, lease, or rent of products primarily intended for industrial, institutional, or commercial businesses. The uses emphasize on-site sales or order-taking and often include display areas. Businesses may or may not be open to the general public, but sales to the general public are limited. Products may be picked up on-site or delivered to the customer. Use types include but are not limited to: wholesale plant nurseries and showrooms; wholesale sale or rental of machinery equipment, special trade tools, welding supplies, machine parts, electrical supplies, janitorial supplies, restaurant equipment, and store fixtures; mail-order houses; establishments primarily selling supplies to contractors or retailers; wholesalers of food, clothing, plants and landscaping materials, auto parts, and building hardware; and similar uses. This use category does not include uses primarily involving sales to the general public or on a membership basis (uses categorized in the Retail Sales and Service Uses category), or uses primarily involving storage of goods with little on-site business activity (uses categorized in the Warehouse and Freight Movement Uses category).
Net lot area shall be determined by measuring the total horizontal land area (in acres or square feet) within the lot lines of the lot, excluding public street or alley rights-of-way and private street or alley easements, and land lying within the 100-year floodplain. For purposes of determining net density, floor area ratio, or lot coverage, any part of the net lot area dedicated as right-of-way for which no more than nominal consideration was received, recreation area, park, greenway, or other public open space in conjunction with a development approval in accordance with this Ordinance shall continue to be considered part of the net lot area of the development site.
| Figure 27-2201: Lot Depth Measurement Examples |
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The horizontal distance from the midpoint of the front lot line to the midpoint of the rear lot line of a lot. In the case of flag lots the width of the “pole” or portion of the lot only used for access to the remainder of the lot shall be ignored in determining the midpoint of both the front and rear lot lines. (see Figure 27-2201: Lot Depth Measurement Examples).
Lot width shall be determined by measuring the distance along a line delineating the minimum front setback applicable to the lot, between its intersections with the side lot lines, or for corner lots, between a corner side lot line and the opposite side lot line. (See Figure 27-2201(a): Lot Dimensions.)
Lot frontage (width) at the front street line shall be determined by measuring the distance of the front lot line. When frontage is curvilinear, it shall be measured along the curve. (See Figure 27-2201(a): Lot Dimensions.)
| Figure 27-2201(a): Lot Dimensions |
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Net density (expressed as dwelling units per acre) shall be determined by dividing the total number of dwelling units located or proposed on a lot by the net lot area (see Section 27-2201(a), above). If net lot area is measured in square feet, the result of this division shall be multiplied by 43,560. Net density standards apply only to residential development comprised of dwelling units. In the RCO sub-zone of the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Overlay (CBCAO) Zone only, the gross tract acreage is used to calculate density except as noted in Section 5B-115(f) of the County Code.
Floor area ratio (FAR) shall be determined by dividing the gross floor area (in square feet) devoted to nonresidential uses on all floors of all buildings located or proposed on a lot by the net lot area (in square feet) (see Section 27-2201(a), above). FAR standards apply only to nonresidential development.
Lot coverage (expressed as a percentage of net lot area) shall be determined by measuring the total horizontal land area of the lot (in acres or square feet) covered by all buildings, covered structures, and areas used for vehicular access and parking of vehicles; dividing that coverage area by the net lot area (see Section 27-2201(a), above); and multiplying the result by 100.
When used in this Ordinance, major fraction thereof means a fraction one-half (0.50) or greater is rounded up to the next whole number, and a fraction that is less than one-half (0.50) is rounded down to the next whole number.
| Figure 27-2201(f): General Height Measurement |
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The depth of the front, corner side, side, and rear yard on a lot shall be determined by measuring the horizontal distance along a straight line extending at a right angle from the lot’s front, corner side, side, or rear lot line (as appropriate) to the foundation of the nearest structure on the lot. (see Figure 27-2201(a): Lot Dimensions.) The area defined by a minimum yard depth and the lot line from which it measured is a required front, corner side, side, or rear yard (as appropriate).
A through lot shall have a front yard along each of its parallel or nearly parallel street-fronting lot lines. (see Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(B): Through Lot).
On a flag lot, the front yard depth shall be measured within the "flag" portion of the lot, from the lot line delineating the base of that portion. (see Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(C): Flag Lot Front Setback or Yard Depth).
| Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(B): Through Lot | Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(C): Flag Lot Front Setback or Yard Depth | |
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Where the Functional Master Plan of Transportation or the General Plan calls for the future widening of the street right-of-way abutting a lot and identify the future right-of-way boundary (e.g., by delineating the boundary or establishing its distance from the street’s centerline), the front and corner side yard depths shall be measured—and the minimum front and corner yard depths requirements applied—from the future right-of-way boundary. (see Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(D): Setback Abutting Future Right-of-Way).
| Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(D): Setback Abutting Future Right-of-Way |
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The location of accessory structures and buildings on lots shall conform to the regulations of Section 27-5202(c).
If the average net area or width of existing lots located on the same block face and in the same zone is less than the minimum net lot area or minimum lot width (as appropriate) applied to a lot by the standards in PART 27-4: Zones and Zone Regulations, the minimum net lot area or minimum lot width (as appropriate) applicable to a lot on the block face shall be reduced to such average. Calculation of the average shall exclude any net lot area or width (as appropriate) that exceeds the next largest net lot area or next widest lot width by more than 25 percent. (see Figure 27-2203(a): Reduction of Minimum Lot Area, Lot Width, and Front Setback to Block Face Average.)
If the average front setback on improved lots located on the same block face and in the same zone is less than the minimum front setback applied to a lot by the standards in PART 27-4: Zones and Zone Regulations, the minimum front setback applicable to a lot on the block face shall be reduced to such average. Calculation of the average shall exclude any front setback that exceeds the next deepest setback by more than 15 feet. (see Figure 27-2203(a): Reduction of Minimum Lot Area, Lot Width, and Front Setback or Yard Depth to Block Face Average).
| Figure 27-2203(a): Reduction of Minimum Lot Area, Lot Width, and Front Setback or Yard Depth to Block Face Average |
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Except within the MIO Zone, the maximum structure height limits established in PART 27-4: Zones and Zone Regulations, shall not apply to the following structures or structural elements:
A bay window, oriel, entrance, vestibule, or balcony may project up to three (3) feet beyond the front or rear building line, if the projection is not more than ten (10) feet long (measured along the building).
Cornices and eaves may project up to two and one-half (2 1/2) feet beyond the building line. The projection shall be at least two (2) feet from any lot line.
Sills, leaders, belt courses, and similar ornamental features may project up to six (6) inches beyond the building line.
Fire escapes and outside open stairways may project up to four and one-half (4 1/2) feet beyond the building line. The stairway shall not be enclosed.
One (1) chimney, not more than six (6) feet wide along the building, may project up to eighteen (18) inches beyond the building line.
Refer to the definition of “base flood (or 100-year flood)” in Subtitle 32: Water Resources Protection and Grading Code, of the County Code for the definition. Refer also to the requirements of Section 27-6804, Floodplain Management.
The manufacturing or repair of abrasive grinding wheels or other products created incorporating abrasive materials, or asbestos textiles, building materials, and insulating materials.
Touching and sharing a common point or line. This can include a parcel of land across a street, streams, rivers, and rail lines, if the zone boundary extends to the middle of the right-of-way of a street.
A structure subordinate and incidental to, and located on the same lot with, a principal structure and use, the use of which is customarily found in association with and is clearly incidental to the use of the principal structure or the land, and which is not attached by any part of a common wall or roof to the principal structure. (When a specific structure is identified in this Ordinance as accessory to another use or structure, the structure need not be customarily incidental to, or ordinarily found in association with, the principal use to qualify as an accessory structure).
Nearby, but not necessarily abutting or adjoining.
An area at military airports which is beyond the Clear Zone.
APZ 1 begins at the outer end of the Clear Zone of the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone and is 5,000 feet long and 3,000 feet wide. APZ 2 begins at the outer end of APZ 1 and is 7,000 feet long and 3,000 feet wide. The Accident Potential Zones for Joint Base Andrews are illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(4)(C): Accident Potential/Clear Zones North and South.
The use of a building designated as a Historic Site by the Historic Preservation Commission for a use not allowed within the existing zone in order to encourage the preservation of buildings important to Prince George’s County heritage or which have distinctive architectural and environmental characteristics.
The use of a former public school building for a use not allowed within the existing zone and not prohibited in all zones in order to encourage infill development and minimize the impact of new development.
Any commercial establishment that does not have a use and occupancy permit to operate as a cinema or nonprofit free-lending library, that either:
An establishment in which a program is operated that is designed to provide care and activities (during the daytime) for five or more adults (unrelated to the operator by blood, adoption, or marriage) who are members of a service population that, because of advanced age, or emotional, mental, physical, familial, or social conditions, need assistance in daytime activities. The term shall not include a nursing home, school, private, eleemosynary or philanthropic institution, or group residential facility, or any sheltered workshop licensed as such by the United States Department of Labor.
Any exhibition, performance, or dance of any type conducted in a premise where such exhibition, performance, or dance involves a person who:
The business, science, and art of cultivating and managing the soil, composting, growing, harvesting, and selling crops; livestock; and the products of forestry, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, hydroponics, aquaculture, aquaponics, animal husbandry (i.e., breeding, raising, or managing livestock and poultry), dairying, beekeeping; and similar activities. Agriculture includes processing on the site of the farm where the agricultural product is grown or raised in the course of preparing the product for on-site sale, which may cause a change in the natural form or state of the product. Agriculture may also include areas designed and used for converting on-site farm and garden waste into compost. The term "agriculture" shall not include the commercial feeding of garbage or offal to animals, the slaughtering of livestock for marketing (except otherwise permitted by law), or the disposal of sludge except for fertilization of crops, horticultural products, or floricultural products in connection with an active agricultural operation or home gardening.
A facility for the investigation, testing, and demonstration of agricultural products and processes, including biotechnical agriculture and veterinary, soil, plant, and animal sciences.
An agricultural enterprise that is intended to attract visitors and provide supplemental income for the owner of a working farm, and that is:
Agritourism uses include, but are not limited to: equine activities, fishing, hunting, wildlife study, holiday and seasonal attractions, corn mazes, harvest festivals, barn dances, hayrides, roadside stands, farmer's markets, u-pick or pick-your-own operations, rent-a-tree operations, farm tours, wine tasting, educational classes related to agricultural products or skills, and accessory recreational activities provided for guests. Agritourism includes activities such as, but not limited to, picnics, equine facilities, party facilities, retreats, weddings, and farm or ranch stays. Agritourism does not include a recreational campground.
A study performed and updated periodically by Air Force installations to assist local, regional, State, and Federal officials in the communities neighboring military air facilities, such as Joint Base Andrews, by promoting compatible development within areas subject to aircraft noise and accident potential; and protecting Air Force operational capability from the effects of land use that are incompatible with aircraft operations. The geography and extent of the Accident Potential Zones, the Clear Zones, the height surfaces, and the noise contours are defined in this study.
A place where aircraft may take off or land, discharge or receive cargo or passengers, be repaired or serviced, take on fuel, or be stored, including "Accessory Uses" which are commonly associated with these facilities. These terms refer to any public use, general aviation airport licensed by the Maryland Aviation Administration, but not to airports with military or air carrier traffic.
An airport having one or more of the following:
An airport having all of the following:
A production facility or establishment for the manufacture of alcoholic beverages by a state-licensed distillery, winery, rectifier, or brewery. Accessory uses may include retail sales of beverages produced on-site for takeaway of off-premise consumption as allowed by State licensing laws. This use does not include small-scale alcohol production facilities.
A production facility or establishment for the brewing of beers, meads, or similar beverages on-site, and serves those beverages on-site or for off-site consumption. These facilities may not brew more than 45,000 barrels of beverages (in total) annually, in accordance with State law for micro-brewery licensure.
A vehicular accessway that provides secondary access to the rear of a building, of which the primary access to the front façade of the building is from a public or private street.
A commercially operated indoor facility providing a variety of amusement devices including, but not limited to, play equipment, television games, electromechanical games, small kiddie rides, and other similar devices, and which may include food service.
An outdoor facility designed for entertainment purposes which may include structures or buildings, motorized or non-motorized rides, games, booths for the conduct of sporting events or games, and constructed land features such as lakes, hills, or trails. Office, retail and other commercial uses commonly established in such facilities and related parking structures may be allowed as accessory uses.
A facility used to house and care for stray, homeless, abandoned, or neglected animals that is owned, operated, or maintained by a public body or an established humane society or other private or nonprofit organization.
An apparatus designed for the purpose of emitting radiofrequency (RF) radiation, to be operated or operating from a fixed location pursuant to FCC authorization for the provision of wireless service and any commingled information services. Such apparatus include, but are not limited to, directional antennas, such as panels, microwave dishes, satellite dishes, and omnidirectional antennas, such as whips.
A facility providing for the residential occupancy of a dwelling unit and serving the needs of elderly families or physically handicapped families with tenancy generally arranged on a month-to-month or longer basis. For the purposes of this use, the term “elderly family” means a family which is included with age restrictions in conformance with the Federal Fair Housing Act and “physically handicapped family” means a family in which the head of the family, or his/her dependent, is physically disabled.
The completed form or forms and all accompanying documents, exhibits, and fees required of an applicant by this Ordinance and the District Council, Board of Appeals, or Planning Director as part of the review of a permit or development approval.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, the imaginary surfaces which are symmetrically centered on the extended runway centerline, beginning as an inclined plane (glide angle) 200 feet beyond each end of the primary surface, and extending for 50,000 feet. The slope of the approach departure clearance surface is 50:1 until it reaches an elevation of 500 feet above the established airfield elevation, illustrated on Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(B): Height, as "B". The width of this surface at the runway end is 2,000 feet, flaring uniformly to a width of 16,000 feet at the end point.
A complex with facilities for water sports, including swimming pools.
A place where trees, shrubs, or other woody plants are grown, exhibited, or labeled for scientific, educational, or passive recreational purposes, but not including the harvest of plants or their produce.
An area used to practice the skill of archery or to practice the skill of batting.
Exterior lighting that is designed to highlight structures, plantings, or significant architectural features directly or indirectly.
A comprehensive plan for the physical development of the entirety of one or more planning areas, showing in detail elements such as the type, density, and intensity of land uses; pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic features; public facilities; and the relationship between the various uses to transportation, other public facilities and services, and amenities within the master plan area, and where appropriate, to other areas. Any reference to a Sector Plan in this Ordinance shall equally apply to an Area Master Plan. The term Area Master Plan shall include any transit district development plan approved prior to the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance.
A building or structure designed or intended for use for spectator sports, entertainment events, expositions, and similar events. Such uses may include seating for spectators.
An establishment engaged in the sale, loan, or display of art books, paintings, sculpture, or other works of art.
An establishment with space used for the production of—or instruction in—art, photography, music, dance, yoga, pilates, or the martial arts.
A mixed-use community for artists comprised of one or more adjoining structures with working and living space restricted to artists, and with eight or more artist units. Artist units may be on any floor with nonresidential uses on the first floor. All structures and common areas are owned or controlled by a nonprofit corporation or association that restricts artist unit use and occupancy to artists and their families, and is responsible for maintenance of the structures and their continued use as artists' residential studios.
A facility that provides living and sleeping facilities and care to four (4) or more individuals who, because of advanced age or physical or mental disability, require intermittent assistance in performing the activities of daily living, which may include the supervision and/or administration of medication, in a protective environment. Such care includes, but is not limited to, meal preparation, laundry services, housekeeping, personal observation and direction in the activities of daily living, transportation for routine social and medical appointments, and the availability of a responsible adult for companionship or nonclinical counseling. The use does not include a nursing or care home or group residential facility.
A mechanized device operated by or on behalf of a bank or financial institution that allows customers to conduct automated banking or financial transactions. Where an ATM is provided at the site of a bank or financial institution for use by customers in motor vehicles, the ATM is considered a drive-through service accessory use.
A defined land area adjacent to an airport, where regulations in Section 27-4402(b), Aviation Policy Area Overlay (APAO) Zones, modify zoning standards and requirements.
An establishment that provides retail banking services, mortgage lending, or similar financial services to individuals and businesses. This use type does not include check cashing services or bail bond brokers. Accessory uses may include automated teller machines (ATMs) and facilities providing drive-through service.
An establishment, not open to the public, that prepares or serves food and beverages for gatherings honoring guests or special occasions.
A facility that provides haircuts, hair styling, hair coloring, nail care, facials, and other similar salon services.
An owner-occupied single-family detached residential dwelling in which rooms are rented to paying guests on an overnight basis for no longer than two weeks in any one visit. A country inn, hotel, motel, fraternity or sorority house, or boarding or rooming house shall not be considered a bed and breakfast.
The raising or producing of bees, beeswax, honey, and by-products.
A facility for the placing of soft drinks, juice, water, milk, alcoholic beverages, or other liquids into bottles or cans for shipment.
An establishment engaged in the sales and/or rental of bicycles and which may offer bicycle servicing and repair.
The component of a bike share system that consists of a bike parking rack where bicycles that are available for use as part of the bike share system are parked and made available for use by users. Bike share stations are the most visible components of a bike share system. Bike share stations should be: conveniently located in areas of relatively high volumes of pedestrian traffic and in places that are easy for bicyclists to find. The bike share station should be designed and built consistent with the guidelines outlined in Bike Share: Station Siting Guide, by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).
A public or quasi-public bicycle system, or bike-share scheme, that is a service to people who decide to participate (typically for a fee) in which bicycles are made available for shared use to individuals on a very short term basis.
The land lying within an area bounded on all sides by streets.
A specified side of a block.
The distance or length of a block.
The Board of Appeals (BOA) for Prince George’s County established by the District Council in accordance with State law. See Section 27-3303, Board of Appeals . (Abbreviated as "BOA.")
A building or portion of which is used by its occupants to provide (for compensation) lodging (and meals) to four or more, but not exceeding nine, guests. The dwelling unit shall contain not more than five guest rooms. A boarding or rooming house shall not be considered a bed-and-breakfast inn.
A business primarily engaged in the display, sale, rental, repair, or maintenance of new or used boats, marine engines, or marine equipment.
A facility designated for the on-land storage of boats, other watercraft, and marine equipment in open or enclosed roof structures or on trailers, cradles, or boat stands.
Commercial and public communications uses including radio and television broadcasting and receiving stations and studios, with facilities entirely within buildings, except for accessory uses like antenna, broadcasting dishes, and related facilities.
An area of natural or planted vegetation that is generally unoccupied by a building, structure, paving or the like, for the purposes of screening and softening the effects of development. A buffer shall not be used for recreation or parking. For the purposes of the CBCAO Zone only, “buffer” has the definition included in Subtitle 5B of the County Code.
The total area of a building measured at the building's outside walls at its ground plane.
The form of a building that includes the exterior walls, projections, recesses, roof features, and any attachments or additions.
See Subtitle 4: Building, of the County Code of Ordinances.
A “building” subordinate to, and located on the same lot with, a “main building,” and used for an accessory use.
A “building” in which is conducted the “principal use” of the “lot” on which it is located
A study prepared and signed by a professional engineer with competence in acoustical analysis, which identifies enhanced building materials that may be needed to mitigate interior noise levels.
A line beyond which no part of a “main building” (including a covered porch, vestibule, or other similar projection) or “structure” (not including ground level paved surfaces, unless specifically noted) shall extend. The “building line” determines an area within which “main buildings” and other “structures” may be placed. A “building line” and the “street line” or “lot line” is the required “yard” (Also called a “building restriction line".)
A line that runs along perpendicular the entire width of a lot, from the street right-of-way (ROW) to the front building façade on a lot, along which a building must be constructed.
The area between the minimum and maximum build-to lines, that extends the entire width of the lot.
The sale of merchandise in large quantities, such as in unbroken cases or oversized containers, directly to ultimate consumers.
A facility for the storage and distribution of gasoline, gasohol, and similar petroleum-based products typically consisting of above-ground and underground storage tanks and distribution pipelines.
A development which combines a grocery store or food market not exceeding 40,000 square feet of gross floor area; a consolidated storage facility; and which may include an eating or drinking establishment or any other use that is permitted by right in the CGO Zone. Business advancement and food access infill shall not include combination retail or gas station uses.
An establishment primarily engaged in providing a range of office support services, such as document copying services, facsimile services, word processing services, on-site personal computer rental, and office product sales.
A vehicle originally sold to the consumer for recreational, travel, or vacation purposes, which is self-propelled or capable of being towed, and which provides facilities for temporary camping or sleeping. The term "camping trailer" includes a unit designed to be carried by an open pickup truck. The term "camping trailer" also includes travel trailers, campers, recreational vehicles, motor homes, truck campers, and similar vehicles.
A use which entails acquiring, possessing, repackaging, transferring, selling, distributing, or dispensing Cannabis or Cannabis products, including tinctures, aerosols, oils, and ointments, related supplies, and educational materials for use by a qualifying patient, caregiver, or adult over the age of 21 through a storefront. Cannabis dispensary also includes a former medical cannabis dispensary that converted its license to allow for the sale of both medical and adult use cannabis pursuant to Alcoholic Beverages & Cannabis Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
A product containing a cannabis concentrate or a cannabis-infused product packaged and labeled for release to a qualifying patient, caregiver, or adult over the age of 21.
A use that entails cultivating or packaging cannabis, as well as providing cannabis to other Cannabis uses and registered independent testing laboratories. Cannabis grower also includes a former medical cannabis grower that converted its license to allow for the growing of Cannabis for medical and adult use pursuant to the Alcoholic Beverages & Cannabis Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
An entity licensed under the Alcoholic Beverages & Cannabis Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, to operate a facility within which Cannabis micro-dispensaries; Cannabis micro-growers; and/or Cannabis processors may operate.
A use that entails acquiring, possessing, repackaging, transferring, selling, distributing, or dispensing Cannabis or Cannabis products, including tinctures, aerosols, oils, and ointments, related supplies, and educational materials for use by a qualifying patient, caregiver, or adult over the age of 21 solely through a delivery service or transport. Cannabis micro-dispensary is limited to ten (10) employees and may not have a physical storefront.
A use that entails cultivating or packaging no more than 10,000 square feet of indoor cannabis canopy or 40,000 square feet of outdoor cannabis canopy, as well as providing cannabis to other Cannabis uses and registered independent testing laboratories.
A use that entails transforming no more than 1,000 pounds of Cannabis per year into another product or extract, packaging and labeling the Cannabis product, and providing Cannabis to other Cannabis uses and registered independent testing laboratories.
A use that entails distributing Cannabis or Cannabis products for on-site consumption other than consumption by smoking indoors.
A use that entails transforming Cannabis into another product or extract, Packaging and labeling the cannabis product, and providing Cannabis to other Cannabis uses and registered independent testing laboratories. Cannabis processor also includes a former Medical cannabis processor that converted its license to allow for the processing of Cannabis for medical and adult use pursuant to Alcoholic Beverages & Cannabis Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor improvement (such as a sidewalk, a children’s playground, or the vehicular parking area for a single residence) for the sole purpose of sheltering persons or structures from sun or precipitation. A canopy is either freestanding, or attached to and projecting from the wall of a building. A canopy is supported only by columns or the wall of a building, and is unenclosed on all sides, except in the case of a projecting canopy where it abuts the building wall. A canopy shall not be considered a building or structure. An awning shall be considered a canopy.
An establishment providing the exterior washing of vehicles where vehicles are manually driven or pulled by a conveyor through a system of rollers and/or brushes, or are manually washed. Interior cleaning and/or drying may be conducted manually by vehicle operator or on-site attendants.
A feature within a multifamily development designed and intended for the sole use by residents of the development to wash, clean, and/or wax their motor vehicles.
A covered structure designed to shelter motor vehicles that is free-standing or attached to the wall of a building and is open on at least three sides.
An establishment that specializes in the preparation of food or beverages for social events, such as weddings, banquets, parties, or other gatherings, with or without banquet facilities for these private pre-arranged occasions. These establishments are not open to impromptu attendance by the general public, and exclude adult entertainment.
An establishment that specializes in the preparation of food or beverages for delivery and consumption at off-site locations.
A facility for the manufacture of cement and cement-related products.
A place used for the permanent interment of dead human bodies (or their cremated remains) or pet animal bodies (or their cremated remains). A memorial garden located on the premises of a place of worship where only the ashes of deceased persons or pets may be scattered or placed, is not a cemetery.
A nonconforming use for which a use and occupancy permit identifying the use as nonconforming has been issued.
For purposes of Section 27-5102(b)(1)(B), Medical Cannabis Grower and/or Processor, a physician, as specified within Section 14-101(i) of the Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, who is registered with the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission.
The change in the use of a structure or land. Change of use includes a change from one use type to another use type.
An establishment that accepts or cashes, for compensation, a payment instrument regardless of the date of the payment instrument. This use does not include activities undertaken by:
Additionally, this use does not include a business:
All waters of and lands under the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to the head of tide as indicated on the State wetlands maps, all State and private wetlands designated under the Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 16 of the Environmental Article; and all land and water areas within 1,000 feet beyond the landward boundaries of State or private wetlands and heads of tides designated under the Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 16 of the Environmental Article, as indicated on approved Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Overlay Zoning Map Amendments (ZMA).
A zoning map amendment used solely for the purpose of establishing or amending the County’s Chesapeake Bay Critical Area in accordance with County and state law. (Abbreviated as "CBCAO Zoning Map Amendment.")
An establishment designated specifically for the sale and on-site use of premium tobacco products in accordance with Section 19-131 of the Prince George’s County Code; and may also include food and alcohol products, excluding adult entertainment.
A motion picture theater that is a building or part of a building, and is devoted to showing motion pictures. This can also include an open lot or part of an open lot and auxiliary facilities devoted primarily to the showing of motion pictures on a paid admission basis to patrons seated on outdoor seats.
Temporary activities or events conducted by civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations, or activities of a business or organization that is not part of its daily activities and are open to the public. Such activities include, but are not limited to, circuses, carnivals, fairs, or tent revivals.
The use of land for the spreading or depositing of Class 3 fill materials—including, without limitation: soils difficult to compact or with other than optimum moisture content; rock and similar irreducible materials, without limit as to size, provided no detectable voids are formed into which overlying soils may later be washed; and topsoil, intermittently layered with nonorganic soil. Incidental fill operations associated with the development of subdivisions and other preliminary work of a developing site shall not be considered a Class 3 fill operation.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, a corridor symmetrically centered on the runway centerline beginning at the end of the runway and extending outward 3,000 feet and which has a width of 3,000 feet (1,500 feet to either side of the runway centerline). The Clear Zones for Joint Base Andrews are illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(4)(C): Accident Potential/Clear Zones North and South.
An establishment providing facilities for entertainment or recreation for only bona fide members and guests, and not operated for profit, excluding adult entertainment.
A building or room used for social or recreational activities by members of a club (e.g., golf course clubhouse) or occupants of a residential or other development.
A facility primarily engaged in the cold processing and storage of chilled or frozen food products.
A private institution offering a program of post-secondary education and instruction leading to associate, baccalaureate, or higher degrees, and that is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and accredited by a national association of colleges and universities.
One of multiple wireless telecommunications antennas placed or located on the same wireless telecommunications tower or other structure.
A department store that exceeds 75,000 square feet of which a minimum of 60 percent of the floor space is used as a department store, that also incorporates a drug store or pharmacy and a full line of groceries. This use does not include the principal uses of grocery store or food market, department store, or drug store or pharmacy.
An unattended, automated fuel dispensing facility that dispenses fuel to businesses, organizations, and municipalities that maintain a fleet of vehicles. This use does not include any retail sale of gasoline to the general public and does not include any store sales, vehicle service, or vending operations.
A large, integrated entertainment complex sited on at least 100 acres that features multiple, large-scale outdoor amusements including roller coasters, thrill rides, water parks, and water slides, and includes indoor amusements and food service.
A contiguous assemblage of land leased from a public agency before January 1, 1974, continuing no less than sixty (60) acres at the time of said lease and to be developed with an array of commercial uses, including parking lots for commercial purposes, residential, lodging, recreational, entertainment, retail, social, cultural, or similar uses, and which development and/or use shall conform to the terms of that lease as modified or amended.
Establishments, excluding vehicle paint finishing shops, that repair, install, or maintain the mechanical components or the bodies of large trucks, mass transit vehicles, large construction or agricultural equipment, or commercial boats. Includes paint booths, mixing areas, and spraying or similar means of application of automobile paint that are customarily incidental to commercial vehicle repair and maintenance operations.
Land or facilities that are located within, or related to, a development, and that are designed for use by the residents (and guests) of, or workers in, the entire development or a designated part of the development. Common area does not include land or facilities which are individually owned or dedicated to public use. Common area remains in the ownership of a homeowners' or similar association.
A “building” which is primarily available to the public for educational, recreational, or civic purposes, and not operated for profit.
Land devoted to the cultivation of fruits, flowers, vegetables, or ornamental plants by more than one person, household, family, or by an organization for personal or group use, consumption, or donation. Community gardens may be divided into separate plots for cultivation by one or more individuals or may be farmed collectively by members of the group and may include common areas maintained and used by group members.
Building space leased to a non-profit community service agency, social service, or arts organization that is primarily available to the public for educational, recreational, community service, social service, or other civic purposes, and not operated for profit.
A facility where organic matter derived primarily off-site is processed by composting for commercial purposes.
An area proximate to one or more neighborhoods and accessible by the public that is designed for the purpose of collecting and converting kitchen and yard waste from local households, businesses, institutions, and/or government entities into compost.
A plan guiding the physical development of Prince George’s County. Forms of comprehensive plans include the General Plan, Area Master Plans, Sector Plans, and Functional Master Plans.
Refer to Subtitle 32: Water Resources Protection and Grading Code, of the County Code for the definition.
A facility in which concrete or asphalt or their ingredients or products are ground up, mixed, or otherwise prepared for use on-site or for transportation to a construction site ready to be poured.
An establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing concrete pipe, brick, and block from a mixture of cement, water, and aggregate.
A facility that processes concrete demolition material by crushing to remove reinforcing metals, if any, and to reduce the size of concrete material to a commercially usable size.
A facility designed to accommodate fewer than 500 persons and used for conferences, seminars, product displays, recreation activities, and entertainment functions, along with accessory uses including temporary outdoor displays, and food or beverage preparation and service for on–premise consumption.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, an inclined imaginary surface extending outward and upward from the outer periphery of the inner horizontal surface for a horizontal distance of 7,000 feet to a height of 500 feet above the established airfield elevation. The slope of the conical surface is 20:1. The conical surface connects the inner horizontal surfaces, illustrated on Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(B): Height, as "E."
Refer to Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, of the County Code for the definition.
Refer to Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, of the County Code for the definition.
Refer to Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, of the County Code for the definition.
Refer to Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, of the County Code for the definition.
A building or group of buildings divided into separate self-contained units or areas of 500 square feet or less that are offered for rent for self-service storage of household and personal property and not for use in connection with the operation of a business. The storage units or areas are designed to allow private access by the tenant for storing and removing personal property. The rental of trucks or trailers is a separate principal use and not considered accessory to this use.
A temporary structure, facility, or space associated with the staging, management, and security of new construction—including an office building, security building, storage buildings, construction waste and recycling receptacles, temporary sanitation facilities, outdoor storage, and employee parking areas—and located on or adjacent to the construction site.
Establishments that sell consumer goods at retail, including but not limited to art galleries; bait shops; bicycle sales, rental, services, or repair; home building and garden supplies stores; monument or headstone sales establishments; taxidermies; and similar uses (e.g., floor covering stores, window treatment stores, camera stores, optical goods stores, shoe stores, luggage stores, jewelry stores, piece goods stores, and pet shops).
A building or portion of a building used by a building, heating, plumbing, electrical, or other development contractor both as an office and for the storage of a limited quantity of materials, supplies, and equipment inside the building. If outdoor storage of materials, supplies, or equipment is associated with the office, the use is considered a contractor’s yard.
A lot or portion of a lot or parcel used for outdoor storage and maintenance of construction equipment and other materials and facilities customarily required in the building trade by a construction contractor.
A retail sales and service store with less than 5,000 square feet of floor area that primarily sells grocery or deli items and miscellaneous day-to-day goods, such as bottled drinks, candy, canned foods, bread, milk, cheese, beer, wine, papers and magazines, general hardware articles, and the incidental sales of tobacco or tobacco accessories not to include hookahs, provided that the area of the tobacco products is not more than thirty-two (32) square feet or five percent (5%) of the gross floor area, whichever is less. Quick-service food may be offered as an accessory use. A convenience store may also contain another principal use, such as a restaurant if such other use is also permitted in the same zone. A convenience store shall not sell gas or have gas pumps.
A structure used for the purpose of housing persons on a permanent basis who constitute a religious community typically consisting of nuns, priests, monks, or other similar religious personnel. For the purpose of this definition, the terms convent and monastery are interchangeable and shall have the same meaning. Assembly for worship services may be conducted in conjunction with the convent or monastery use.
The conversion of an existing single-family detached dwelling to add a maximum of two (2) additional dwelling units.
A non-potentially hazardous food that is offered for sale only at a farmers’ market or authorized public event.
A chartered, nonprofit membership club catering primarily to its members, providing but not limited to one or more of the following recreational and social activities: golf, swimming, riding, outdoor recreation, club house, locker room, and pro shop.
A “building” having historical, architectural, or cultural significance, or the appearance of it, within which is provided (for compensation) lodging or food service for transient guests in a historical, scenic, or pastoral atmosphere. A bed-and-breakfast inn; boardinghouse; private dormitory; fraternity or sorority house; restaurant; restaurant, quick-service; or rooming house shall not be considered a country inn.
A facility containing furnaces for the reduction of dead bodies—either human or animal— to ashes by fire.
A facility for storing, using, loaning, and occasionally selling literary, historical, scientific, musical, artistic, or other reference materials (e.g., library), or for displaying or preserving objects of interest or providing facilities for one or more of the arts or sciences to the public (e.g., museum). Accessory uses include offices, storage facilities used by staff, and meeting rooms.
The period of time between midnight and the following midnight. A "Day" is a calendar day, unless otherwise specified.
An establishment in which a program is operated that is designed to provide care and activities for nine (9) or more children not located in a dwelling unit, or thirteen (13) or more children in a dwelling unit, on a regular schedule (more than once a week). This term shall not include recreational program, before- and after-school, "private school" or "small group child care center."
A business or an establishment that provides, or markets itself as providing, the temporary employment of persons where persons wait at the establishment on a daily basis for work assignments or transportation to work assignments. This definition specifically excludes those services placing employees primarily through telephone contacts that do not involve the waiting of prospective employees on the premises, whether for employment, transportation, or assignment.
See Section 27-2202(c), Net Density (Dwelling Units per Acre).
A general merchandising store offering a variety of unrelated goods and services that may include clothing, housewares, body products, and specialty items.
A procedure in this Ordinance that allows minor changes from certain dimensional or development standards in specific circumstances, subject to specific limitations and standards in order to allow development that is consistent with the context in which it is located, while accomplishing the purposes of this Ordinance. See Section 27-3614, Departure (Minor and Major) of this Subtitle.
A development application for review of proposed project elements such as building design, site layout, and landscaping. See Section 27-3605, Detailed Site Plan of this Subtitle.
A site plan that is prepared in order to proceed with limited site improvements. These improvements must include infrastructure which is essential to the future development of the site, including streets, utilities, or stormwater management facilities.
Any activity that materially affects the condition or use of dry land, land under water, or any structure.
See “Application or Development Application.”
The entire parcel proposed for a two-family, three-family, or townhouse development, containing all parcels proposed to be owned in common and all proposed individual lots under two-family, three-family, or townhouse units.
Illumination by light sources that are effectively visible, either directly or through a translucent material, illuminating outward.
A facility primarily engaged in the distribution of manufactured products, supplies, and equipment. It includes the temporary storage of such products, supplies, and equipment pending distribution.
The Prince George's County Council, sitting as the District Council for the Prince George's County portion of the Maryland-Washington Regional District. See Section 27-3301, District Council.
A facility where dogs may socialize and be groomed, trained, and/or exercised during the day, for compensation, but not kept overnight, bred, sold, or let for hire.
A park for domesticated dogs to exercise and play off-leash (many times with other dogs) in a controlled and fenced environment under the supervision of their owners.
A building not owned or operated by a college or university that contains bedrooms primarily for students attending a college or university. Bedrooms may be arranged around a common area with a kitchen which is shared by individuals renting the bedrooms, or along a hall which provides access to a common kitchen space. Bedrooms shall be rented on an annual basis or for an academic semester or summer term. Private dormitories are typically four stories or more in height. Accessory uses may include fitness facilities, pools, parking areas, and similar facilities. A boarding or rooming house is not a private dormitory, nor is rental of single-family homes to students.
The Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement of Prince George’s County, Maryland.
See Section 27-3306, Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement Director (DPIE Director).
A facility used to provide products or services to customers who remain in their vehicles, whether through a window or door in a building, a machine in a building or detached structure (e.g., ATM), or via a mechanical device (e.g., a pneumatic tube system). In addition to the pick-up window or door, drive-through service facilities also may include remote menu boards and ordering stations. Use types that commonly have drive-through service include banks, restaurants, specialty eating or drinking establishments, and drug stores.
An educational facility providing classroom and practical instruction in the operation of motor vehicles.
A retail store primarily engaged in the filling and sale of prescription drugs and the sale of medical supplies, nonprescription medicines, and related goods and services. It may also sell nonmedical goods such as cosmetics, cards, and groceries such as food and household items. Accessory uses may include automated teller machines (ATMs) and facilities providing drive-through service.
A facility where retail customers drop off or pick up laundry or dry cleaning and where the cleaning processes may take place on site as long as all cleaning materials and chemicals and waste water is disposed of in compliance with all applicable permits and regulations.
A facility engaged in cleaning fabrics, textiles, apparel, or other articles by immersion (and agitation) in water or volatile solvents.
A building used for living facilities for one or more families.
A building (or part of a building) used as a complete and independent living facility for only one family, which includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
A structure or portion of a structure combining a residential dwelling unit for one or more persons with an integrated work space principally used by one or more of the dwelling unit residents.
A building containing four or more dwelling units. Units may be located side by side in a horizontal configuration or stacked one above the other in a vertical configuration, sharing common vertical walls or horizontal floors and ceilings. Multifamily dwellings include what are commonly called apartments, or condominium units, but not townhouse dwellings.
One to three attached buildings that are used as single-family dwellings which are attached by means of a solid, common wall.
A single detached building on a lot, other than a manufactured home dwelling, that contains a single dwelling unit and that sits on a permanent foundation.
A building containing three dwelling units. Units may be located side by side in a horizontal configuration or stacked one above the other in a vertical configuration, sharing common vertical walls or horizontal floors and ceilings.
A building containing four or more dwelling units that are attached horizontally through, and entirely separated by, common walls, with each dwelling unit occupying space from the lowest floor to the roof of the building.
A building containing two dwelling units. Units may be located side by side in a horizontal configuration or stacked one above the other in a vertical, configuration, sharing common vertical solid walls extending from the grade to the roof, or horizontal floors and ceilings. The building typologies commonly referred to as two-over-two dwellings or stacked dwelling units are examples of two-family dwellings.
A vehicle, whether hybrid or not, that is powered by an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells, or other portable sources of electrical current, and which may include a nonelectrical source of power designed to charge batteries and components.
The apparatus, commonly called charging stations or charging docks, installed specifically for the purpose of transferring energy between the premises wiring and the electric vehicle.
The charging capability of the electric vehicle charging outlet includes the ability to charge a battery or any other storage device in an electric vehicle through means of an alternating current electrical service with a minimum of 208 volts and that meets applicable industry safety standards and future changes to the National Electrical Code as adopted in Subtitle 9 of the Prince George’s County Code.
An outlet/receptable with a 50-amp, 240-volt rating, for purposes of connecting a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station.
A designated parking space which is provided with a dedicated branch circuit that is not less than 40-ampere and 208/240-volt assigned for EVSE terminating in a receptacle or junction box located near the proposed location of EV parking space. For two adjacent EV-Ready spaces, a single branch circuit is permitted.
A parking space that includes:
A retail store where the primary “use” is the retail sale of, for off-site consumption, electronic cigarettes, or any other electronic device that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substance to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, or pipe; any cartridge or other component of the device; or any related electronic cigarette product.
An establishment in which obsolete or outdated computers, televisions, cell phones, printers, PDAs, medical equipment (not including x-ray machines or other potentially radioactive devices), and other electronic devices used in offices and homes, which have been previously separated from the solid waste stream, are collected and sorted, processed and sold for reuse or packaged for distribution to other facilities where the materials will be further recycled, used as raw materials or will otherwise be returned to the market place. Processing means the preparation of materials by such means as disassembling, refurbishing, baling, briquetting, compacting, grinding, crushing, shredding, and separation into commodity grade materials. The use shall not include the treatment, speculative accumulation or recycling of, cathode ray tubes, hazardous materials, or radioactive Universal Waste as defined by 40 CFR Part 273, as amended from time to time, which shall be shipped off-site to a certified facility for further recycling. In addition the use shall not include smelting, biological, or chemical treatment of the component parts recovered from the electronic devices.
Any facility operated by a private, nonprofit organization offering religious, social, physical, recreational, emergency, or benevolent services, and which is not already specifically allowed in the various zones. The organization shall not carry on a business on the premises. The term shall not include an “adult day care center” or “group residential facility.”
A facility for public services such as fire and police services, emergency medical services (EMS), emergency operation centers, and related administrative services.
An establishment primarily engaged in finding jobs for people seeking them and finding people to fill particular jobs offered by employers.
Alterations which increase the usable area of a “building,” “structure,” or other improvement, or “use” (including the addition of any new “structure” or other improvement). Modifications such as the addition of cupolas, windows, or “canopies,” which do not increase the usable square footage of a “building” or “structure,” or which do not increase the usable square footage of a “building” or “structure,” or which do not expand the occupied usable land area of the “lot,” shall not be considered an enlargement or extension.
A place of entertainment offering live performances (including, but not limited to, comedic and dramatic performances), live or recorded music, or similar activities and which may offer food and/or beverages for consumption on the premises. An entertainment establishment shall not include nightclubs or adult entertainment.
Refer to Subtitle 25: Trees and Vegetation, of the County Code for the definition.
A facility designed and intended for the instruction and display of equestrian skills—including, but not limited to, show jumping and dressage—and the hosting of events, competitions, exhibitions, or other displays of equestrian skills. Accessory uses include the caring for, breeding, boarding, dealing, selling, renting, riding, or training equines. It includes barns, stables, rings, paddocks, or other related accessory structures.
A quasi-judicial hearing involving the receiving of evidence and testimony, which shall be given under admininstered oaths.
An individual living alone as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit, or any of the following, living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit:
An accessory use of a dwelling to provide child care for 9 to 12 children as a large family child care home that is registered by the State Department of Education in accordance with COMAR 13A.18.
An accessory use of a dwelling to provide child care for up to eight children as a family child care home that is registered by the State Department of Education in accordance with COMAR 13A.15, or that is specifically exempt from registration by COMAR 13A.15.02.
An alcohol production facility located on a farm and using agricultural products produced on the farm. Farm breweries, distilleries, rectifiers, or wineries are licensed and regulated by the State of Maryland and Federal Law. Accessory uses may include retail sales of beverages produced on-site as allowed by State licensing laws.
A principal use that includes the sale of horticultural or agricultural products where at least 25 percent of the products sold are agricultural products produced on-site.
An establishment for the sale of plant seeds and bulbs, animal feed, fertilizer, herbicides and soil conditioners, fungicides and insecticides, and similar products to farmers; or for the sale, rental, and/or repair of equipment normally or routinely used on farms or gardens, and related parts, tools and accessories—but not of non-farm equipment or materials.
A single-family detached dwelling or dormitory (but not a multifamily dwelling) that is:
A collection of vendors using private or publicly owned property or property owned by a nonprofit organization for the sale of agricultural and horticultural products grown by the vendor, value-added items produced by the vendor from agricultural, horticultural, or forestry products, or for the sale of foods prepared by the vendor. for more than 106 days in a calendar year, it is considered a principal use. If the farmers’ market operates for 106 or fewer days in a calendar year, it is considered a temporary use.
The design, location, and presence of windows and doors in a building. Where there are fenestration/transparency requirements, the window and door openings counting toward meeting this transparency requirement shall consist of glass that is relatively clear and non-reflective, with a minimum visible light transmittance of 0.65 and maximum visible light reflectance of 0.20.
The production of any materials, of natural or synthetic origin, that is applied to soils or plant tissues to supply one or more nutrients.
The display for retail sale of wood cut and dried to serve as fuel.
Commercial operations and structures for the raising, packaging, canning, freezing, or processing of fish, mollusks, or crustaceans, which may include related activities such as wholesale, retail sales, storage structures, and loading docks.
Transit service provided in rights-of-way dedicated for that service. Commuter rail, heavy rail (such as Metrorail), light rail, and bus rapid transit in dedicated rights-of-way, are considered fixed-guideway transit. Bus services provided in a painted lane or lane shared with traffic are not considered fixed-guideway transit.
The temporary and occasional collection of vendors using stalls, booths, or tables on property owned by a public agency or a nonprofit organization for the sale of merchandise, collectibles, crafts, antiques, or other items, excluding automobiles, automobile parts, and nonportable household appliances.
A building with a flexible, open floor plan that can be configured as needed to house uses such as office, industrial service, light manufacturing, and warehousing uses.
The ratio of the gross floor area of all buildings or structures on a lot to the area of that lot. (Abbreviated as "FAR.”) See Section 27-2202(d), Floor Area Ratio.
A facility for the storing or distribution of treated or prepared food or beverage products at wholesale, but not including the slaughtering of small or large livestock or confined animal feeding operations (food processing), or for the placing of soft drinks, juice, water, milk, alcoholic beverages, or other liquids into bottles or cans for shipment (beverage bottling).
A place where farmers, farm cooperatives, or wholesalers can deliver agriculture products for pick-up by consumers or wholesalers. Food hub does not include such uses as a stockyard or slaughterhouse.
A food market is an establishment that offers specialty food, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), or sundry products at retail, such as meat, seafood, produce, artisanal goods, baked goods, pasta, cheese, confections, coffee, tea, soft drinks and other specialty food products. A food market may also offer additional food and non-food commodities related or complementary to the specialty food products, provided that the sales area of tobacco products is not more than thirty-two (32) square feet or five percent (5%), whichever is less, of the gross floor area of the overall retail sales area. A food market may sell beer, alcohol, and wine for consumption off the premises with the appropriate State of Maryland beverage licenses. The term “food market” includes the term “food or beverage store” and “liquor store” from the prior Zoning Ordinance excepting full-service grocery stores, which are classified as “grocery store” in this Ordinance, and food markets associated with gas stations, which are part of the definition of “gas station” in this Ordinance.
Commercial establishments consisting of three or more individually-licensed businesses within an enclosed building where food and/or beverages may be consumed on the premises, taken out, or delivered, and which may also include small retail venues and/or temporary market stalls, of up to thirty percent of the gross floor area of the use. Food and/or beverage uses shall comprise a minimum of sixty percent of the gross floor area of the use. Patrons may be served while seated and pay after eating, or orders may be made at a walk-up window, counter, machine, or remotely, and payment made prior to food consumption. Characteristics of food and market halls include, but are not limited to: shared entrance/lobby areas; compartmentalized spaces for individually-licensed businesses; craft retail and locally-made products such as, but not limited to, apothecary, clothing, and furniture; art shows; maker space for craft artisans; shared eating areas, shared restrooms, and shared “back of house” areas (e.g. storage, dishwashing, food preparation); live entertainment; artistic performances; and artistic instruction. Each compartmentalized space may have access to the exterior of the building, along with outdoor dining and seating areas, which may be shared with other businesses within the establishment. Any use operating as a food hall use or market hall use or could be construed as a food hall or market hall under this Subtitle that was in operation on or before January 1, 2020, may continue operations in accordance with the provisions of this Subtitle. The term “food and market hall” shall not include an integrated shopping center, flea market, or farmers’ market.
Preparing food for market that causes a change in the natural form or state of the product.
An outdoor unenclosed area in which two or more mobile units, as defined by Subtitle 12: Health, of the County Code, may cluster in order to primarily sell freshly prepared foods or fresh fruits and vegetables.
The use of land whereby forests are tended, harvested for commercial purposes, and reforested either by natural or human reforestation, and where timber is cut and sorted on-site.
A detailed accounting of woody vegetation, prepared in plan and document form, as required by Subtitle 25, Division 2, as explained in the publication, The Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Technical Manual.
An establishment primarily engaged in attempts to tell fortunes or predict the future (for pay or voluntary contributions) by means of occult or psychic powers, faculties, or forces; necromancy, palmistry, psychology, psychic psychometry, spirits, medium-ship, seership, prophecy, cards, talismans, sorcery, charms, potions, magnetism, tea leaves, magic, numerology, mechanical devices, handwriting analyses, phrenology, character readings, or any other similar means.
A building used for lodging by individuals who are members or affiliates of a fraternity or sorority while attending a college or university. It may include facilities for dining for the residents, employees, and guests of the residents. A fraternity or sorority house is not a boarding or rooming house, eleemosynary or philanthropic institution, group residential facility, or dwelling.
The boundary of a lot abutting the right-of-way of a primary street, from which the required setback or build-to zone is measured.
An establishment primarily engaged in the distribution of fuel oil or bottled gases such as propane or liquid petroleum for compensation.
The approved plan for one of the various elements of the General Plan, such as transportation, schools, libraries, hospitals, health centers, parks and other open spaces, police stations, fire stations, utilities, or historic preservation.
A building used for human funeral services. A funeral parlor or undertaking establishment may contain facilities for:
A funeral parlor or undertaking establishment does not include facilities for cremation.
A structure used or designed for the parking and storage of motor vehicles or boats. A garage is an enclosed building whereas a carport is a roofed structure open on one or more sides. Garages and carports are commonly attached to and considered part of a dwelling or other principal building, but may exist as a detached accessory structure.
The temporary use of the garage or yard of a residential dwelling for the sale of miscellaneous items of personal property to the general public.
A building or lot where gasoline or other similar fuel, stored only in underground tanks, is dispensed directly to users of motor vehicles. The following activities are permitted as accessory uses to a gas station:
Services allowed at a gas station do not include major chassis or body work; repair of transmissions or differentials; machine shop work; straightening of body parts; or painting, welding, or other work involving noise, glare, fumes, smoke, or other characteristics to an extent greater than normally found in gas stations.
An establishment engaged in the repair or servicing of agriculture, industrial, business, or consumer machinery, equipment, products, or by-products. Firms that provide these services do so by mainly providing centralized services for separate retail outlets. Contractors and building maintenance services and similar uses perform services off-site. Few customers, especially the general public, come to the site. Accessory activities may include retail sales, offices, and storage.
The approved plan for the physical development of the Regional District for that portion of the District in Prince George’s County.
An area of land laid out for playing golf. A golf course may include accessory recreational facilities, such as driving ranges, putting greens, concessions for serving food and refreshments to members and guests, horse shoe pits, picnic areas, and accessory facilities directly related to golf.
A limited area of land on which people can remain in a single location to practice their golf swing from a common driving tee or pad. Accessory uses may include a concessions stand, netting, exterior lighting fixtures, putting greens, as well as maintenance and outdoor storage areas. This use does not include a golf course.
See Subtitle 32, Division 2: Grading, Drainage and Erosion and Sediment Control, of the County Code of Ordinances.
An area of land associated with, and located on the same parcel of land as, a building for which it serves to provide light and air, or scenic, recreational, or similar purposes. Green area shall generally be available for use by the occupants of the building, but may include a limited amount of space to enhance the amenity of the development by providing landscaping features, screening for the benefit of people in neighboring areas, or a general appearance of openness. Green area may include lawns, decorative plantings, sculptures, wooded areas, landscaped areas covering structures that are not more than 12 feet above ground level, sidewalks and walkways, furniture, active and passive recreational areas, community gardens, green area, and water surfaces comprising not more than ten percent of the total green area. It shall not include parking lots or other vehicular surfaces, or accessory buildings, except as otherwise provided.
A roof of a structure that is partially or completely covered with vegetated landscape built up from a series of layers. Vegetation on green roofs is planted in a growing substrate that may range in depth from 50 millimeters to more than a meter, depending on the weight capacity of the structure’s roof and the aims of the design. Green roofs may be appropriate for food production.
A linear park that links various parts of the community with facilities such as bicycle paths and footpaths.
A grocery store is an establishment that offers a variety of unrelated, non-complementary food and non-food commodities, such as beverages, dairy, dry goods, fresh produce, meat, fish, and other perishable items, frozen foods, household products, and paper goods; may provide beer, wine, and/or liquor sales for consumption off the premises with the appropriate State of Maryland beverage license; may include a prescription pharmacy; may include a delicatessen and/or bakery, and prepare minor amounts of food on site for immediate consumption; markets the majority of its merchandise at retail prices; and may have a restaurant as an accessory use.
The total number of square feet of floor area in a building, excluding garages and structured parking areas, those portions of a basement used exclusively for storage or other areas used exclusively for a building’s mechanical equipment, and uncovered steps and porches, but including the total floor area of accessory buildings on the same lot. All horizontal measurements shall be made between the exterior faces of walls, columns, foundations, or other means of support or enclosure. It includes walkways or plazas within wholly enclosed shopping malls but does not include covered walkways or plazas in other shopping centers, or other areas covered solely by canopies. (Abbreviated as "GFA.")
A residential facility operated by a responsible individual or organization that has a program designed to provide a supportive living arrangement for five or more individuals (unrelated to the operator by blood, adoption, or marriage) who are members of a service population that, because of age or emotional, mental, physical, familial, or social conditions, needs supervision.
This use includes facilities for developmentally disabled persons, drug dependent persons, alcoholic persons, juveniles, or persons whose welfare and adjustment within the community are dependent on support from the community.
The use does not include:
A group residential facility for the mentally disabled for up to eight residents shall be considered a single-family detached dwelling. A mentally disabled population includes any individual with a primary disability as a result of mental retardation, mental illness, or mental disorder which impairs the person's cognitive ability to live independently (excluding addictive disorders resulting from substance abuse).
A detached “accessory building” used to house the transient guests of the occupants of the main “dwelling.” The “guest house” shall not be separately rented, leased, or sold.
A room or suite of rooms in which living and sleeping accommodations are provided for one (1) or more paying visitors. “Guest rooms” shall have no provisions for cooking, except in the case of “guest rooms” in a “hotel” or “motel,” where “guest rooms” may contain a “kitchenette.” Rooms in “private dormitories” and “fraternity or sorority houses” are not “guest rooms.”
A harmonious, balanced mix of medical, residential, and limited commercial uses, and which are necessary to meet the needs of the campus.
An indoor establishment, including saunas and steam baths, offering or providing facilities for, and instruction in, general health, physical fitness, and controlled exercises such as, but not limited to, weight lifting, calisthenics and aerobic/slimnastic dancing, and massages.
A tool that may include a combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a policy, program or project may be evaluated as to its potential effects on the health of a population, the distribution of those effects within the population, and provide a platform to make our communities healthier.
A facility for the fabrication of heavy armaments ranging from man-portable rockets, missiles, and machine guns to motorized and mechanized armaments, weapons designed for ship, aircraft, or permanent emplacement, and similar armaments.
An establishment engaged in the display, sale, leasing, rental, servicing, or storage of heavy equipment of 12,000 or more pounds gross vehicular weight (GVW).
See building height.
A facility located on the roof of an office or other building (like a hospital) that accommodates the landing and take-off of helicopters.
Areas within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone that are impacted by noise levels exceeding 74 dBA Ldn as established by Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(C): Noise Intensity. (Abbreviated as “HINA.”)
Any station, bus stop, or other transit facility served by scheduled transit on weekday peak-level frequencies of 15 minutes or less and weekday off-peak frequencies of 20 minutes or less.
Soils with an erodibility (K) factor greater than 0.35 as determined by the Prince George’s Soil Conservation District.
The Historic Preservation Commission for Prince George’s County established in Division 3 of Subtitle 29, Historic Preservation Commission, of the County Code. See Section 27-3307, Historic Preservation Commission.
Modifications customarily made to dwellings for the purpose of enlargement, alteration, or addition.
Any occupation or enterprise for gain or profit carried on in a dwelling unit and which meets the criteria of Section 27-5203(b)(6), Home Occupation. The following uses are permitted as a home occupation accessory to, incidental to, and secondary to a dwelling unit, subject to restrictions in the definitions of those uses, and with additional restrictions as indicated:
The following uses are not permitted as a home occupation accessory to a dwelling unit:
An institution receiving inpatients and providing medical care on a 24-hours-per-day basis. The term includes general hospitals, sanitariums, and institutions in which service is limited to fields of specialization, such as cardiac, eye, ear, nose and throat, pediatric, orthopedic, skin, cancer, mental, tuberculosis, chronic disease, and obstetrics. The facilities may also include outpatient care, ambulatory care, offices of medical practitioners, adult day care, respite care, medical day care and day care for sick children, gift shops, restaurants, and other accessory uses. The term shall not include an adult day care center, assisted living facility, group residential facility, or nursing or care home.
A “building” which contains six (6) or more “guest rooms,” none of which have entrances from outside the “building,” and where (for compensation) temporary lodging is provided. A bed and breakfast, boarding or rooming house, fraternity or sorority house, motel, or private dormitory shall not be considered a “hotel.”
The primary surface, approach-departure clearance surface, inner horizontal surface, or transitional surface, individually or collectively, as defined within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone. According to CFR 77.25, an object that exceeds this imaginary surface is an Obstruction to Air Navigation.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, an imaginary surface that is an oval plane at a height of 150 feet above the established airfield elevation. The inner boundary intersects with the approach-departure clearance surface and the transitional surface. The outer boundary is formed by scribing arcs with a radius 7,500 feet from the centerline of each runway end and interconnecting these arcs with tangents, illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(B): Height, as "D."
For the purposes of this Zoning Ordinance, the area between Interstate 495 and Prince George's County’s western boundary, inclusive of the corporate boundaries of the City of College Park, the City of Glenarden, and the Town of Forest Heights.
Any land or “building” used for the sale, storage, or collection of abandoned, dismantled, discarded, demolished, or worn out scrap materials, other than materials from motor vehicles, “trailers,” and “mobile homes.” The term does not include “vehicle salvage yards” and “recycling plants.” Any land or “building” used for the collection, storage, and shipping of recyclable paper, but no other scrap material, is not a “junkyard.”
The use of land and structures to provide forage, shelter, and care to one or more horses or ponies.
An establishment where a person engages in boarding, breeding, buying, grooming, letting for hire, training (for a fee), or selling dogs or cats, for which a license is required pursuant to Subtitle 3 of the County Code. This term does not include a pet grooming establishment. The number of animals permitted in the kennel shall be addressed as part of the special exception approval.
A solid waste management facility other than a construction and demolition debris disposal facility that is the final resting place for materials that normally result from land clearing and or land development operations for a construction project—including rocks, soils, trees, tree remains, and other vegetative matter, but not vegetative matter from lawn and landscape maintenance, right-of-way or easement maintenance, farming operations, nursery operations, or other sources not related to a construction project. This use is subject to State solid waste management regulations.
The document that promulgates the standards and criteria for developing landscaped, buffered, and screened areas in Prince George's County, and which is adopted and revised and amended from time to time by the District Council.
A business engaged in the planning, installation, construction, planting, repair, and maintenance of gardens, lawns, shrubs, vines, bushes, trees, and other decorative vegetation, including the grading and preparation of plots and areas of land for decorative treatment and arrangement, and the construction or installation of garden pools, fountains, pavilions, conservatories, hothouses, greenhouses, and drainage and sprinkler systems.
An establishment where automatic washing machines, clothes dryers, or dry-cleaning machines are provided for use by the general public.
An establishment primarily engaged in providing lawn care services (e.g., mowing, aeration, seeding, fertilizer, landscaping) or pest control services (e.g., inspection, extermination).
An amendment to the text of this Zoning Ordinance. See Section 27-3501, Legislative Amendment.
The distribution, for compensation, of fuel oil or bottled gases such as propane or liquid petroleum in containers no greater than five gallons in volume.
For purposes of establishing a score under the Street Connectivity Index (see Section 27-6206(f)(2), Connectivity Index Score Calculation) a link represents the stretches of road that connect the nodes, alleys, substreets and pedestrian connections within the subdivision, links external to the subdivision that connect to nodes associated with the development, and the street stubs within the subdivision (serving as temporary dead-end streets).
A facility for the storage and distribution of liquid natural gas, liquid petroleum gas, and similar liquid gases typically consisting of above-ground and underground storage tanks and distribution pipelines.
Animals commonly regarded as farm animals, including, but not limited to, cattle, horses, goats, rabbits, pigs, llamas, ostriches or emus, and sheep.
A designated area of land to be used, developed, or built upon as a unit (in accordance with this Subtitle), and having the minimum contiguous area required for a “lot” in the applicable zone and frontage on a public “street,” or private road, right-of-way, or easement approved in accordance with Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations. A lot shall be made up of one (1) or more entire “record lots.”
A “lot” abutting two (2) or more “streets” at their intersection, where the interior angle of intersection does not exceed one hundred thirty-five degrees (135°).
Any “lot” other than a “corner lot.”
An area of land designated as a separate parcel of land on a “record plat,” or on a legally recorded deed (to land for which no “subdivision” plat is required pursuant to the provisions of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations) filed among the Land Records of Prince George's County, Maryland.
Either an "interior lot" fronting on two (2) or more "streets," or a "corner lot" fronting on three (3) or more "streets."
The percentage of a lot which is covered by all “buildings,” covered structures, and areas for vehicular access and parking of vehicles.
Lines bounding a “lot.”
The line running along the “front of the lot” and separating it from the “street.” In this Subtitle, the “front lot line” is also called the “front street line.” In a “through lot,” all lines abutting the “streets” are “front street lines.” On a “corner lot” the shortest lot line that abuts a “street” is the front lot line. If the “lot lines” abutting “streets” are of equal length, the “lot” fronts on the “street” having the longest frontages within the same “block.”
The “lot line” generally opposite or parallel to the “front street line,” except in a “through lot” which has no “rear lot line.” If a “rear lot line” is less than ten (10) feet long or the “lot” comes to a point at the rear, the “rear lot line” is a line at least ten (10) feet long (lying wholly within the “lot”), parallel to the “front street line” or, if the “front street line” is curved, parallel to the chord of the arc of the “front street line.”
Any “lot line” other than a “front street line” or a “rear lot line.” A “side lot line” separating the “lot” from a “street” is a “side street line.” In the absence of a “front street line,” all “lot lines” are “side lot lines.”
An amendment to an approved Functional Master Plan, Area Master Plan, or Sector Plan that exceeds the scope of a minor plan amendment, but which does not necessitate the preparation and approval of a new plan.
A structure, transportable in one or more sections, that in the traveling mode is 8 feet or more in width or 40 feet or more in length, or, where erected on a site, is 320 square feet or more, and that is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation where connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditions, and electrical systems contained therein. For the purpose of this Zoning Ordinance, a mobile home shall be considered a manufactured home.
The temporary placement and use of a manufactured home dwelling to provide emergency replacement housing following the destruction or damage of a dwelling by a fire, hurricane, tornado, flooding, or other physical catastrophe and until the dwelling is repaired, reconstructed, or replaced with a permanent dwelling.
A residential development designed to accommodate manufactured home dwellings, together with various other facilities for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the park. The use does not include a campground.
Land on which the primary use is the display and retail sale of manufactured home dwellings and/or modular homes.
An establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing uses that involve the creation of art or goods from raw or previously prepared materials. Such uses may include assembly of component parts and the creation of products for sale to the wholesale or retail markets or directly to consumers. Such uses are wholly confined within an enclosed building, do not include processing of hazardous gases and chemicals, and do not emit noxious noise, smoke, vapors, fumes, dust, glare, odor, or vibration. This use type does not include other manufacturing uses specifically listed in the principal use tables. Examples include, but are not limited to, painting; sculpture; photography; music composition and production; dance; traditional and fine craftsmanship; writing; film or animation production; dance; traditional and fine craftsmanship; writing; film or animation production; metal work; glass or ceramic work; jewelry, leader, or apparel production; and similar methods to produce artwork or goods.
An establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing uses that include, but are not limited to: the manufacture or assembly of machinery, equipment, instruments, vehicles, appliances, communications equipment, computer or electronic equipment, precision items and other electrical items; manufacture of metaling; manufacture of fertilizers; manufacture of soap; the processing of food and related products; pulp and paper mills, and the manufacture of other wood products. This use type does not include other manufacturing uses specifically listed in the principal use tables, or the manufacture of acids, ammunition, fertilizer, insecticides, or batteries.
An establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing uses that involve the mechanical transformation predominantly of previously prepared materials into new products, including assembly of component parts and the creation of products for sale to the wholesale or retail markets or directly to consumers. Such uses are wholly confined within an enclosed building, do not include processing of hazardous gases and chemicals, and do not emit noxious noise, smoke, vapors, fumes, dust, glare, odor, or vibration. This use type does not include other manufacturing uses specifically listed in the principal use tables. Examples include, but are not limited to: computer design and development; apparel production; sign making; assembly of pre-fabricated parts; container fabrication; manufacture of electric, electronic, or optical instruments or devices; manufacture and assembly of artificial limbs, dentures, hearing aids, and surgical instruments; manufacture, processing, and packing of cosmetics; manufacture of components, jewelry, clothing, trimming decorations; and any similar item.
A waterfront facility which, for a fee, provides for the berthing, mooring, or water storage of boats. The use may include such facilities as major and minor boat repair; boat docks, piers, and slips; boat fueling; dry land boat maintenance and storage; pump-out stations; fishing piers; beaches; erosion control devices; boat ramps, lifts, and launching facilities; boat sales, including parts; restaurants; ship’s store; sale of ice; car and boat trailer parking; laundromat; locker rooms; cabanas; bathhouse; public showers; outdoor playing courts; and picnic areas.
Any establishment primarily engaged in the administering of massages for pay by a massage therapist duly licensed or certified by the State of Maryland. This use does not include the following uses, which may include the administering of massages:
For purposes of Section 27-5402(nn), Medical Cannabis Dispensary, a facility, office, or clinic where patients are examined or treated by physicians, including hospitals and outpatient facilities, urgent care centers, physical therapy offices, and dentists, but does not include drug or alcohol treatment facilities, State-licensed medical clinics, or massage therapy establishments.
A place that primarily serves the needs of the retirement-aged community intended to provide a balance of residential dwellings and amenities and medical services. A medial/residential campus may include commercial or service-oriented uses to serve the needs of residents.
A medical or dental office is a small-scale facility or office where patients are admitted for examination and treatment by one or more physicians, dentists, or other health practitioners on a short-term basis. The use includes the offices of physicians, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, podiatrists, audiologists, speech pathologists, physical therapists, acupuncturists, psychologists, and other health practitioners. It also includes facilities providing short-term outpatient care and treatment (which may or may not be overnight), such as urgent care centers, kidney dialysis centers, ambulatory surgical clinics, outpatient pain therapy clinics, biofeedback centers, sleep disorder clinics, family planning clinics, community health clinics, and health maintenance organization (HMO) medical clinics, and hospice facilities. Such facilities that provide overnight care and treatment may include sleeping rooms for care workers and members of patients’ families. This use does not include hospitals or blood/tissue collection centers, drug or alcohol treatment facilities, or massage establishments.
Medical or dental labs are facilities and offices for performing services to provide information or materials for use in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease or a medical or dental condition. Such services include, but are not limited to, the examination of bodily fluids or tissues and the production or repair of prosthetic dentures, bridges, or other dental appliances. They may be a part of doctor’s or dentist’s offices.
An establishment primarily engaged in processing metals to create individual parts or assemblies, fabricating products by joining metals through welding, or installing or repairing piping or tubing systems that convey liquids, gas, steam, or water.
A defined land area where regulations in Section 27-4402(c), Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, modify zoning standards and requirements.
A recreational facility for the playing of a novelty version of golf with a putter, typically with artificial playing surfaces and theme-oriented obstacles such as bridges and tunnels.
An amendment to an approved Functional Master Plan, Area Master Plan, or Sector Plan limited by, and prepared, adopted, and approved through the minor plan amendment approval process in Section 27-3502(i) of this Ordinance.
Abbreviation of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Any premises where a customer, for a fee, is permitted to photograph, sketch, observe, view, paint, draw, sculpt or otherwise depict, or direct the poses of, a live human figure model in the nude or seminude. This term shall not be construed to include a theatre, an accredited school, or any similar type of cultural or educational use.
A compensatory education modular classroom which is used exclusively for the purpose of providing educational services to private school students pursuant to Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C., Section 2701 et seq. 28 (Title 1).
An establishment primarily engaged in cutting, shaping, and finishing marble, granite, slate, and other stone, or engaged in buying or selling monuments or headstones for use in cemeteries or mausoleums.
A business operation with the primary purpose of the transfer, storage, and the distribution of goods and materials to another location for the purpose of resale or use at the place to which they are distributed. It involves use of tractor-trailer or tandem truck vehicles for the movement of goods.
An incorporated city or town.
A plan and supporting documentation or letter as defined in Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations.
An establishment primarily involved in carrying out operations necessary for producing and distributing newspapers, including gathering news; writing news columns, feature stories, and editorials; selling and preparing advertisements; and publishing of newspapers in print or electronic form. Not included are establishments primarily engaged in printing publications without publishing (categorized as manufacturing and production uses) or education or membership organizations incidentally engaged in publishing magazines or newsletters for distribution to their membership.
A County newspaper, designated as such by the District Council, in accordance with the requirements of the Charter of Prince George's County, Maryland.
A place of entertainment offering live performances, live or recorded music, and dancing. A nightclub may offer food and/or beverages for consumption on the premises. Performances related to the display of specified activities or nudity are categorized as adult entertainment and are prohibited within nightclubs.
For purposes of establishing a score under the Street Connectivity Index (see Section 27-6206(f)(2), Connectivity Index Score Calculation), a node represents street intersections and cul-de-sac heads within the subdivision.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, one of the series of boundaries illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(C): Noise Intensity, showing the increases in the intensity of noise as measured in Decibels (dBA Ldn).
A study prepared and signed by a professional engineer with competence in acoustical analysis. There are two principal types of noise studies:
A record lot that was legally created before this Ordinance, or an amendment thereto, was adopted, that is rendered non-compliant with the dimensional standards in this Ordinance.
Any building or structure which is not in conformance with a requirement of the zone in which it is located (as it applies to the building or structure), provided that:
The use of any building, structure, or land which is not in conformance with the requirement of the zone in which it is located (as it specifically applies to the use), provided that:
Indoor or outdoor facilities for recreation activities operated by a bona fide nonprofit group or organization.
See Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, for the definition.
Structures or an area of land used for the display and sale of nursery stock or garden supplies.
Structures or an area of land located on land used for agriculture that is used for the display and sale of nursery stock or garden supplies. This use does not include a temporary wayside stand.
A licensed institution providing comprehensive medical and nursing services for chronically ill, disabled, or convalescent patients who require supervised care on a 24-hour-per-day basis. Services are rendered by or under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. The use includes facilities providing subacute level nursing care and restorative care. Accessory uses may include dining rooms and recreation and physical therapy facilities for residents, and offices and storage facilities for professional and supervisory staff. This use does not include assisted living facilities, where the focus is on providing personal care rather than medical care, or hospitals, where acute and specialized medical care is provided.
A principal use for conducting the affairs of various businesses, professions, services, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies—including administration, record keeping, clerical work, and similar business functions. Accessory uses may include uses intended to serve the daily needs of office employees, such as restaurants, coffee shops, newspapers, or candy stands.
A development containing a number of separate office buildings that is designed, constructed, and operated on an integrated and coordinated basis and under a uniform scheme of development.
Outdoor storage as a principal use is the keeping, in an unroofed area, of any goods, material, merchandise, or vehicles in the same place for more than 24 hours, where such storage is the principal use of a lot. This use does not include a junkyard or vehicle salvage yard or the display and storage of vehicles as part of an automobile, recreational vehicle, trailer, or truck sales or rental use.
Outdoor storage as an accessory use is the keeping, in an unroofed area on the site of a principal use, of any goods, material, merchandise, or vehicles associated with the principal use in the same place for more than 24 hours. This use does not include a junkyard or vehicle salvage yard or the display and storage of vehicles as part of an automobile, recreational vehicle, trailer, or truck sales or rental use.
See Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations.
A parcel that is part of a development located on the exterior of the development, generally adjacent to the street.
For the purposes of this Zoning Ordinance, all areas within Prince George's County that are not located between Interstate 495 and the County’s western boundary or within the corporate boundaries of the City of College Park, the City of Glenarden, or the Town of Forest Heights.
The person in whom legal or equitable title rests. Owner means any part owner, joint owner, owner of a community or partnership interest, life tenant, tenant in common, tenant by the entirety, or joint tenant. Where the signature of an owner is required, the term owner includes anyone having clear legal authority to act on behalf of the actual owner.
A facility used for the fabrication of products made from paper, paperboard, and similar materials originating from pressed plant fibers.
A facility used for the collection, storage, and shipping of recyclable paper and paper products.
A business establishment that provides goods and services to facilitate the transmittal and receipt of parcels and packages.
An off-street parking facility designed or intended to provide peripheral collection and storage of motor vehicles and bicycles to accommodate commuter traffic into or out of the community via a nearby transit station or terminal located within convenient walking distance of the facility. Accessory structures may include passenger shelters.
Land used for recreation, exercise, sports, education, rehabilitation, or similar activities, or a land area intended to enhance the enjoyment of natural features or natural beauty, including dog parks and excluding commercially operated amusement parks.
Any public or private area, under or outside of a building or structure, designed and used for parking motor vehicles, including parking lots, garages, private driveways, and legally designated areas of public streets.
The parking module consisting of one row of parking spaces or stalls and the drive aisle from which motor vehicles enter and leave the spaces.
An analysis of the total number of parking spaces required in order to accommodate the optimal number of vehicles for parking purposes by a particular use or site at any given time, including the parking requirements for all employees, occupants, clients, and visitors.
The use of an off-street, hard-surfaced, area—or a structure composed of one or more levels or floors—exclusively for the temporary storage of motor vehicles. A structured parking facility may be completely below grade or partially or totally above grade, with levels either being open to the sides (deck) or enclosed (garage).
An off-street parking area provided for the temporary storage of motor vehicles for no longer than thirty (30) days or the length of time specified in any associated temporary use permit.
A vehicular accessway located within an off-street parking or vehicular use area which serves individual parking stalls and driveways. Parking lot drive aisles are not streets and are not subject to any standards for streets in this Subtitle, except that primary drive aisles shall be designed in accordance with Section 27-6304(i)(1).
A site where commercial vehicles having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight specification of greater than 17,000 pounds may be parked for short- and long-term storage.
A space designated for the parking or temporary storage of one motor vehicle in addition to the space necessary for the ingress and egress from the vehicle by a person with disabilities and any equipment needed for that purpose.
A space that is designated for the parking or temporary storage of one motor vehicle located outside of a dedicated street right-of-way, vehicular travel way, or parking aisle.
A building for short-term storage of motor vehicles, having two or more tiers or levels, that has open sides or is enclosed, with the top tier or level either roofed or not.
A portion of the required off-street parking associated with a use that is not installed at the time of construction, but delayed or deferred until a parking demand study can be completed to determine if the additional required parking is needed.
Off-street parking facilities shared by two or more uses that are in close proximity to one another and the parking area, and that have different operational characteristics such that use of the parking facilities by one use will not generally overlap with the use of the parking area by the other use(s).
A parking space within a group of two or more parking spaces arranged one behind the other.
An area, usually paved, adjoining a building and used as an area for outdoor dining or gathering.
A business at which a person lends money on the deposit or pledge of tangible personal property or purchases tangible personal property on the condition of reselling the same to the seller at a stipulated price.
One or more adjoining structures housing one or more of the following uses: theaters or performance space for dramatic, dance, or musical productions; museums or galleries for display or exhibition of any form of artwork; schools, training centers, or practice space for artists; and accessory office, storage, or workplace areas for any such uses.
Any individual or natural person, legal entity, joint stock company, partnership, voluntary association, society, club, firm, company, corporation, business or other trust, civic association, municipality, government organization or entity, or any other organization, whether or not legally incorporated.
Uses including, but not limited to, a beauty salon or barbershop, a massage establishment, a nail care establishment, or saunas and steam baths. This term does not include a health club or a pet grooming establishment.
A laundromat or a dry-cleaning or laundry drop-off/pick-up establishment.
An establishment primarily engaged in providing repair services for audiovisual equipment, bicycles, clocks, watches, jewelry, shoes, guns, canvas products, appliances, and office equipment—including tailors, locksmiths, and upholsterer services.
A business principally engaged in providing travel arrangement and reservation services to the general public and not to commercial clients.
Establishments, excluding vehicle paint finishing shops, that repair, install, or maintain the mechanical components or the bodies of autos, small trucks or vans, motorcycles, motor homes, or recreational vehicles including recreational boats or that wash, clean, or otherwise protect the exterior or interior surfaces of these vehicles. Includes paint booths, mixing areas, and spraying or similar means of application of automobile paint customarily incidental to personal vehicle repair and maintenance operations.
An establishment where a pet animal may be cleaned, styled, or otherwise have its appearance maintained. This does not include day care or boarding facilities, such as a dog day care or kennel.
A facility primarily engaged in the large-scale processing of photographic film into finished slides and prints.
An individual who has a physical impairment that:
A building, structure, or area of land where people regularly assemble to conduct religious worship, ceremonies, rituals, and related education. Places of worship include chapels, churches, mosques, shrines, synagogues, tabernacles, temples, and other similar religious places of assembly.
An integrated development that offers senior citizens a full continuum of housing options and assistance, ranging from fully independent dwelling units, to assistance with personal care in assisted living facilities, to long-term skilled nursing care in a nursing or care home.
The Prince George's County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. See Section 27-3302, Prince George’s County Planning Board (Planning Board).
The Planning Director of the Prince George’s County Planning Department, or a designee. See Section 27-3305, Planning Director.
A drive aisle in a parking lot that is directly in front of the primary facades of structures being served by the parking lot. The primary drive aisle functions as a collector of circulating vehicles from the drive aisles serving perpendicular parking spaces and/or that connects directly to the property’s access points to a public street.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, an imaginary surface symmetrically centered on the runway, extending 200 feet beyond each runway end that defines the limits of the obstruction clearance requirements in the vicinity of the landing area. The width of the primary surface is 2,000 feet, or 1,000 feet on each side of the runway centerline, illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(B): Height, as "A."
A commercial establishment primarily engaged in lithographic (offset), gravure, flexographic, screen, quick, digital, or other method of printing or reproduction on stock materials on a job order basis.
A building not owned or operated by a college or university that contains bedrooms primarily for students attending a college or university. Bedrooms may be arranged around a common area with a kitchen which is shared by individuals renting the bedrooms, or along a hall which provides access to a common kitchen space. Bedrooms shall be rented on an annual basis or for an academic semester or summer term. Accessory uses may include fitness facilities, pools, parking areas, and similar facilities. A boarding or rooming house is not a private dormitory, nor is rental of single-family homes to students.
An educational institution that offers a program of high school, middle school (or junior high school), elementary school (including kindergarten, pre-kindergarten, pre-kindergarten – 8, or nursery school), or academy instruction meeting State requirements for a school. Such uses include classrooms, laboratories, auditoriums, libraries, cafeterias, before- and after-school care, athletic facilities, dormitories, and other facilities that further the educational mission of the institution.
A structure used for the sale of produce and other goods.
A structure or facility that is a relatively major component of an infrastructure system providing community- or region-wide utility services. Examples of major public utility uses or structures include potable water treatment plants, water towers, wastewater treatment plants, solid waste facilities, gas compressor stations, and electrical substations. This use does not include telecommunications facilities, monopoles, or towers; or antennas.
A structure or facility that by itself is a relatively minor component of an infrastructure system providing community- or region-wide utility services and that needs to be in or near the neighborhood or use type where the service is provided. Examples of minor utility facilities include water and sewage pipes and pump stations, stormwater pipes and retention/detention facilities, telephone lines and local exchanges, electric lines and transformers, gas transmission pipes and valves, and CATV lines. A privately owned small wireless facility as defined in this Subtitle is a minor public utility use or structure. This use does not include telecommunications facilities, monopoles, or towers; or antennas.
The use of and development of public facilities on a public beach for recreational or educational purposes.
As defined in Section 11-239 of the Tax—General Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time, being also a building or group of buildings used to house computer systems, computer storage equipment, and associated infrastructure that businesses or other organizations use to organize, process, store, and disseminate large amounts of data, which may be a co-located or hosting data center where equipment, space and bandwidth are available to lease to multiple customers, or an enterprise data center owned and operated by the company it supports.
For purposes of this Ordinance, an individual who:
A facility consisting of a track used primarily for the spectator-oriented sport of vehicle or animal racing. The facility may include seating, concession areas, related retail sales, and facilities for the temporary storage and preparation of racing vehicles or housing, grooming, and training of animals who are racing at the track.
A structure or area used for holding court games (basketball, tennis, racquetball, squash, etc.). Accessory uses or structures may include a concession stand, netting, exterior lighting fixtures, public bathrooms, maintenance and storage areas, and spectator seating or stands.
A commercial establishment that provides indoor or outdoor facilities for recreation or entertainment-oriented activities by patrons or members. Use types include: amusement arcades, amusement centers, aquatic centers or natatoriums, archery or baseball batting ranges, health clubs, miniature golf courses, recreation courts, skating facilities, swimming pools, and similar uses.
An outdoor facility designed for overnight accommodation of human beings in tents, cabins, and shelters for recreation, education, naturalist, or vacation purposes. Office, retail, and other commercial uses commonly established in such facilities and related parking areas shall be allowed as accessory structures.
An establishment which provides entertainment, recreation, or amusement for profit, (which may include a "video lottery facility" in accordance with Section 27-5102(e)(7)(D), Recreational or Entertainment Establishment of a Commercial Nature with a Video Lottery Facility). This term shall include any indoor recreation facility principally used for rental to the general public for banquets, dances, and other similar events, if the facility is not sanctioned by another special exception or private clubs or lodges. This term shall not include an amusement arcade, health club, nightclub, entertainment establishment, or massage establishment.
Supervised recreation (not operated by a public agency) for children (three (3) to sixteen (16) years of age) during regularly scheduled periods not exceeding two (2) hours daily before school classes begin and four (4) hours daily after the normal school closing time, which is operated in a community-oriented facility, such as a place of worship, service club, school, or civic association building.
A facility where recyclable materials are purchased or accepted from the public, then shipped or distributed to an appropriate facility for processing.
A facility providing for the recycling of metals and alloys that contain little to no iron or steel into bundles or pallets for distribution to manufacturers that will re-use the metal in new products. Smelting or re-casting metals on-site is also permitted.
Any establishment in which a finished product is broken down (excluding biological or chemical decomposition) with the intent of either making a new product or reusing the disassembled parts. Vehicle demolition, salvage, storage operations, electronic recycling facilities, and concrete recycling facilities are not included.
See Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, for the definition.
See Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, for the definition.
A remand of a “zoning case” back to the Planning Board for the purpose of processing an application over again as if it were a new one.
A facility primarily engaged in basic and applied research and development of experimental study, testing, or analysis of innovative ideas in the natural and medical sciences, engineering, or other technology-intensive fields. Examples include research and development of computer software, information systems, communication and transportation systems, geographic information systems, multimedia and video technology, pharmaceuticals, and disease control.
A private recreational facility for use solely by the residents and guests of a particular residential development, including single-family residential subdivisions, multifamily, townhouse, and mixed-use developments.
An establishment where food and/or beverages are prepared, served, and consumed, and whose principal method of operation includes one or both of the following characteristics: (1) customers are normally provided with an individual menu and served their food and beverages by a restaurant employee at the same table or counter where the items are consumed; or (2) a cafeteria-type operation where food and beverages generally are consumed within the restaurant building. A restaurant may also provide on-site entertainment in the form of live performances or live or recorded music.
An eating or drinking establishment that has any one or more of the following characteristics:
The offering of products associated with a manufacturing, warehouse, or wholesale use for retail sale to the general public on the premises of the manufacturing, warehouse, or wholesale use. An example is an outlet or seconds shop located at a manufacturing plant.
Small-scale retail sales or service uses on the premises of a multifamily development use that offer convenience goods and other goods and services serving the day-to-day needs of residents and guests of the multifamily development. Such uses include, but are not limited to, a beauty salon or barbershop, small eating or drinking establishment, small grocery store or food market, or florist.
A structure designed and constructed to retain (hold back) any material (usually earth) and prevent it from sliding or eroding away. Retaining walls are used when there is a change in ground elevation that exceeds the angle of repose of the soil.
An establishment where horses or ponies are boarded and cared for, where horses may be rented to the general public for riding, and where instruction in riding, jumping, and showing may be offered.
A structure or portion of land used for the discharge of firearms for recreational or training purposes.
See boarding or rooming house.
Activities that do not require a building permit, that are associated with regular (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) or general upkeep of a building, parking lot or parking facility, signage or open space, equipment, machine, plant, or system against normal wear and tear that maintain the asset's functionality and preserve value.
A solid waste management facility that is the final resting place for materials discarded from the construction, renovation, or demolition of a structure that is generally considered to be nonhazardous and not water soluble—including, but not limited to, steel, glass, brick, concrete, asphalt materials, pipe, gypsum wallboard, and lumber. A construction and demolition debris disposal facility may also contain land clearing debris such as rocks, soil, trees, and other vegetative matter. These facilities are subject to State permitting requirements and regulations.
A place where disused vehicles or other machinery is dismantled and the parts saved and processed for resale.
Flagellation or torture by or upon a human who is nude, or clad in undergarments, or in a revealing or bizarre costume, or the condition of one who is nude or so clothed and is being fettered, bound, or otherwise physically restrained.
Accident Potential Zone 1, Accident Potential Zone 2, and the Clear Zone, individually or collectively, as defined within this Subtitle, and illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(4)(C): Accident Potential/Clear Zones North and South.
The process of crushing mined sand or gravel material, screening the materials by size and washing them with the use of water sprays, and stockpiling and dewatering them.
A facility where trash, garbage, construction debris, stumps, limbs, leaves and other solid waste is placed in layers, compacted, and covered with earth or other approved covering material at the end of each day's operation, under a State permit and regulations. This use does not include rubble (construction and demolition debris) landfill or a land clearing debris landfill.
A round or parabolic antenna and its supporting structure for the purposes of sending and/or receiving radio or electromagnetic signals.
An operation or facility established for the purpose of sawing or planing of logs or trees.
A temporary operation or facility established for the purpose of sawing or planing of logs or trees grown and harvested on the site.
A temporary business enterprise that is conducted primarily outdoors and offers for retail sale decorative items that are, by their nature, in particular demand during a relatively short peak season—including, but not limited to, Christmas trees, pumpkins, flowers, and fireworks.
A comprehensive rezoning of one or more properties pursuant to, and intended to implement, the recommendations of an Area Master Plan or Sector Plan. See Section 27-3503, Sectional Map Amendment (SMA).
A comprehensive plan for the physical development of part of one or more planning areas, showing in detail elements such as the type, density, and intensity of land uses; pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic features; public facilities; and the relationship between the various uses to transportation, other public facilities and services, and amenities within the sector plan area, and where appropriate, to other areas. Any reference to an Area Master Plan in this Ordinance shall equally apply to a Sector Plan.
An establishment primarily engaged in the pumping out and other maintenance of septic tanks.
Human masturbation, sexual intercourse, or any touching of or contact with the genitals, pubic areas, or buttocks of the human male or female, or the breasts of the female, whether alone or between members of the same or opposite sex, or between humans and animals.
The condition of human male or female genitals, or the breasts of the female, when in a state of sexual stimulation, or the sensual experiences of humans engaging in or witnessing sexual conduct or nudity.
A licensed and regulated kitchen facility where raw and/or processed food products are used to prepare ready-to-eat foods for sale in wholesale or retail markets or for serving at events. A commercial kitchen is typically a shared facility that is rented by caterers, farmers’ market vendors, food truck operators, or other who prepare ready-to-eat products. Tenants may operate simultaneously or separately. These kitchens may be used as incubation facilities for beginning food entrepreneurs. Shared commercial kitchens shall be licenses, inspected, and permitted by the Prince George’s County Health Department.
A group of four or more nonresidential establishments that primarily consist of retail sales and services establishments and personal service uses, under single or multiple ownership, in one or more buildings, that is planned, constructed, and managed as a single entity, with:
A paved area public right-of-way or easement running parallel to the street for the purposes of pedestrian travel and to facilitate pedestrian access to nearby streets, buildings, and land.
In the Transit-Oriented/Activity Center base and PD zones, the portion of the sidewalk primarily intended for the unobstructed movement of pedestrians, located between the sidewalk planting zone and the building façade.
Any letter, word, numeral, figure, design, projected image, picture, illustration, emblem, symbol, trademark, banner, pennant, or other device, whether illuminated or non-illuminated, which is used to announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise, or otherwise make anything known, including but not limited to realty, products, services, places, activities, persons, institutions, performances, commodities, and business and organizations. Signs do not include the flag or emblem of any nation; county, state, city, religious, fraternal, or civic organization decorations; or works of art which in no way identify a product or business.
The entire area of a sign. See Section 27-2202(h), Sign Measurement.
Illumination of part or all of a sign drawing attention to a sign through an internal or external light source or neon illumination that exhibits changing intensities or colors. Animated illumination includes a sign on which the only copy that changes is the electronic indication of time, temperature, stock market, or similar information. Animated illumination does not include automatic changes in display for digital displays.
Illumination drawing attention to a sign through an internal or external light source or neon illumination that does not change intensities or colors. Static illumination does not include digital displays.
A sign identifying the street number and/or name of the occupant of the property on which the sign is located.
A sign attached parallel to, painted on the wall surface of, or erected on the outside wall, mansard roof structure, other roof structure, or parapet of any building or structure, which is supported by a wall, building, or structure, and which displays only one sign surface.
A sign which is a part of or attached to a canopy (see "canopy").
A sign that is designed to accommodate the frequent changing of message copy (e.g., letters, numerals, graphics), whether through manual means (e.g., changing of attachable characters or graphics), mechanical means (e.g., rotation of sign face or sign panels), or electronic means (e.g., automatic switching of sign face or sign panels or of the message itself). Changeable copy signs include bulletin or reader boards, time and temperature signs, and electronic message signs.
A sign which identifies the architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals or firms directly involved with construction of development, the name of the building or development, the intended purpose of the building or development, and/or the expected completion date.
A sign that provides directional information, such as mileage, route number, or exit number, useful to the driver or traveler in locating the attraction or activity. A directional sign may not contain descriptive words or phrases or pictorial or photographic representations of the activity or its environs.
A one-sided sign displayed outside a business by placement on a three- or four-legged easel-type supporting structure.
A sign that changes its message copy by means of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs, or other illumination devices within the display area.
A sign which is permanently affixed in or upon the ground and not attached to any building structure.
A freestanding sign located at the entrance to the site of a residential subdivision, business or professional offices, or a shopping center, that identifies the subdivision, offices, or shopping center.
A sign that is illuminated by electric or other device mainly for clear visibility at night
A freestanding sign constructed with a monument base with the monument base flush to the ground.
A sign that complied with the requirements of this Ordinance when it was erected, but does not currently comply with the standards of this Ordinance.
A sign (including painted bulletin, poster panel, and digital billboard) which directs attention to a business, profession, commodity, service, the sale or rental of real estate, entertainment, event, or other activity conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the property on which the sign is located. A painted bulletin is an outdoor advertising sign having an area greater than 300 square feet. A poster panel is an outdoor advertising sign which generally has panels of poster paper attached to it, and an area not greater than 300 square feet. A digital billboard is an outdoor advertising sign utilizing a digital display.
A sign attracting attention to political candidates or political topics.
Any sign that rests upon the ground, a structure, frame, building, or other surface, that can be moved around; such signs include but are not limited to the following: trailer signs, sandwich board signs, and sidewalk or curb signs.
A sign attached to and projecting out from a building face or wall, generally at a right angle to the building.
Any on-premise sign pertaining to the sale, rental, development, or lease of a lot or parcel of land, one or more structures, or a portion thereof, to which the sign is located.
A sign directing people to a lot or parcel of land, one or more structures, or a portion thereof, available for sale, rental, development, or lease.
A movable ground sign, not secured or attached to the surface or ground upon which it is located, that is constructed in such a manner as to form an "A" or tent-like shape.
A sign that can be used only for a designated period of time.
A sign indicating Federal, State, County, or Municipal regulations for automobile, truck, bicycle, and pedestrian movement.
A sign that is attached to, or painted on, a window so that it can be read from outdoors.
The external elements between and around structures that give shape to patterns of activity, circulation, and form. Site design includes landforms, driveways, parking areas, roads, sidewalks, trails, paths, plantings, walls or fences, water features, recreation areas and facilities, lighting, public art, or other external elements but not including signs.
An indoor or outdoor facility, the use of which is primarily devoted to ice skating or roller skating. The facility may also be used as a site for competitive events and as a practice and training facility. Accessory uses may include meeting rooms, training rooms, videotape rooms, a restaurant, a pro shop, a snack bar, and outdoor training fields.
An establishment where animals are killed and prepared for food.
An establishment primarily engaged in the maintenance and repair of small engines—i.e., low-power internal combustion engines (gasoline/petrol) or electric engines. Equipment repaired includes, but is not limited to, chainsaws, string trimmers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, lawn mowers, wood chippers, and go-karts.
A facility that meets the definition of Small Wireless Facility in Subtitle 5A, Division 2 and complies with the Design Manual for Small Wireless Facilities.
A facility consisting of solar panels, modules, and related equipment (e.g., heat exchanger, pipes, inverter, wiring, storage) that collects solar radiation and transfers it as heat to a carrier fluid for use in water heating or space heating and cooling, and/or that collects solar energy and converts it into electricity. Large-scale solar energy systems generate in excess of 100 kilowatts of energy. As a principal use, a solar energy collection system is designed to meet demands for a large area and is typically mounted on the ground.
A facility consisting of solar panels, modules, and related equipment (e.g., heat exchanger, pipes, inverter, wiring, storage) that collects solar radiation and transfers it as heat to a carrier fluid for use in water heating or space heating and cooling, and/or that collects solar energy and converts it into electricity. Small-scale solar energy systems generate a maximum of 100 kilowatts of energy. As an accessory use, a solar energy collection system is designed to primarily meet on-site demands (but may include transfer of excess electricity to an electric utility grid) and components are typically mounted on the roof(s) of principal or accessory structures, but may be mounted on other parts of structures, or on the ground.
A facility at which solid waste is sorted, reduced, compressed, shredded, or compacted for purposes of volume reduction or preparation for burning or land-filling.
A place or facility where solid wastes are taken from a transportation unit or collection vehicle and placed in another transportation unit or collection vehicle for transport to a solid waste acceptance facility. The movement or consolidation of solid waste at the point of generation is not a solid waste transfer station
An above- or below-ground structure (together with all associated appurtenances) that is filled with water and used for immersion and soaking of the human body for relaxation or recreation.
A building or land where horses or ponies are, sheltered, fed, or kept for personal use, accessory to a single-family detached dwelling.
A portion of the vehicular use area on a site that is dedicated to the temporary storage or "standing" of vehicles engaged in drive-through use of the site or development. Parking or storage of vehicles is not permitted within the stacking/standing area.
An outpatient medical clinic licensed by the State of Maryland as a detoxification facility or a substance abuse treatment program under Title 8, Subtitle 4 of the Health-General Article. The term does not include a medical clinic located on property owned or leased by the County or the State, or an Early Intervention Level 0.5 Program as described in COMAR 10.47.02.03.
A facility primarily engaged in the storage of manufactured products, supplies, and equipment, excluding bulk storage of materials that are flammable or explosive or that present hazards or conditions commonly recognized as offensive.
A street is any of the following:
A line separating the street from abutting property. For the purpose of this definition a street is whichever of the following two groups of vehicular ways indicates the greatest right-of-way width:
Anything constructed or built.
The vertical distance between a point on the ground at the middle of the base of the "structure" to the top of the "structure."
See Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations.
The extraction of natural materials or deposits from the earth (such as sand, gravel, clay, rock, stone, earth, or topsoil).
A man-made enclosure at least three feet deep at the deep end that is filled with water and used for wading or swimming, and that is operated for profit.
A man-made enclosure at least three feet deep at the deep end that is filled with water and used for wading or swimming, and that is accessory to a commercial use.
A man-made enclosure at least three feet deep at the deep end that is filled with water and used for wading or swimming, and that is:
An establishment primarily engaged in the sale, servicing, and/or repair of swimming pools.
A facility for storage of tanks which in total contain more than one million gallons of petrochemical or other hazardous material products.
A facility specializing in cosmetic tanning using ultraviolet lights or chemical spraying.
An establishment wherein designs, letters, figures, body piercing, or other marks are placed upon the skin of any person, using ink or other substances that result in the permanent coloration or piercing of the skin by means of use of needles or other instruments designed to contact or puncture the skin.
A service that offers transportation in passenger automobiles, vans, shuttles, or pedicabs to persons, including persons with disabilities, in return for remuneration. The business may include facilities for servicing, repairing, and fueling the taxicabs or limousines.
An establishment engaged in the art of preparing and preserving the skins of animals and stuffing and mounting them in lifelike form.
An establishment primarily engaged in answering telephone calls and relaying messages to clients or in initiating or receiving communications for telemarketing purposes, such as promoting clients’ products or services, taking orders for clients, or soliciting contributions or providing information for clients.
A manufactured structure not permanently attached to the ground, used on a temporary basis in conjunction with a permanent school structure to provide educational classroom facilities for schools.
A transportable unit designed and used primarily for temporary storage of building materials, household goods, personal items, and other materials for use on a limited basis.
A dwelling, dwelling unit, or other marketable unit of a new development that is used for real estate sales or leasing activities associated with the development pending construction of the development and the initial sales of dwellings or units in the development.
A facility or site used for the temporary collection and storage of recyclable materials.
A retail sales and service establishment’s temporary use of a tent or trailer for promotional displays or sales, seasonal activities, income tax consultant's offices, carload sales of products, sidewalk sales, and demonstration of products in a parking lot.
A retail store where the primary use is the retail sale of tobacco products, tobacco smoking accessories, any device or paraphernalia that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substances, including cannabis, to the person inhaling from the device, or any cartridge, component, or accessory of the device, and which may include on site consumption in accordance with Section 19-131 of the County Code and the incidental sale of food or beverage provided the gross floor area of the food or beverage area does not exceed 49 percent of the gross floor area. Any "convenience store" or "gas station" which provides more than thirty-two (32) square feet or five percent (5%) of the gross floor area of the use for tobacco products or cannabis-use products shall also be considered a tobacco shop, electronic cigarette shop, or retail tobacco business.
A use accessory to a dwelling or building containing not move than nine (9) guest rooms where (for compensation) lodging or meals are provided for transient guests. For purposes of this Subtitle, a tourist home is not a home occupation, bed-and-breakfast inn, hotel, private dormitory, or fraternity or sorority house.
A wireless communication or radio guyed tower (vertical towers anchored by guy wires), lattice tower (vertical self-supporting towers, not guyed, with three or more sides consisting of open-frame supports), single pole or rod or whose sole or primary purpose is to support and elevate above the ground wireless telecommunications antennas and associated equipment and network components attached or mounted on the tower, and including any ground-based accessory structures used to house associated equipment.
The temporary placement and use of a manufactured home dwelling or recreational vehicle to house a person employed by or otherwise associated with a principal use of the same lot for which the County levies an amusement tax.
Any structure or transit facility that is primarily used as part of a transit system for the purpose of loading, unloading, or transferring of passengers or accommodating the movement of passengers from one mode of transportation to another.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, an imaginary surface that connects the primary surfaces, the clear zone surfaces, and the approach/departure clearance surfaces to the inner horizontal surface, conical surface, or other transitional surfaces. The slope of the transitional surface is 7 to 1 outward and upward at right angles to the runway centerline, illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(B): Height, as "G."
The application of strategies and policies to reduce travel demand of single-occupancy private vehicles, or to redistribute this demand in space or in time.
An establishment primarily engaged in providing travel arrangement and reservation services to the general public and commercial clients.
The land area under the dripline of an existing tree or group of trees or the amount of credit provided for planting trees of a certain species and certain size at time of planting in conformance with the worksheet provided in The Woodland and Wildlife Conservation Technical Manual.
The combined area measured in square feet of the tree canopies of existing trees and trees planted in conformance with Subtitle 25, Division 3 and The Woodland and Wildlife Conservation Technical Manual. Tree canopy coverage requirements are measured using a percentage of the gross tract area.
A site map that delineates woodland conservation areas and associated text that details the requirements, penalties, and/or mitigation in conformance with Subtitle 25, Division 2, and the Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Technical Manual.
“Urban agriculture” is the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants, as well as the limited keeping and raising of fowl or bees and similar activities in the urban environment or near residential, commercial, or industrial lands. Urban agriculture includes processing on the site of the farm where the agricultural product is grown or raised in the course of preparing the product for on-site sale, which may cause a change in the natural form or state of the product. This use also includes composting, agricultural education, and incidental sales. Urban agriculture production can occur indoors or outdoors, which may include, but is not limited to the following production methods: in-ground farming, raised-bed farming, hydroponics, controlled environment agriculture, rooftop farming, aquaponics, or edible landscaping. Common accessory structures may include, but are not limited to tool sheds, high tunnerls, fencing, composting structures, and water cisterns. The term “urban agriculture” shall not include the keeping of roosters, commercial feeding of garbage or offal to animals, the slaughtering of livestock for marketing, or the disposal of sludge except for the fertilization of crops, horticultural products, or floicultural products in connection with an active agricultural operation or home gardening.
The "use" of a "building," "structure," or land which:
A Use is either:
An easement which grants the right to install and maintain utilities including, but not limited to, water lines, sewer lines, storm sewer lines, electrical power lines, telephone lines, natural gas lines, and community antenna television systems.
See Section 27-3613, Variance.
The display for rental purposes of motor vehicles (except dump trucks), trailers, boats, camping trailers, or other vehicles.
Storage of parking tow-aways, impound yards, and storage lots for automobiles, trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles. "vehicle storage" includes only the storage of operable vehicles.
Uses where the primary function is to apply paint to the exterior or interior surfaces of vehicles by spraying, dipping, flow-coating, or other similar means.
A facility where the primary “use” is the retail sale of vehicle parts, products, tires, or accessories.
A facility where the business of general vehicle repair and service is conducted, not including vehicle salvaging or the storage of dismantled vehicles, wrecks, or junk.
Uses that provide for the sale or rental of large trucks, mass transit vehicles, large construction or agricultural equipment, or other similar vehicles. Includes vehicle and trailer rental display as accessory to vehicle rental operations.
Uses that provide for the storage and display for sale of any vehicle, which may also include the rental of vehicles. This use does not include commercial vehicles. Vehicle and trailer rental display is permitted as accessory to vehicle rental operations.
A facility for the reclamation or storage of wrecked or abandoned vehicles or parts from vehicles, "trailers," or "mobile homes," which may include the sale of the parts.
An establishment operated for the purpose of towing vehicles from one location to another and which may include temporary storage on-site of wrecked or inoperable motor vehicles. If an establishment regularly stores inoperable vehicles for more than 90 days, stacks vehicles, or portions of the vehicles are dismantled or removed for sale, it is considered a junkyard or vehicle salvage yard.
A facility used for the care, diagnosis, and treatment of sick, ailing, infirm, or injured animals and preventive care for healthy animals. Accessory uses may include animal grooming services, short-term boarding that is incidental to medical care or treatment, and limited retail sales of pet-related merchandise.
As set forth in Sections 9-1A-01(aa), 9-1A-01(w-2), and 9-1A-04(a)(11), State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, a facility at which players play video lottery terminals and/or table games. A "video lottery facility" shall only be permitted in accordance with an approved site plan in accordance with Section 27-5102(e)(7)(D), Recreational or Entertainment Establishment of a Commercial Nature with a Video Lottery Facility.
As set forth in Sections 9-1A-01(bb) and 9-1A-04(a)(11), State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, a license awarded by the Video Lottery Facility Location Commission and issued by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to a person that allows players to operate video lottery terminals and/or table games.
As set forth in Section 9-1A-01(cc), State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, a person licensed to operate a video lottery facility.
As set forth in Section 9-1A-01(dd), State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, video lottery terminal means:
A private school offering vocational or trade instruction—such as teaching of trade or industrial skills, clerical or data processing, barbering or hair dressing, computer or electronic technology, or artistic skills—to students and that operates in buildings or structures or on premises on land leased or owned by the educational institution for administrative purposes and meets the State requirements for a vocational training facility. Such uses include classrooms, laboratories, auditoriums, libraries, cafeterias, and other facilities that further the educational mission of the institution.
An establishment that combines office and showroom uses with warehouse uses for the primary purpose of wholesale trade, display, and distribution of products.
A research facility located at or near the shoreline in order to function.
A contiguous land assemblage fronting on the Potomac River and developed with an array of commercial, lodging, residential, recreational, entertainment, social, cultural, or similar uses which are interrelated by one or more themes.
The sale and dispensing of fuel directly to boats from a waterfront lot.
A temporary structure used for the sale of agricultural or other products produced on the premises or produce or cut flowers not grown on the premises.
A facility consisting of one or more rotating wind turbines and related equipment that converts the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy. A large-scale wind energy conversion system has a rated capacity exceeding 100 kilowatts (kW).
A facility consisting of one or more rotating wind turbines and related equipment that converts the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy. A small-scale wind energy conversion system has a rated capacity of not more than 100 kilowatts (kW) and is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power for a home or business.
Open space located on the same lot with a structure (not including ground-level paved surfaces unless specifically noted), or use, between the structure or use (such as outdoor storage) and the nearest lot line or street line. All required yards shall be unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except for landscaping, and accessory structures and uses as permitted elsewhere in this Ordinance. An alley shall not be considered a part of a yard.
Yard extending across the width of a lot, between the front street line and the nearest part of a main building (or its enclosed or covered projection). In a through lot, all yards abutting streets are front yards.
Yard extending across the width of a lot, between the rear lot line and the nearest part of a principal building (or its enclosed or covered projection). A through lot has no rear yard.
Yard between the side lot line or side street line and the nearest part of a principal building (or its enclosed or covered projection), extending from the front yard to the rear yard or, in the absence of either of these yards, to the front street line and rear lot line. In the absence of a front street line, all yards are side yards. On a through lot, any yard that does not abut a street is a side yard.
Any Zoning Ordinance matter designated to be heard before the Zoning Hearing Examiner by this Subtitle.
A mechanism intended to provide landowners with written documentation of compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance. See Section 27-3609, Zoning Certification
See Section 27-3304, Zoning Hearing Examiner (ZHE).
The “Zoning Map of the Maryland-Washington Regional District in Prince George’s County, Maryland,” dated November 29, 1949, as subsequently amended, from time to time.
A piecemeal rezoning of one or more properties upon the request of the property owner or other applicant. See Section 27-3601, Zoning Map Amendment (ZMA)
2 INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
This Section is intended to provide a systematic framework for identifying, descripting, categorizing, consolidating, and distinguishing land uses in a way that makes it easier to determine whether a particular use, activity, or combination of activities should be considered a form or example of a use listed as an allowable principal use in the use tables in Section 27-5101, Principal Use Tables. This Section is also intended to provide descriptions of the Principal Use Categories in which specific principal use types are classified by this Ordinance.
The following three-tiered hierarchy of use classifications, use categories, and use types is provided to organize uses listed in Section 27-5101, Principal Use Tables.
Principal Use Classifications are very broad and general (e.g., Rural and Agricultural Uses; Residential Uses; Public, Civic, and Institutional Uses; Commercial Uses, and Industrial Uses).
Principal Use Types identify specific principal land uses whose characteristics are considered to fall within the various use categories. For example, bars, lounges, small-scale alcohol production facilities, and restaurants are use types within the Eating or Drinking Establishment Use Category. Each use type is defined in Section 27-2500, Definitions. While the Residential and Public, Civic, and Institutional principal use classifications tend to include relatively specific and well–defined principal use types, the Commercial and Industrial use classifications tend to include broader use types, reflecting the wider range and ever-growing variety of commercial and industrial uses in the County.
The Agriculture/Forestry Uses category includes use types related to: the production of field crops, fruits, vegetables, ornamental and flowering plants, and the breeding, raising, or keeping of livestock, poultry, swine, bees, fish, shellfish, or other animals for food or other marketable products. The Agriculture/Forestry Uses category also includes forestry or silvicultural activities related to the planting, management, protection, and harvesting of trees for timber or other forest products. Use types include but are not limited to: agriculture and forestry; the keeping of horses or ponies; other agricultural uses; community gardens; and similar uses. This use category does not include the processing of animal or plant products for wholesale purposes off the site of where the agricultural product is grown or raised, which is generally considered a manufacturing use type.
The Agriculture/Forestry-Related Uses category includes use types that provide support and services to agricultural and forestry uses, or are otherwise closely related to agricultural or forestry production in their form and function. Use types include but are not limited to: equestrian centers; riding stables; farm machinery and implement sales and rental (or repair); farm supply sales; farm markets; farm-based alcohol production; food hubs; agricultural research facilities; rural corporate retreats; sawmills; and similar uses.
The Open Space Uses category includes use types focusing on open space areas largely devoted to natural landscaping and outdoor recreation, and tending to have few structures. Use types include but are not limited to: parks (including recreational and natural area parks); greenways; arboretums and botanical gardens; and similar uses. This use category does not include athletic fields, golf courses, golf driving ranges, or other primarily outdoor recreational uses (categorized in the Recreation/Entertainment Uses category).
The Household Living Uses category includes use types that provide for the residential occupancy of a dwelling unit by a single family. Tenancy is generally arranged on a month-to-month or longer basis. Use types include but are not limited to: single-family detached dwellings; two-family dwellings; three-family dwellings; multifamily dwellings; townhouse dwellings, live-work dwellings; artist residential studios; and mobile homes. This use category does not include residential use types that generally involve some level of managed personal care for a larger number of residents (e.g., assisted living facilities or boarding houses), which are categorized in the Group Living Uses category.
The Group Living Uses category includes use types providing for the residential occupancy of a group of living units by persons who typically do not constitute a single family (but not always) and may receive some level of personal care. Individual living units often consist of a single room or group of rooms without cooking and eating facilities (even though some do have such facilities), but unlike a hotel or motel, are generally occupied on a monthly or longer basis. Use types may include but are not limited to: assisted living facilities; group residential facilities; boarding or rooming houses; convents or monasteries; fraternity or sorority houses; and similar uses. Although continuing care retirement communities include household living uses (e.g., dwellings) and health care uses (e.g., nursing homes), they are categorized as a group living use because of their focus on the present or future provision of personal care to senior citizens and their integration of various uses as a single cohesive development. This use category does not include use types where persons generally occupy living units for periods of less than 30 days (e.g., hotel or motels), which are categorized in the Visitor Accommodation Uses category. It also does not include use types where residents or inpatients are routinely provided more than modest health care services (e.g., nursing homes), which are categorized in the Health Care Uses category, or commercial recreation facilities, which are categorized in the Recreation/Entertainment Uses category.
The Communication Uses category includes uses and facilities providing regional or community-wide communications services, such as wireless communications, radio and television broadcasting, and newspaper or magazine publishing. Services may be publicly or privately provided and may include on-site personnel. Use types include but are not limited to: towers and antennas for wireless communications; broadcasting studios; newspaper or magazine publishing facilities; and similar uses.
The Community Service Uses category includes use types of a public, nonprofit, or charitable nature providing a local service (e.g., child care, cultural, recreational, counseling, training, religious) directly to people of the community. Generally, such uses provide ongoing continued service on-site or have employees at the site on a regular basis. The category generally does not include uses with a residential component. Use types include but are not limited to: adult day care facilities; child care centers; community centers/facilities; noncommercial or public cultural facilities (e.g., libraries or museums); nonprofit free-lending library; eleemosynary or philanthropic institutions; emergency services facilities; places of worship; or similar uses. This use category does not include private or commercial health clubs or recreational facilities (categorized in the Recreation/Entertainment Uses category), counseling in an office setting (categorized in the Office Uses category), or passenger terminals for public transportation services (categorized in the Transportation Use category).
The Education Uses category includes use types such as private schools (including charter schools and academies) at the elementary, middle, or high school level that provide State-mandated basic education or a comparable equivalent. This use category also includes colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning such as vocational or trade schools that offer courses of general or specialized study leading to a degree or certification, driving schools, and water-dependent research facilities (operated by government or an educational institution).
The Health Care Uses category includes use types providing a variety of health care services, including surgical or other intensive care and treatment, various types of medical treatment, nursing care, preventative care, diagnostic and laboratory services, and physical therapy. Care may be provided on an inpatient, overnight, or outpatient basis. Use types include but are not limited to: hospitals; nursing or care home facilities; medical/dental offices and labs; State-licensed medical clinics; and similar uses. This use category does not include assisted living facilities, which focus on providing personal care rather than medical care to residents and are categorized in the Group Living Uses category.
The Transportation Uses category includes use types providing for the landing and takeoff of airplanes and helicopters, including loading and unloading areas, associated aircraft sales, repair, fuel sales, and flight instruction uses. It also includes passenger terminals for public transportation services. Use types include but are not limited to: airports and airstrips; passenger stations/terminal for ground transportation services (e.g., buses, light rail, trains); park and ride facilities; parking facilities (as a principal use); transit stations or terminals; and similar uses. This use category does not include transit–related infrastructure such as bus stops and bus shelters (deemed minor utilities under the Utility Uses category).
The Utility Uses category includes both major utilities, which are infrastructure services that provide regional or community-wide service, and minor utilities, which are infrastructure services that need to be located in or near where the service is provided. Large-scale solar energy collection systems and large-scale wind energy conversion systems that constitute a principal use of a lot are included as a special type of major utility use. Services may be publicly or privately provided and may include on-site personnel.
The Adult Uses category includes use types that sell, distribute, or present material or feature performances or other activities emphasizing the depiction or display of specified sexual activities. Use types include adult book or video stores (distinguished by being largely devoted to selling, renting, or presenting media emphasizing sexually explicit content) and adult entertainment.
The Animal Care Uses category is characterized by use types related to the provision of medical services, general care, and boarding services for household pets and domestic animals. Use types include but are not limited to: animal shelters; kennels (that provide boarding); pet grooming establishments; veterinary hospitals or clinics; and similar uses.
The Business Support Service Uses category includes use types primarily providing routine business support functions for the day-to-day operations of other businesses and households. Use types include but are not limited to: business service centers; conference or training centers; data processing facilities; day labor services; employment agencies; parcel services; qualified data centers; telephone call centers; travel agencies; and similar uses.
The Eating or Drinking Establishment Uses category consists of establishments primarily engaged in the preparation and serving of food or beverages for on- or off-premises consumption. Use types include but are not limited to: small-scale alcohol production facilities; restaurants; quick-service restaurants; catering establishments; establishments primarily engaged in selling food or beverages for on-site consumption that also provide live entertainment on a limited basis; and similar uses.
The Funeral and Mortuary Services Uses category consists of establishments that provide services related to the death of a human being. Use types include but are not limited to: cemeteries or crematories; funeral homes; mortuaries; and similar uses.
The Office Uses category includes buildings that house activities conducted in an office setting, usually with limited contact with the general public, and generally focusing on the provision of business services, professional services (e.g., lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects), or financial services (e.g., lenders, brokerage houses, tax preparers). Use types include but are not limited to: general business and professional offices; counseling in an office setting; office parks; contractor’s offices; and similar uses. This use category does not include offices that are a component of or accessory to a principal use in another use category, such as administrative government services (categorized in the Community Service Uses category), medical/dental offices (categorized in the Health Care Uses category), or banks or other financial institutions (categorized in the Retail Sales and Service Uses category).
The Personal Services Uses category consists of establishments primarily engaged in the provision of frequent or recurrent needed services of a personal nature. Use types include but are not limited to: art, photography, music, dance, or martial arts studios or schools; fortune telling establishments; model studios; personal grooming or well-being services; personal laundry or dry cleaning services; massage establishments; personal or household goods repair establishments; personal travel or information services; and similar uses.
The Recreational/Entertainment Uses category includes use types providing indoor or outdoor facilities for recreation or entertainment-oriented activities by patrons or members. Use types include but are not limited to: amusement parks; arenas, stadiums, or amphitheaters; cinemas or movie theatres; country clubs; golf courses; golf driving ranges; nightclubs; performance arts centers; racetracks; recreation facilities, indoor (amusement arcades, amusement centers, aquatic centers or natatoriums, archery or baseball batting ranges, health clubs, miniature golf courses, recreation courts, skating facilities, swimming pools, and similar uses); recreation facilities, outdoor (archery or baseball batting ranges, athletic fields, miniature golf courses, swimming pools, and similar uses); shooting ranges; commercial recreation facilities; private clubs or lodges, or community-oriented associations; and waterfront entertainment/retail complexes. It does not include recreational facilities that are accessory to parks (categorized in the Open Space Uses category), or that are reserved for use by a particular residential development’s residents and their guests (e.g., community swimming pools and other recreation facilities).
The Retail Sales and Service Uses category includes use types involved in the sale, rental, and incidental servicing of goods and commodities that are generally delivered or provided on the premises to a consumer. Use types include but are not limited to: banks or financial institutions; check cashing businesses; consumer goods establishments; farmers’ markets; food and market halls; grocery stores and food markets; lawn care or pest control services; manufactured or modular home sales; pawnshops; swimming pool sales and service establishments; and tattoo or body piercing establishments. This use category does not include sales or service establishments related to vehicles (categorized in the Vehicle Services and Sales Uses category), establishments primarily selling supplies to contractors or retailers (categorized in the Wholesale Uses category), the provision of financial, professional, or business services in an office setting (categorized in the Office Uses category), uses providing recreational or entertainment opportunities (categorized in the Recreation/Entertainment Uses category or Open Space Uses category), uses that provide personal services (categorized in the Personal Services Uses category), or uses involving the sales, distribution, or presentation of materials or activities featuring specific sexual activities or nudity (categorized in the Adult Uses category).
The Vehicle Sales and Service Uses category includes use types involving the direct sales and servicing of motor vehicles (including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles, as well as trailers—whether for personal transport, commerce, or recreation). Use types include but are not limited to: commercial vehicle repair and maintenance; commercial vehicle sales and rentals; commercial fuel depots; gas stations; personal vehicle repair and maintenance; personal vehicle sales and rentals; taxi or limousine service facilities; vehicle equipment and supplies sales and rentals; vehicle paint and finishing shops; and vehicle and trailer storage yards and similar uses.
The Visitor Accommodation Uses category includes use types providing lodging units or rooms for short-term stays of typically less than 30 days for rent, lease, or interval occupancy. Use types include but are not limited to: bed and breakfast establishments as accessory to single-family dwellings, recreational campgrounds; country inns; hotels or motels; and similar uses. This use category does not include boarding or rooming houses, which are generally occupied for tenancies of a month or longer, and thus categorized in the Group Living Uses category.
The Water-Related Uses category includes use types involving the direct sales and servicing of boats and other consumer watercraft, whether for recreation, commerce, or personal transport. Use types include but are not limited to: boat sales, rental, service, or repair; boat storage yards; marinas; waterfront boat fuel sales; and similar uses.
The Extraction Uses category is characterized by activities related to the extraction of naturally occurring materials. Use types include but are not limited to: sand and gravel wet processing and surface mining. This use category does not include facilities for the drop-off or collection, or temporary holding, of household or business recyclables.
The Industrial Service Uses category includes use types involving the repair or servicing of industrial, business, or consumer machinery equipment, products, or by-products. Firms that service consumer goods do so by mainly providing a centralized source of services for separate retail outlets. Contractors and building maintenance services and similar uses perform services off-site. Few customers visit the site. The category also includes use types involving the storage or movement of goods. Use types include but are not limited to: dry cleaning, laundry, or carpet cleaning plants; fuel oil or bottled gas distribution establishments; general industrial services; heavy equipment sales, rental, servicing, or storage; landscaping contractor’s businesses; machine shops; metal-working, welding, plumbing, or gas, steam, or water pipe fitting; photographic processing plants; printing or similar reproduction facilities; research and development facilities; small engine repair shops; septic tank services; slaughterhouses; contractor’s yards; tank farms; and similar uses. The category also includes industrial parks.
The Manufacturing Uses category includes use types involved in the manufacturing, processing, fabrication, packaging, or assembly of goods. Products may be finished or semi-finished and are generally made for the wholesale market, made for transfer to other plants, or made to order for firms or consumers. This use category includes light and heavy manufacturing use types, based on the general extent of off-site impacts and extent of outdoor storage. The processing of animal or plant products for wholesale or retail sale purposes off the site of where the agricultural product is grown or raised is also considered a manufacturing use. Goods are generally not displayed or sold on-site, but if so, such sales are a subordinate part of total sales. Relatively few customers come to the site. Use types include but are not limited to: alcohol production facilities (large-scale); concrete batching or asphalt mixing plants; concrete or brick products manufacturing; fisheries activities; food processing or beverage bottling; manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication, heavy; and manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication, light.
The Warehouse and Freight Movement Uses category includes use types involving the storage or movement of goods for themselves or other firms or businesses. Goods are generally delivered to other firms or the ultimate consumer, except for some will-call pickups. There is little on-site sales activity with the customer present. Use types include but are not limited to: cold storage plants (including frozen food lockers); consolidated storage (e.g., mini-storage facilities); distribution warehouses (used primarily for temporary storage pending distribution in response to customer orders); motor freight facilities; outdoor storage (as a principal use); storage warehouses (used for storage by retail stores such as furniture and appliance stores); truck or freight terminals; or similar uses. This use category does not include contractor’s yards (categorized in the Industrial Services Use category), solid waste transfer stations, or storage of solid or liquid wastes (categorized in the Resource Recovery and Waste Management Uses category).
The Resource Recovery and Waste Management Uses category includes use types receiving solid or liquid wastes from others for on-site disposal, storage, processing, or transfer to another location for processing or disposal, or uses that manufacture or produce goods or energy from the composting of organic material or reuse, recycling, or processing of scrap or waste material. This use category also includes use types that receive hazardous wastes from others. Use types include but are not limited to: composting facilities; recycling plants; Class 3 fills; landfills, sanitary; landfills, rubble; recycling collection centers; and similar uses. This use category does not include wastewater treatment plants and potable water treatment plants (categorized as a major utility facility in the Utility Uses category).
The Wholesale Uses category includes use types involved in the sale, lease, or rent of products primarily intended for industrial, institutional, or commercial businesses. The uses emphasize on-site sales or order-taking and often include display areas. Businesses may or may not be open to the general public, but sales to the general public are limited. Products may be picked up on-site or delivered to the customer. Use types include but are not limited to: wholesale plant nurseries and showrooms; wholesale sale or rental of machinery equipment, special trade tools, welding supplies, machine parts, electrical supplies, janitorial supplies, restaurant equipment, and store fixtures; mail-order houses; establishments primarily selling supplies to contractors or retailers; wholesalers of food, clothing, plants and landscaping materials, auto parts, and building hardware; and similar uses. This use category does not include uses primarily involving sales to the general public or on a membership basis (uses categorized in the Retail Sales and Service Uses category), or uses primarily involving storage of goods with little on-site business activity (uses categorized in the Warehouse and Freight Movement Uses category).
Net lot area shall be determined by measuring the total horizontal land area (in acres or square feet) within the lot lines of the lot, excluding public street or alley rights-of-way and private street or alley easements, and land lying within the 100-year floodplain. For purposes of determining net density, floor area ratio, or lot coverage, any part of the net lot area dedicated as right-of-way for which no more than nominal consideration was received, recreation area, park, greenway, or other public open space in conjunction with a development approval in accordance with this Ordinance shall continue to be considered part of the net lot area of the development site.
| Figure 27-2201: Lot Depth Measurement Examples |
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The horizontal distance from the midpoint of the front lot line to the midpoint of the rear lot line of a lot. In the case of flag lots the width of the “pole” or portion of the lot only used for access to the remainder of the lot shall be ignored in determining the midpoint of both the front and rear lot lines. (see Figure 27-2201: Lot Depth Measurement Examples).
Lot width shall be determined by measuring the distance along a line delineating the minimum front setback applicable to the lot, between its intersections with the side lot lines, or for corner lots, between a corner side lot line and the opposite side lot line. (See Figure 27-2201(a): Lot Dimensions.)
Lot frontage (width) at the front street line shall be determined by measuring the distance of the front lot line. When frontage is curvilinear, it shall be measured along the curve. (See Figure 27-2201(a): Lot Dimensions.)
| Figure 27-2201(a): Lot Dimensions |
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Net density (expressed as dwelling units per acre) shall be determined by dividing the total number of dwelling units located or proposed on a lot by the net lot area (see Section 27-2201(a), above). If net lot area is measured in square feet, the result of this division shall be multiplied by 43,560. Net density standards apply only to residential development comprised of dwelling units. In the RCO sub-zone of the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Overlay (CBCAO) Zone only, the gross tract acreage is used to calculate density except as noted in Section 5B-115(f) of the County Code.
Floor area ratio (FAR) shall be determined by dividing the gross floor area (in square feet) devoted to nonresidential uses on all floors of all buildings located or proposed on a lot by the net lot area (in square feet) (see Section 27-2201(a), above). FAR standards apply only to nonresidential development.
Lot coverage (expressed as a percentage of net lot area) shall be determined by measuring the total horizontal land area of the lot (in acres or square feet) covered by all buildings, covered structures, and areas used for vehicular access and parking of vehicles; dividing that coverage area by the net lot area (see Section 27-2201(a), above); and multiplying the result by 100.
When used in this Ordinance, major fraction thereof means a fraction one-half (0.50) or greater is rounded up to the next whole number, and a fraction that is less than one-half (0.50) is rounded down to the next whole number.
| Figure 27-2201(f): General Height Measurement |
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The depth of the front, corner side, side, and rear yard on a lot shall be determined by measuring the horizontal distance along a straight line extending at a right angle from the lot’s front, corner side, side, or rear lot line (as appropriate) to the foundation of the nearest structure on the lot. (see Figure 27-2201(a): Lot Dimensions.) The area defined by a minimum yard depth and the lot line from which it measured is a required front, corner side, side, or rear yard (as appropriate).
A through lot shall have a front yard along each of its parallel or nearly parallel street-fronting lot lines. (see Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(B): Through Lot).
On a flag lot, the front yard depth shall be measured within the "flag" portion of the lot, from the lot line delineating the base of that portion. (see Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(C): Flag Lot Front Setback or Yard Depth).
| Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(B): Through Lot | Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(C): Flag Lot Front Setback or Yard Depth | |
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Where the Functional Master Plan of Transportation or the General Plan calls for the future widening of the street right-of-way abutting a lot and identify the future right-of-way boundary (e.g., by delineating the boundary or establishing its distance from the street’s centerline), the front and corner side yard depths shall be measured—and the minimum front and corner yard depths requirements applied—from the future right-of-way boundary. (see Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(D): Setback Abutting Future Right-of-Way).
| Figure 27-2201(i)(2)(D): Setback Abutting Future Right-of-Way |
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The location of accessory structures and buildings on lots shall conform to the regulations of Section 27-5202(c).
If the average net area or width of existing lots located on the same block face and in the same zone is less than the minimum net lot area or minimum lot width (as appropriate) applied to a lot by the standards in PART 27-4: Zones and Zone Regulations, the minimum net lot area or minimum lot width (as appropriate) applicable to a lot on the block face shall be reduced to such average. Calculation of the average shall exclude any net lot area or width (as appropriate) that exceeds the next largest net lot area or next widest lot width by more than 25 percent. (see Figure 27-2203(a): Reduction of Minimum Lot Area, Lot Width, and Front Setback to Block Face Average.)
If the average front setback on improved lots located on the same block face and in the same zone is less than the minimum front setback applied to a lot by the standards in PART 27-4: Zones and Zone Regulations, the minimum front setback applicable to a lot on the block face shall be reduced to such average. Calculation of the average shall exclude any front setback that exceeds the next deepest setback by more than 15 feet. (see Figure 27-2203(a): Reduction of Minimum Lot Area, Lot Width, and Front Setback or Yard Depth to Block Face Average).
| Figure 27-2203(a): Reduction of Minimum Lot Area, Lot Width, and Front Setback or Yard Depth to Block Face Average |
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Except within the MIO Zone, the maximum structure height limits established in PART 27-4: Zones and Zone Regulations, shall not apply to the following structures or structural elements:
A bay window, oriel, entrance, vestibule, or balcony may project up to three (3) feet beyond the front or rear building line, if the projection is not more than ten (10) feet long (measured along the building).
Cornices and eaves may project up to two and one-half (2 1/2) feet beyond the building line. The projection shall be at least two (2) feet from any lot line.
Sills, leaders, belt courses, and similar ornamental features may project up to six (6) inches beyond the building line.
Fire escapes and outside open stairways may project up to four and one-half (4 1/2) feet beyond the building line. The stairway shall not be enclosed.
One (1) chimney, not more than six (6) feet wide along the building, may project up to eighteen (18) inches beyond the building line.
Refer to the definition of “base flood (or 100-year flood)” in Subtitle 32: Water Resources Protection and Grading Code, of the County Code for the definition. Refer also to the requirements of Section 27-6804, Floodplain Management.
The manufacturing or repair of abrasive grinding wheels or other products created incorporating abrasive materials, or asbestos textiles, building materials, and insulating materials.
Touching and sharing a common point or line. This can include a parcel of land across a street, streams, rivers, and rail lines, if the zone boundary extends to the middle of the right-of-way of a street.
A structure subordinate and incidental to, and located on the same lot with, a principal structure and use, the use of which is customarily found in association with and is clearly incidental to the use of the principal structure or the land, and which is not attached by any part of a common wall or roof to the principal structure. (When a specific structure is identified in this Ordinance as accessory to another use or structure, the structure need not be customarily incidental to, or ordinarily found in association with, the principal use to qualify as an accessory structure).
Nearby, but not necessarily abutting or adjoining.
An area at military airports which is beyond the Clear Zone.
APZ 1 begins at the outer end of the Clear Zone of the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone and is 5,000 feet long and 3,000 feet wide. APZ 2 begins at the outer end of APZ 1 and is 7,000 feet long and 3,000 feet wide. The Accident Potential Zones for Joint Base Andrews are illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(4)(C): Accident Potential/Clear Zones North and South.
The use of a building designated as a Historic Site by the Historic Preservation Commission for a use not allowed within the existing zone in order to encourage the preservation of buildings important to Prince George’s County heritage or which have distinctive architectural and environmental characteristics.
The use of a former public school building for a use not allowed within the existing zone and not prohibited in all zones in order to encourage infill development and minimize the impact of new development.
Any commercial establishment that does not have a use and occupancy permit to operate as a cinema or nonprofit free-lending library, that either:
An establishment in which a program is operated that is designed to provide care and activities (during the daytime) for five or more adults (unrelated to the operator by blood, adoption, or marriage) who are members of a service population that, because of advanced age, or emotional, mental, physical, familial, or social conditions, need assistance in daytime activities. The term shall not include a nursing home, school, private, eleemosynary or philanthropic institution, or group residential facility, or any sheltered workshop licensed as such by the United States Department of Labor.
Any exhibition, performance, or dance of any type conducted in a premise where such exhibition, performance, or dance involves a person who:
The business, science, and art of cultivating and managing the soil, composting, growing, harvesting, and selling crops; livestock; and the products of forestry, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, hydroponics, aquaculture, aquaponics, animal husbandry (i.e., breeding, raising, or managing livestock and poultry), dairying, beekeeping; and similar activities. Agriculture includes processing on the site of the farm where the agricultural product is grown or raised in the course of preparing the product for on-site sale, which may cause a change in the natural form or state of the product. Agriculture may also include areas designed and used for converting on-site farm and garden waste into compost. The term "agriculture" shall not include the commercial feeding of garbage or offal to animals, the slaughtering of livestock for marketing (except otherwise permitted by law), or the disposal of sludge except for fertilization of crops, horticultural products, or floricultural products in connection with an active agricultural operation or home gardening.
A facility for the investigation, testing, and demonstration of agricultural products and processes, including biotechnical agriculture and veterinary, soil, plant, and animal sciences.
An agricultural enterprise that is intended to attract visitors and provide supplemental income for the owner of a working farm, and that is:
Agritourism uses include, but are not limited to: equine activities, fishing, hunting, wildlife study, holiday and seasonal attractions, corn mazes, harvest festivals, barn dances, hayrides, roadside stands, farmer's markets, u-pick or pick-your-own operations, rent-a-tree operations, farm tours, wine tasting, educational classes related to agricultural products or skills, and accessory recreational activities provided for guests. Agritourism includes activities such as, but not limited to, picnics, equine facilities, party facilities, retreats, weddings, and farm or ranch stays. Agritourism does not include a recreational campground.
A study performed and updated periodically by Air Force installations to assist local, regional, State, and Federal officials in the communities neighboring military air facilities, such as Joint Base Andrews, by promoting compatible development within areas subject to aircraft noise and accident potential; and protecting Air Force operational capability from the effects of land use that are incompatible with aircraft operations. The geography and extent of the Accident Potential Zones, the Clear Zones, the height surfaces, and the noise contours are defined in this study.
A place where aircraft may take off or land, discharge or receive cargo or passengers, be repaired or serviced, take on fuel, or be stored, including "Accessory Uses" which are commonly associated with these facilities. These terms refer to any public use, general aviation airport licensed by the Maryland Aviation Administration, but not to airports with military or air carrier traffic.
An airport having one or more of the following:
An airport having all of the following:
A production facility or establishment for the manufacture of alcoholic beverages by a state-licensed distillery, winery, rectifier, or brewery. Accessory uses may include retail sales of beverages produced on-site for takeaway of off-premise consumption as allowed by State licensing laws. This use does not include small-scale alcohol production facilities.
A production facility or establishment for the brewing of beers, meads, or similar beverages on-site, and serves those beverages on-site or for off-site consumption. These facilities may not brew more than 45,000 barrels of beverages (in total) annually, in accordance with State law for micro-brewery licensure.
A vehicular accessway that provides secondary access to the rear of a building, of which the primary access to the front façade of the building is from a public or private street.
A commercially operated indoor facility providing a variety of amusement devices including, but not limited to, play equipment, television games, electromechanical games, small kiddie rides, and other similar devices, and which may include food service.
An outdoor facility designed for entertainment purposes which may include structures or buildings, motorized or non-motorized rides, games, booths for the conduct of sporting events or games, and constructed land features such as lakes, hills, or trails. Office, retail and other commercial uses commonly established in such facilities and related parking structures may be allowed as accessory uses.
A facility used to house and care for stray, homeless, abandoned, or neglected animals that is owned, operated, or maintained by a public body or an established humane society or other private or nonprofit organization.
An apparatus designed for the purpose of emitting radiofrequency (RF) radiation, to be operated or operating from a fixed location pursuant to FCC authorization for the provision of wireless service and any commingled information services. Such apparatus include, but are not limited to, directional antennas, such as panels, microwave dishes, satellite dishes, and omnidirectional antennas, such as whips.
A facility providing for the residential occupancy of a dwelling unit and serving the needs of elderly families or physically handicapped families with tenancy generally arranged on a month-to-month or longer basis. For the purposes of this use, the term “elderly family” means a family which is included with age restrictions in conformance with the Federal Fair Housing Act and “physically handicapped family” means a family in which the head of the family, or his/her dependent, is physically disabled.
The completed form or forms and all accompanying documents, exhibits, and fees required of an applicant by this Ordinance and the District Council, Board of Appeals, or Planning Director as part of the review of a permit or development approval.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, the imaginary surfaces which are symmetrically centered on the extended runway centerline, beginning as an inclined plane (glide angle) 200 feet beyond each end of the primary surface, and extending for 50,000 feet. The slope of the approach departure clearance surface is 50:1 until it reaches an elevation of 500 feet above the established airfield elevation, illustrated on Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(B): Height, as "B". The width of this surface at the runway end is 2,000 feet, flaring uniformly to a width of 16,000 feet at the end point.
A complex with facilities for water sports, including swimming pools.
A place where trees, shrubs, or other woody plants are grown, exhibited, or labeled for scientific, educational, or passive recreational purposes, but not including the harvest of plants or their produce.
An area used to practice the skill of archery or to practice the skill of batting.
Exterior lighting that is designed to highlight structures, plantings, or significant architectural features directly or indirectly.
A comprehensive plan for the physical development of the entirety of one or more planning areas, showing in detail elements such as the type, density, and intensity of land uses; pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic features; public facilities; and the relationship between the various uses to transportation, other public facilities and services, and amenities within the master plan area, and where appropriate, to other areas. Any reference to a Sector Plan in this Ordinance shall equally apply to an Area Master Plan. The term Area Master Plan shall include any transit district development plan approved prior to the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance.
A building or structure designed or intended for use for spectator sports, entertainment events, expositions, and similar events. Such uses may include seating for spectators.
An establishment engaged in the sale, loan, or display of art books, paintings, sculpture, or other works of art.
An establishment with space used for the production of—or instruction in—art, photography, music, dance, yoga, pilates, or the martial arts.
A mixed-use community for artists comprised of one or more adjoining structures with working and living space restricted to artists, and with eight or more artist units. Artist units may be on any floor with nonresidential uses on the first floor. All structures and common areas are owned or controlled by a nonprofit corporation or association that restricts artist unit use and occupancy to artists and their families, and is responsible for maintenance of the structures and their continued use as artists' residential studios.
A facility that provides living and sleeping facilities and care to four (4) or more individuals who, because of advanced age or physical or mental disability, require intermittent assistance in performing the activities of daily living, which may include the supervision and/or administration of medication, in a protective environment. Such care includes, but is not limited to, meal preparation, laundry services, housekeeping, personal observation and direction in the activities of daily living, transportation for routine social and medical appointments, and the availability of a responsible adult for companionship or nonclinical counseling. The use does not include a nursing or care home or group residential facility.
A mechanized device operated by or on behalf of a bank or financial institution that allows customers to conduct automated banking or financial transactions. Where an ATM is provided at the site of a bank or financial institution for use by customers in motor vehicles, the ATM is considered a drive-through service accessory use.
A defined land area adjacent to an airport, where regulations in Section 27-4402(b), Aviation Policy Area Overlay (APAO) Zones, modify zoning standards and requirements.
An establishment that provides retail banking services, mortgage lending, or similar financial services to individuals and businesses. This use type does not include check cashing services or bail bond brokers. Accessory uses may include automated teller machines (ATMs) and facilities providing drive-through service.
An establishment, not open to the public, that prepares or serves food and beverages for gatherings honoring guests or special occasions.
A facility that provides haircuts, hair styling, hair coloring, nail care, facials, and other similar salon services.
An owner-occupied single-family detached residential dwelling in which rooms are rented to paying guests on an overnight basis for no longer than two weeks in any one visit. A country inn, hotel, motel, fraternity or sorority house, or boarding or rooming house shall not be considered a bed and breakfast.
The raising or producing of bees, beeswax, honey, and by-products.
A facility for the placing of soft drinks, juice, water, milk, alcoholic beverages, or other liquids into bottles or cans for shipment.
An establishment engaged in the sales and/or rental of bicycles and which may offer bicycle servicing and repair.
The component of a bike share system that consists of a bike parking rack where bicycles that are available for use as part of the bike share system are parked and made available for use by users. Bike share stations are the most visible components of a bike share system. Bike share stations should be: conveniently located in areas of relatively high volumes of pedestrian traffic and in places that are easy for bicyclists to find. The bike share station should be designed and built consistent with the guidelines outlined in Bike Share: Station Siting Guide, by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).
A public or quasi-public bicycle system, or bike-share scheme, that is a service to people who decide to participate (typically for a fee) in which bicycles are made available for shared use to individuals on a very short term basis.
The land lying within an area bounded on all sides by streets.
A specified side of a block.
The distance or length of a block.
The Board of Appeals (BOA) for Prince George’s County established by the District Council in accordance with State law. See Section 27-3303, Board of Appeals . (Abbreviated as "BOA.")
A building or portion of which is used by its occupants to provide (for compensation) lodging (and meals) to four or more, but not exceeding nine, guests. The dwelling unit shall contain not more than five guest rooms. A boarding or rooming house shall not be considered a bed-and-breakfast inn.
A business primarily engaged in the display, sale, rental, repair, or maintenance of new or used boats, marine engines, or marine equipment.
A facility designated for the on-land storage of boats, other watercraft, and marine equipment in open or enclosed roof structures or on trailers, cradles, or boat stands.
Commercial and public communications uses including radio and television broadcasting and receiving stations and studios, with facilities entirely within buildings, except for accessory uses like antenna, broadcasting dishes, and related facilities.
An area of natural or planted vegetation that is generally unoccupied by a building, structure, paving or the like, for the purposes of screening and softening the effects of development. A buffer shall not be used for recreation or parking. For the purposes of the CBCAO Zone only, “buffer” has the definition included in Subtitle 5B of the County Code.
The total area of a building measured at the building's outside walls at its ground plane.
The form of a building that includes the exterior walls, projections, recesses, roof features, and any attachments or additions.
See Subtitle 4: Building, of the County Code of Ordinances.
A “building” subordinate to, and located on the same lot with, a “main building,” and used for an accessory use.
A “building” in which is conducted the “principal use” of the “lot” on which it is located
A study prepared and signed by a professional engineer with competence in acoustical analysis, which identifies enhanced building materials that may be needed to mitigate interior noise levels.
A line beyond which no part of a “main building” (including a covered porch, vestibule, or other similar projection) or “structure” (not including ground level paved surfaces, unless specifically noted) shall extend. The “building line” determines an area within which “main buildings” and other “structures” may be placed. A “building line” and the “street line” or “lot line” is the required “yard” (Also called a “building restriction line".)
A line that runs along perpendicular the entire width of a lot, from the street right-of-way (ROW) to the front building façade on a lot, along which a building must be constructed.
The area between the minimum and maximum build-to lines, that extends the entire width of the lot.
The sale of merchandise in large quantities, such as in unbroken cases or oversized containers, directly to ultimate consumers.
A facility for the storage and distribution of gasoline, gasohol, and similar petroleum-based products typically consisting of above-ground and underground storage tanks and distribution pipelines.
A development which combines a grocery store or food market not exceeding 40,000 square feet of gross floor area; a consolidated storage facility; and which may include an eating or drinking establishment or any other use that is permitted by right in the CGO Zone. Business advancement and food access infill shall not include combination retail or gas station uses.
An establishment primarily engaged in providing a range of office support services, such as document copying services, facsimile services, word processing services, on-site personal computer rental, and office product sales.
A vehicle originally sold to the consumer for recreational, travel, or vacation purposes, which is self-propelled or capable of being towed, and which provides facilities for temporary camping or sleeping. The term "camping trailer" includes a unit designed to be carried by an open pickup truck. The term "camping trailer" also includes travel trailers, campers, recreational vehicles, motor homes, truck campers, and similar vehicles.
A use which entails acquiring, possessing, repackaging, transferring, selling, distributing, or dispensing Cannabis or Cannabis products, including tinctures, aerosols, oils, and ointments, related supplies, and educational materials for use by a qualifying patient, caregiver, or adult over the age of 21 through a storefront. Cannabis dispensary also includes a former medical cannabis dispensary that converted its license to allow for the sale of both medical and adult use cannabis pursuant to Alcoholic Beverages & Cannabis Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
A product containing a cannabis concentrate or a cannabis-infused product packaged and labeled for release to a qualifying patient, caregiver, or adult over the age of 21.
A use that entails cultivating or packaging cannabis, as well as providing cannabis to other Cannabis uses and registered independent testing laboratories. Cannabis grower also includes a former medical cannabis grower that converted its license to allow for the growing of Cannabis for medical and adult use pursuant to the Alcoholic Beverages & Cannabis Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
An entity licensed under the Alcoholic Beverages & Cannabis Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, to operate a facility within which Cannabis micro-dispensaries; Cannabis micro-growers; and/or Cannabis processors may operate.
A use that entails acquiring, possessing, repackaging, transferring, selling, distributing, or dispensing Cannabis or Cannabis products, including tinctures, aerosols, oils, and ointments, related supplies, and educational materials for use by a qualifying patient, caregiver, or adult over the age of 21 solely through a delivery service or transport. Cannabis micro-dispensary is limited to ten (10) employees and may not have a physical storefront.
A use that entails cultivating or packaging no more than 10,000 square feet of indoor cannabis canopy or 40,000 square feet of outdoor cannabis canopy, as well as providing cannabis to other Cannabis uses and registered independent testing laboratories.
A use that entails transforming no more than 1,000 pounds of Cannabis per year into another product or extract, packaging and labeling the Cannabis product, and providing Cannabis to other Cannabis uses and registered independent testing laboratories.
A use that entails distributing Cannabis or Cannabis products for on-site consumption other than consumption by smoking indoors.
A use that entails transforming Cannabis into another product or extract, Packaging and labeling the cannabis product, and providing Cannabis to other Cannabis uses and registered independent testing laboratories. Cannabis processor also includes a former Medical cannabis processor that converted its license to allow for the processing of Cannabis for medical and adult use pursuant to Alcoholic Beverages & Cannabis Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor improvement (such as a sidewalk, a children’s playground, or the vehicular parking area for a single residence) for the sole purpose of sheltering persons or structures from sun or precipitation. A canopy is either freestanding, or attached to and projecting from the wall of a building. A canopy is supported only by columns or the wall of a building, and is unenclosed on all sides, except in the case of a projecting canopy where it abuts the building wall. A canopy shall not be considered a building or structure. An awning shall be considered a canopy.
An establishment providing the exterior washing of vehicles where vehicles are manually driven or pulled by a conveyor through a system of rollers and/or brushes, or are manually washed. Interior cleaning and/or drying may be conducted manually by vehicle operator or on-site attendants.
A feature within a multifamily development designed and intended for the sole use by residents of the development to wash, clean, and/or wax their motor vehicles.
A covered structure designed to shelter motor vehicles that is free-standing or attached to the wall of a building and is open on at least three sides.
An establishment that specializes in the preparation of food or beverages for social events, such as weddings, banquets, parties, or other gatherings, with or without banquet facilities for these private pre-arranged occasions. These establishments are not open to impromptu attendance by the general public, and exclude adult entertainment.
An establishment that specializes in the preparation of food or beverages for delivery and consumption at off-site locations.
A facility for the manufacture of cement and cement-related products.
A place used for the permanent interment of dead human bodies (or their cremated remains) or pet animal bodies (or their cremated remains). A memorial garden located on the premises of a place of worship where only the ashes of deceased persons or pets may be scattered or placed, is not a cemetery.
A nonconforming use for which a use and occupancy permit identifying the use as nonconforming has been issued.
For purposes of Section 27-5102(b)(1)(B), Medical Cannabis Grower and/or Processor, a physician, as specified within Section 14-101(i) of the Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, who is registered with the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission.
The change in the use of a structure or land. Change of use includes a change from one use type to another use type.
An establishment that accepts or cashes, for compensation, a payment instrument regardless of the date of the payment instrument. This use does not include activities undertaken by:
Additionally, this use does not include a business:
All waters of and lands under the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to the head of tide as indicated on the State wetlands maps, all State and private wetlands designated under the Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 16 of the Environmental Article; and all land and water areas within 1,000 feet beyond the landward boundaries of State or private wetlands and heads of tides designated under the Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 16 of the Environmental Article, as indicated on approved Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Overlay Zoning Map Amendments (ZMA).
A zoning map amendment used solely for the purpose of establishing or amending the County’s Chesapeake Bay Critical Area in accordance with County and state law. (Abbreviated as "CBCAO Zoning Map Amendment.")
An establishment designated specifically for the sale and on-site use of premium tobacco products in accordance with Section 19-131 of the Prince George’s County Code; and may also include food and alcohol products, excluding adult entertainment.
A motion picture theater that is a building or part of a building, and is devoted to showing motion pictures. This can also include an open lot or part of an open lot and auxiliary facilities devoted primarily to the showing of motion pictures on a paid admission basis to patrons seated on outdoor seats.
Temporary activities or events conducted by civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations, or activities of a business or organization that is not part of its daily activities and are open to the public. Such activities include, but are not limited to, circuses, carnivals, fairs, or tent revivals.
The use of land for the spreading or depositing of Class 3 fill materials—including, without limitation: soils difficult to compact or with other than optimum moisture content; rock and similar irreducible materials, without limit as to size, provided no detectable voids are formed into which overlying soils may later be washed; and topsoil, intermittently layered with nonorganic soil. Incidental fill operations associated with the development of subdivisions and other preliminary work of a developing site shall not be considered a Class 3 fill operation.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, a corridor symmetrically centered on the runway centerline beginning at the end of the runway and extending outward 3,000 feet and which has a width of 3,000 feet (1,500 feet to either side of the runway centerline). The Clear Zones for Joint Base Andrews are illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(4)(C): Accident Potential/Clear Zones North and South.
An establishment providing facilities for entertainment or recreation for only bona fide members and guests, and not operated for profit, excluding adult entertainment.
A building or room used for social or recreational activities by members of a club (e.g., golf course clubhouse) or occupants of a residential or other development.
A facility primarily engaged in the cold processing and storage of chilled or frozen food products.
A private institution offering a program of post-secondary education and instruction leading to associate, baccalaureate, or higher degrees, and that is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and accredited by a national association of colleges and universities.
One of multiple wireless telecommunications antennas placed or located on the same wireless telecommunications tower or other structure.
A department store that exceeds 75,000 square feet of which a minimum of 60 percent of the floor space is used as a department store, that also incorporates a drug store or pharmacy and a full line of groceries. This use does not include the principal uses of grocery store or food market, department store, or drug store or pharmacy.
An unattended, automated fuel dispensing facility that dispenses fuel to businesses, organizations, and municipalities that maintain a fleet of vehicles. This use does not include any retail sale of gasoline to the general public and does not include any store sales, vehicle service, or vending operations.
A large, integrated entertainment complex sited on at least 100 acres that features multiple, large-scale outdoor amusements including roller coasters, thrill rides, water parks, and water slides, and includes indoor amusements and food service.
A contiguous assemblage of land leased from a public agency before January 1, 1974, continuing no less than sixty (60) acres at the time of said lease and to be developed with an array of commercial uses, including parking lots for commercial purposes, residential, lodging, recreational, entertainment, retail, social, cultural, or similar uses, and which development and/or use shall conform to the terms of that lease as modified or amended.
Establishments, excluding vehicle paint finishing shops, that repair, install, or maintain the mechanical components or the bodies of large trucks, mass transit vehicles, large construction or agricultural equipment, or commercial boats. Includes paint booths, mixing areas, and spraying or similar means of application of automobile paint that are customarily incidental to commercial vehicle repair and maintenance operations.
Land or facilities that are located within, or related to, a development, and that are designed for use by the residents (and guests) of, or workers in, the entire development or a designated part of the development. Common area does not include land or facilities which are individually owned or dedicated to public use. Common area remains in the ownership of a homeowners' or similar association.
A “building” which is primarily available to the public for educational, recreational, or civic purposes, and not operated for profit.
Land devoted to the cultivation of fruits, flowers, vegetables, or ornamental plants by more than one person, household, family, or by an organization for personal or group use, consumption, or donation. Community gardens may be divided into separate plots for cultivation by one or more individuals or may be farmed collectively by members of the group and may include common areas maintained and used by group members.
Building space leased to a non-profit community service agency, social service, or arts organization that is primarily available to the public for educational, recreational, community service, social service, or other civic purposes, and not operated for profit.
A facility where organic matter derived primarily off-site is processed by composting for commercial purposes.
An area proximate to one or more neighborhoods and accessible by the public that is designed for the purpose of collecting and converting kitchen and yard waste from local households, businesses, institutions, and/or government entities into compost.
A plan guiding the physical development of Prince George’s County. Forms of comprehensive plans include the General Plan, Area Master Plans, Sector Plans, and Functional Master Plans.
Refer to Subtitle 32: Water Resources Protection and Grading Code, of the County Code for the definition.
A facility in which concrete or asphalt or their ingredients or products are ground up, mixed, or otherwise prepared for use on-site or for transportation to a construction site ready to be poured.
An establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing concrete pipe, brick, and block from a mixture of cement, water, and aggregate.
A facility that processes concrete demolition material by crushing to remove reinforcing metals, if any, and to reduce the size of concrete material to a commercially usable size.
A facility designed to accommodate fewer than 500 persons and used for conferences, seminars, product displays, recreation activities, and entertainment functions, along with accessory uses including temporary outdoor displays, and food or beverage preparation and service for on–premise consumption.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, an inclined imaginary surface extending outward and upward from the outer periphery of the inner horizontal surface for a horizontal distance of 7,000 feet to a height of 500 feet above the established airfield elevation. The slope of the conical surface is 20:1. The conical surface connects the inner horizontal surfaces, illustrated on Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(B): Height, as "E."
Refer to Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, of the County Code for the definition.
Refer to Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, of the County Code for the definition.
Refer to Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, of the County Code for the definition.
Refer to Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, of the County Code for the definition.
A building or group of buildings divided into separate self-contained units or areas of 500 square feet or less that are offered for rent for self-service storage of household and personal property and not for use in connection with the operation of a business. The storage units or areas are designed to allow private access by the tenant for storing and removing personal property. The rental of trucks or trailers is a separate principal use and not considered accessory to this use.
A temporary structure, facility, or space associated with the staging, management, and security of new construction—including an office building, security building, storage buildings, construction waste and recycling receptacles, temporary sanitation facilities, outdoor storage, and employee parking areas—and located on or adjacent to the construction site.
Establishments that sell consumer goods at retail, including but not limited to art galleries; bait shops; bicycle sales, rental, services, or repair; home building and garden supplies stores; monument or headstone sales establishments; taxidermies; and similar uses (e.g., floor covering stores, window treatment stores, camera stores, optical goods stores, shoe stores, luggage stores, jewelry stores, piece goods stores, and pet shops).
A building or portion of a building used by a building, heating, plumbing, electrical, or other development contractor both as an office and for the storage of a limited quantity of materials, supplies, and equipment inside the building. If outdoor storage of materials, supplies, or equipment is associated with the office, the use is considered a contractor’s yard.
A lot or portion of a lot or parcel used for outdoor storage and maintenance of construction equipment and other materials and facilities customarily required in the building trade by a construction contractor.
A retail sales and service store with less than 5,000 square feet of floor area that primarily sells grocery or deli items and miscellaneous day-to-day goods, such as bottled drinks, candy, canned foods, bread, milk, cheese, beer, wine, papers and magazines, general hardware articles, and the incidental sales of tobacco or tobacco accessories not to include hookahs, provided that the area of the tobacco products is not more than thirty-two (32) square feet or five percent (5%) of the gross floor area, whichever is less. Quick-service food may be offered as an accessory use. A convenience store may also contain another principal use, such as a restaurant if such other use is also permitted in the same zone. A convenience store shall not sell gas or have gas pumps.
A structure used for the purpose of housing persons on a permanent basis who constitute a religious community typically consisting of nuns, priests, monks, or other similar religious personnel. For the purpose of this definition, the terms convent and monastery are interchangeable and shall have the same meaning. Assembly for worship services may be conducted in conjunction with the convent or monastery use.
The conversion of an existing single-family detached dwelling to add a maximum of two (2) additional dwelling units.
A non-potentially hazardous food that is offered for sale only at a farmers’ market or authorized public event.
A chartered, nonprofit membership club catering primarily to its members, providing but not limited to one or more of the following recreational and social activities: golf, swimming, riding, outdoor recreation, club house, locker room, and pro shop.
A “building” having historical, architectural, or cultural significance, or the appearance of it, within which is provided (for compensation) lodging or food service for transient guests in a historical, scenic, or pastoral atmosphere. A bed-and-breakfast inn; boardinghouse; private dormitory; fraternity or sorority house; restaurant; restaurant, quick-service; or rooming house shall not be considered a country inn.
A facility containing furnaces for the reduction of dead bodies—either human or animal— to ashes by fire.
A facility for storing, using, loaning, and occasionally selling literary, historical, scientific, musical, artistic, or other reference materials (e.g., library), or for displaying or preserving objects of interest or providing facilities for one or more of the arts or sciences to the public (e.g., museum). Accessory uses include offices, storage facilities used by staff, and meeting rooms.
The period of time between midnight and the following midnight. A "Day" is a calendar day, unless otherwise specified.
An establishment in which a program is operated that is designed to provide care and activities for nine (9) or more children not located in a dwelling unit, or thirteen (13) or more children in a dwelling unit, on a regular schedule (more than once a week). This term shall not include recreational program, before- and after-school, "private school" or "small group child care center."
A business or an establishment that provides, or markets itself as providing, the temporary employment of persons where persons wait at the establishment on a daily basis for work assignments or transportation to work assignments. This definition specifically excludes those services placing employees primarily through telephone contacts that do not involve the waiting of prospective employees on the premises, whether for employment, transportation, or assignment.
See Section 27-2202(c), Net Density (Dwelling Units per Acre).
A general merchandising store offering a variety of unrelated goods and services that may include clothing, housewares, body products, and specialty items.
A procedure in this Ordinance that allows minor changes from certain dimensional or development standards in specific circumstances, subject to specific limitations and standards in order to allow development that is consistent with the context in which it is located, while accomplishing the purposes of this Ordinance. See Section 27-3614, Departure (Minor and Major) of this Subtitle.
A development application for review of proposed project elements such as building design, site layout, and landscaping. See Section 27-3605, Detailed Site Plan of this Subtitle.
A site plan that is prepared in order to proceed with limited site improvements. These improvements must include infrastructure which is essential to the future development of the site, including streets, utilities, or stormwater management facilities.
Any activity that materially affects the condition or use of dry land, land under water, or any structure.
See “Application or Development Application.”
The entire parcel proposed for a two-family, three-family, or townhouse development, containing all parcels proposed to be owned in common and all proposed individual lots under two-family, three-family, or townhouse units.
Illumination by light sources that are effectively visible, either directly or through a translucent material, illuminating outward.
A facility primarily engaged in the distribution of manufactured products, supplies, and equipment. It includes the temporary storage of such products, supplies, and equipment pending distribution.
The Prince George's County Council, sitting as the District Council for the Prince George's County portion of the Maryland-Washington Regional District. See Section 27-3301, District Council.
A facility where dogs may socialize and be groomed, trained, and/or exercised during the day, for compensation, but not kept overnight, bred, sold, or let for hire.
A park for domesticated dogs to exercise and play off-leash (many times with other dogs) in a controlled and fenced environment under the supervision of their owners.
A building not owned or operated by a college or university that contains bedrooms primarily for students attending a college or university. Bedrooms may be arranged around a common area with a kitchen which is shared by individuals renting the bedrooms, or along a hall which provides access to a common kitchen space. Bedrooms shall be rented on an annual basis or for an academic semester or summer term. Private dormitories are typically four stories or more in height. Accessory uses may include fitness facilities, pools, parking areas, and similar facilities. A boarding or rooming house is not a private dormitory, nor is rental of single-family homes to students.
The Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement of Prince George’s County, Maryland.
See Section 27-3306, Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement Director (DPIE Director).
A facility used to provide products or services to customers who remain in their vehicles, whether through a window or door in a building, a machine in a building or detached structure (e.g., ATM), or via a mechanical device (e.g., a pneumatic tube system). In addition to the pick-up window or door, drive-through service facilities also may include remote menu boards and ordering stations. Use types that commonly have drive-through service include banks, restaurants, specialty eating or drinking establishments, and drug stores.
An educational facility providing classroom and practical instruction in the operation of motor vehicles.
A retail store primarily engaged in the filling and sale of prescription drugs and the sale of medical supplies, nonprescription medicines, and related goods and services. It may also sell nonmedical goods such as cosmetics, cards, and groceries such as food and household items. Accessory uses may include automated teller machines (ATMs) and facilities providing drive-through service.
A facility where retail customers drop off or pick up laundry or dry cleaning and where the cleaning processes may take place on site as long as all cleaning materials and chemicals and waste water is disposed of in compliance with all applicable permits and regulations.
A facility engaged in cleaning fabrics, textiles, apparel, or other articles by immersion (and agitation) in water or volatile solvents.
A building used for living facilities for one or more families.
A building (or part of a building) used as a complete and independent living facility for only one family, which includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
A structure or portion of a structure combining a residential dwelling unit for one or more persons with an integrated work space principally used by one or more of the dwelling unit residents.
A building containing four or more dwelling units. Units may be located side by side in a horizontal configuration or stacked one above the other in a vertical configuration, sharing common vertical walls or horizontal floors and ceilings. Multifamily dwellings include what are commonly called apartments, or condominium units, but not townhouse dwellings.
One to three attached buildings that are used as single-family dwellings which are attached by means of a solid, common wall.
A single detached building on a lot, other than a manufactured home dwelling, that contains a single dwelling unit and that sits on a permanent foundation.
A building containing three dwelling units. Units may be located side by side in a horizontal configuration or stacked one above the other in a vertical configuration, sharing common vertical walls or horizontal floors and ceilings.
A building containing four or more dwelling units that are attached horizontally through, and entirely separated by, common walls, with each dwelling unit occupying space from the lowest floor to the roof of the building.
A building containing two dwelling units. Units may be located side by side in a horizontal configuration or stacked one above the other in a vertical, configuration, sharing common vertical solid walls extending from the grade to the roof, or horizontal floors and ceilings. The building typologies commonly referred to as two-over-two dwellings or stacked dwelling units are examples of two-family dwellings.
A vehicle, whether hybrid or not, that is powered by an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells, or other portable sources of electrical current, and which may include a nonelectrical source of power designed to charge batteries and components.
The apparatus, commonly called charging stations or charging docks, installed specifically for the purpose of transferring energy between the premises wiring and the electric vehicle.
The charging capability of the electric vehicle charging outlet includes the ability to charge a battery or any other storage device in an electric vehicle through means of an alternating current electrical service with a minimum of 208 volts and that meets applicable industry safety standards and future changes to the National Electrical Code as adopted in Subtitle 9 of the Prince George’s County Code.
An outlet/receptable with a 50-amp, 240-volt rating, for purposes of connecting a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station.
A designated parking space which is provided with a dedicated branch circuit that is not less than 40-ampere and 208/240-volt assigned for EVSE terminating in a receptacle or junction box located near the proposed location of EV parking space. For two adjacent EV-Ready spaces, a single branch circuit is permitted.
A parking space that includes:
A retail store where the primary “use” is the retail sale of, for off-site consumption, electronic cigarettes, or any other electronic device that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substance to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, or pipe; any cartridge or other component of the device; or any related electronic cigarette product.
An establishment in which obsolete or outdated computers, televisions, cell phones, printers, PDAs, medical equipment (not including x-ray machines or other potentially radioactive devices), and other electronic devices used in offices and homes, which have been previously separated from the solid waste stream, are collected and sorted, processed and sold for reuse or packaged for distribution to other facilities where the materials will be further recycled, used as raw materials or will otherwise be returned to the market place. Processing means the preparation of materials by such means as disassembling, refurbishing, baling, briquetting, compacting, grinding, crushing, shredding, and separation into commodity grade materials. The use shall not include the treatment, speculative accumulation or recycling of, cathode ray tubes, hazardous materials, or radioactive Universal Waste as defined by 40 CFR Part 273, as amended from time to time, which shall be shipped off-site to a certified facility for further recycling. In addition the use shall not include smelting, biological, or chemical treatment of the component parts recovered from the electronic devices.
Any facility operated by a private, nonprofit organization offering religious, social, physical, recreational, emergency, or benevolent services, and which is not already specifically allowed in the various zones. The organization shall not carry on a business on the premises. The term shall not include an “adult day care center” or “group residential facility.”
A facility for public services such as fire and police services, emergency medical services (EMS), emergency operation centers, and related administrative services.
An establishment primarily engaged in finding jobs for people seeking them and finding people to fill particular jobs offered by employers.
Alterations which increase the usable area of a “building,” “structure,” or other improvement, or “use” (including the addition of any new “structure” or other improvement). Modifications such as the addition of cupolas, windows, or “canopies,” which do not increase the usable square footage of a “building” or “structure,” or which do not increase the usable square footage of a “building” or “structure,” or which do not expand the occupied usable land area of the “lot,” shall not be considered an enlargement or extension.
A place of entertainment offering live performances (including, but not limited to, comedic and dramatic performances), live or recorded music, or similar activities and which may offer food and/or beverages for consumption on the premises. An entertainment establishment shall not include nightclubs or adult entertainment.
Refer to Subtitle 25: Trees and Vegetation, of the County Code for the definition.
A facility designed and intended for the instruction and display of equestrian skills—including, but not limited to, show jumping and dressage—and the hosting of events, competitions, exhibitions, or other displays of equestrian skills. Accessory uses include the caring for, breeding, boarding, dealing, selling, renting, riding, or training equines. It includes barns, stables, rings, paddocks, or other related accessory structures.
A quasi-judicial hearing involving the receiving of evidence and testimony, which shall be given under admininstered oaths.
An individual living alone as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit, or any of the following, living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit:
An accessory use of a dwelling to provide child care for 9 to 12 children as a large family child care home that is registered by the State Department of Education in accordance with COMAR 13A.18.
An accessory use of a dwelling to provide child care for up to eight children as a family child care home that is registered by the State Department of Education in accordance with COMAR 13A.15, or that is specifically exempt from registration by COMAR 13A.15.02.
An alcohol production facility located on a farm and using agricultural products produced on the farm. Farm breweries, distilleries, rectifiers, or wineries are licensed and regulated by the State of Maryland and Federal Law. Accessory uses may include retail sales of beverages produced on-site as allowed by State licensing laws.
A principal use that includes the sale of horticultural or agricultural products where at least 25 percent of the products sold are agricultural products produced on-site.
An establishment for the sale of plant seeds and bulbs, animal feed, fertilizer, herbicides and soil conditioners, fungicides and insecticides, and similar products to farmers; or for the sale, rental, and/or repair of equipment normally or routinely used on farms or gardens, and related parts, tools and accessories—but not of non-farm equipment or materials.
A single-family detached dwelling or dormitory (but not a multifamily dwelling) that is:
A collection of vendors using private or publicly owned property or property owned by a nonprofit organization for the sale of agricultural and horticultural products grown by the vendor, value-added items produced by the vendor from agricultural, horticultural, or forestry products, or for the sale of foods prepared by the vendor. for more than 106 days in a calendar year, it is considered a principal use. If the farmers’ market operates for 106 or fewer days in a calendar year, it is considered a temporary use.
The design, location, and presence of windows and doors in a building. Where there are fenestration/transparency requirements, the window and door openings counting toward meeting this transparency requirement shall consist of glass that is relatively clear and non-reflective, with a minimum visible light transmittance of 0.65 and maximum visible light reflectance of 0.20.
The production of any materials, of natural or synthetic origin, that is applied to soils or plant tissues to supply one or more nutrients.
The display for retail sale of wood cut and dried to serve as fuel.
Commercial operations and structures for the raising, packaging, canning, freezing, or processing of fish, mollusks, or crustaceans, which may include related activities such as wholesale, retail sales, storage structures, and loading docks.
Transit service provided in rights-of-way dedicated for that service. Commuter rail, heavy rail (such as Metrorail), light rail, and bus rapid transit in dedicated rights-of-way, are considered fixed-guideway transit. Bus services provided in a painted lane or lane shared with traffic are not considered fixed-guideway transit.
The temporary and occasional collection of vendors using stalls, booths, or tables on property owned by a public agency or a nonprofit organization for the sale of merchandise, collectibles, crafts, antiques, or other items, excluding automobiles, automobile parts, and nonportable household appliances.
A building with a flexible, open floor plan that can be configured as needed to house uses such as office, industrial service, light manufacturing, and warehousing uses.
The ratio of the gross floor area of all buildings or structures on a lot to the area of that lot. (Abbreviated as "FAR.”) See Section 27-2202(d), Floor Area Ratio.
A facility for the storing or distribution of treated or prepared food or beverage products at wholesale, but not including the slaughtering of small or large livestock or confined animal feeding operations (food processing), or for the placing of soft drinks, juice, water, milk, alcoholic beverages, or other liquids into bottles or cans for shipment (beverage bottling).
A place where farmers, farm cooperatives, or wholesalers can deliver agriculture products for pick-up by consumers or wholesalers. Food hub does not include such uses as a stockyard or slaughterhouse.
A food market is an establishment that offers specialty food, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), or sundry products at retail, such as meat, seafood, produce, artisanal goods, baked goods, pasta, cheese, confections, coffee, tea, soft drinks and other specialty food products. A food market may also offer additional food and non-food commodities related or complementary to the specialty food products, provided that the sales area of tobacco products is not more than thirty-two (32) square feet or five percent (5%), whichever is less, of the gross floor area of the overall retail sales area. A food market may sell beer, alcohol, and wine for consumption off the premises with the appropriate State of Maryland beverage licenses. The term “food market” includes the term “food or beverage store” and “liquor store” from the prior Zoning Ordinance excepting full-service grocery stores, which are classified as “grocery store” in this Ordinance, and food markets associated with gas stations, which are part of the definition of “gas station” in this Ordinance.
Commercial establishments consisting of three or more individually-licensed businesses within an enclosed building where food and/or beverages may be consumed on the premises, taken out, or delivered, and which may also include small retail venues and/or temporary market stalls, of up to thirty percent of the gross floor area of the use. Food and/or beverage uses shall comprise a minimum of sixty percent of the gross floor area of the use. Patrons may be served while seated and pay after eating, or orders may be made at a walk-up window, counter, machine, or remotely, and payment made prior to food consumption. Characteristics of food and market halls include, but are not limited to: shared entrance/lobby areas; compartmentalized spaces for individually-licensed businesses; craft retail and locally-made products such as, but not limited to, apothecary, clothing, and furniture; art shows; maker space for craft artisans; shared eating areas, shared restrooms, and shared “back of house” areas (e.g. storage, dishwashing, food preparation); live entertainment; artistic performances; and artistic instruction. Each compartmentalized space may have access to the exterior of the building, along with outdoor dining and seating areas, which may be shared with other businesses within the establishment. Any use operating as a food hall use or market hall use or could be construed as a food hall or market hall under this Subtitle that was in operation on or before January 1, 2020, may continue operations in accordance with the provisions of this Subtitle. The term “food and market hall” shall not include an integrated shopping center, flea market, or farmers’ market.
Preparing food for market that causes a change in the natural form or state of the product.
An outdoor unenclosed area in which two or more mobile units, as defined by Subtitle 12: Health, of the County Code, may cluster in order to primarily sell freshly prepared foods or fresh fruits and vegetables.
The use of land whereby forests are tended, harvested for commercial purposes, and reforested either by natural or human reforestation, and where timber is cut and sorted on-site.
A detailed accounting of woody vegetation, prepared in plan and document form, as required by Subtitle 25, Division 2, as explained in the publication, The Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Technical Manual.
An establishment primarily engaged in attempts to tell fortunes or predict the future (for pay or voluntary contributions) by means of occult or psychic powers, faculties, or forces; necromancy, palmistry, psychology, psychic psychometry, spirits, medium-ship, seership, prophecy, cards, talismans, sorcery, charms, potions, magnetism, tea leaves, magic, numerology, mechanical devices, handwriting analyses, phrenology, character readings, or any other similar means.
A building used for lodging by individuals who are members or affiliates of a fraternity or sorority while attending a college or university. It may include facilities for dining for the residents, employees, and guests of the residents. A fraternity or sorority house is not a boarding or rooming house, eleemosynary or philanthropic institution, group residential facility, or dwelling.
The boundary of a lot abutting the right-of-way of a primary street, from which the required setback or build-to zone is measured.
An establishment primarily engaged in the distribution of fuel oil or bottled gases such as propane or liquid petroleum for compensation.
The approved plan for one of the various elements of the General Plan, such as transportation, schools, libraries, hospitals, health centers, parks and other open spaces, police stations, fire stations, utilities, or historic preservation.
A building used for human funeral services. A funeral parlor or undertaking establishment may contain facilities for:
A funeral parlor or undertaking establishment does not include facilities for cremation.
A structure used or designed for the parking and storage of motor vehicles or boats. A garage is an enclosed building whereas a carport is a roofed structure open on one or more sides. Garages and carports are commonly attached to and considered part of a dwelling or other principal building, but may exist as a detached accessory structure.
The temporary use of the garage or yard of a residential dwelling for the sale of miscellaneous items of personal property to the general public.
A building or lot where gasoline or other similar fuel, stored only in underground tanks, is dispensed directly to users of motor vehicles. The following activities are permitted as accessory uses to a gas station:
Services allowed at a gas station do not include major chassis or body work; repair of transmissions or differentials; machine shop work; straightening of body parts; or painting, welding, or other work involving noise, glare, fumes, smoke, or other characteristics to an extent greater than normally found in gas stations.
An establishment engaged in the repair or servicing of agriculture, industrial, business, or consumer machinery, equipment, products, or by-products. Firms that provide these services do so by mainly providing centralized services for separate retail outlets. Contractors and building maintenance services and similar uses perform services off-site. Few customers, especially the general public, come to the site. Accessory activities may include retail sales, offices, and storage.
The approved plan for the physical development of the Regional District for that portion of the District in Prince George’s County.
An area of land laid out for playing golf. A golf course may include accessory recreational facilities, such as driving ranges, putting greens, concessions for serving food and refreshments to members and guests, horse shoe pits, picnic areas, and accessory facilities directly related to golf.
A limited area of land on which people can remain in a single location to practice their golf swing from a common driving tee or pad. Accessory uses may include a concessions stand, netting, exterior lighting fixtures, putting greens, as well as maintenance and outdoor storage areas. This use does not include a golf course.
See Subtitle 32, Division 2: Grading, Drainage and Erosion and Sediment Control, of the County Code of Ordinances.
An area of land associated with, and located on the same parcel of land as, a building for which it serves to provide light and air, or scenic, recreational, or similar purposes. Green area shall generally be available for use by the occupants of the building, but may include a limited amount of space to enhance the amenity of the development by providing landscaping features, screening for the benefit of people in neighboring areas, or a general appearance of openness. Green area may include lawns, decorative plantings, sculptures, wooded areas, landscaped areas covering structures that are not more than 12 feet above ground level, sidewalks and walkways, furniture, active and passive recreational areas, community gardens, green area, and water surfaces comprising not more than ten percent of the total green area. It shall not include parking lots or other vehicular surfaces, or accessory buildings, except as otherwise provided.
A roof of a structure that is partially or completely covered with vegetated landscape built up from a series of layers. Vegetation on green roofs is planted in a growing substrate that may range in depth from 50 millimeters to more than a meter, depending on the weight capacity of the structure’s roof and the aims of the design. Green roofs may be appropriate for food production.
A linear park that links various parts of the community with facilities such as bicycle paths and footpaths.
A grocery store is an establishment that offers a variety of unrelated, non-complementary food and non-food commodities, such as beverages, dairy, dry goods, fresh produce, meat, fish, and other perishable items, frozen foods, household products, and paper goods; may provide beer, wine, and/or liquor sales for consumption off the premises with the appropriate State of Maryland beverage license; may include a prescription pharmacy; may include a delicatessen and/or bakery, and prepare minor amounts of food on site for immediate consumption; markets the majority of its merchandise at retail prices; and may have a restaurant as an accessory use.
The total number of square feet of floor area in a building, excluding garages and structured parking areas, those portions of a basement used exclusively for storage or other areas used exclusively for a building’s mechanical equipment, and uncovered steps and porches, but including the total floor area of accessory buildings on the same lot. All horizontal measurements shall be made between the exterior faces of walls, columns, foundations, or other means of support or enclosure. It includes walkways or plazas within wholly enclosed shopping malls but does not include covered walkways or plazas in other shopping centers, or other areas covered solely by canopies. (Abbreviated as "GFA.")
A residential facility operated by a responsible individual or organization that has a program designed to provide a supportive living arrangement for five or more individuals (unrelated to the operator by blood, adoption, or marriage) who are members of a service population that, because of age or emotional, mental, physical, familial, or social conditions, needs supervision.
This use includes facilities for developmentally disabled persons, drug dependent persons, alcoholic persons, juveniles, or persons whose welfare and adjustment within the community are dependent on support from the community.
The use does not include:
A group residential facility for the mentally disabled for up to eight residents shall be considered a single-family detached dwelling. A mentally disabled population includes any individual with a primary disability as a result of mental retardation, mental illness, or mental disorder which impairs the person's cognitive ability to live independently (excluding addictive disorders resulting from substance abuse).
A detached “accessory building” used to house the transient guests of the occupants of the main “dwelling.” The “guest house” shall not be separately rented, leased, or sold.
A room or suite of rooms in which living and sleeping accommodations are provided for one (1) or more paying visitors. “Guest rooms” shall have no provisions for cooking, except in the case of “guest rooms” in a “hotel” or “motel,” where “guest rooms” may contain a “kitchenette.” Rooms in “private dormitories” and “fraternity or sorority houses” are not “guest rooms.”
A harmonious, balanced mix of medical, residential, and limited commercial uses, and which are necessary to meet the needs of the campus.
An indoor establishment, including saunas and steam baths, offering or providing facilities for, and instruction in, general health, physical fitness, and controlled exercises such as, but not limited to, weight lifting, calisthenics and aerobic/slimnastic dancing, and massages.
A tool that may include a combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a policy, program or project may be evaluated as to its potential effects on the health of a population, the distribution of those effects within the population, and provide a platform to make our communities healthier.
A facility for the fabrication of heavy armaments ranging from man-portable rockets, missiles, and machine guns to motorized and mechanized armaments, weapons designed for ship, aircraft, or permanent emplacement, and similar armaments.
An establishment engaged in the display, sale, leasing, rental, servicing, or storage of heavy equipment of 12,000 or more pounds gross vehicular weight (GVW).
See building height.
A facility located on the roof of an office or other building (like a hospital) that accommodates the landing and take-off of helicopters.
Areas within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone that are impacted by noise levels exceeding 74 dBA Ldn as established by Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(C): Noise Intensity. (Abbreviated as “HINA.”)
Any station, bus stop, or other transit facility served by scheduled transit on weekday peak-level frequencies of 15 minutes or less and weekday off-peak frequencies of 20 minutes or less.
Soils with an erodibility (K) factor greater than 0.35 as determined by the Prince George’s Soil Conservation District.
The Historic Preservation Commission for Prince George’s County established in Division 3 of Subtitle 29, Historic Preservation Commission, of the County Code. See Section 27-3307, Historic Preservation Commission.
Modifications customarily made to dwellings for the purpose of enlargement, alteration, or addition.
Any occupation or enterprise for gain or profit carried on in a dwelling unit and which meets the criteria of Section 27-5203(b)(6), Home Occupation. The following uses are permitted as a home occupation accessory to, incidental to, and secondary to a dwelling unit, subject to restrictions in the definitions of those uses, and with additional restrictions as indicated:
The following uses are not permitted as a home occupation accessory to a dwelling unit:
An institution receiving inpatients and providing medical care on a 24-hours-per-day basis. The term includes general hospitals, sanitariums, and institutions in which service is limited to fields of specialization, such as cardiac, eye, ear, nose and throat, pediatric, orthopedic, skin, cancer, mental, tuberculosis, chronic disease, and obstetrics. The facilities may also include outpatient care, ambulatory care, offices of medical practitioners, adult day care, respite care, medical day care and day care for sick children, gift shops, restaurants, and other accessory uses. The term shall not include an adult day care center, assisted living facility, group residential facility, or nursing or care home.
A “building” which contains six (6) or more “guest rooms,” none of which have entrances from outside the “building,” and where (for compensation) temporary lodging is provided. A bed and breakfast, boarding or rooming house, fraternity or sorority house, motel, or private dormitory shall not be considered a “hotel.”
The primary surface, approach-departure clearance surface, inner horizontal surface, or transitional surface, individually or collectively, as defined within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone. According to CFR 77.25, an object that exceeds this imaginary surface is an Obstruction to Air Navigation.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, an imaginary surface that is an oval plane at a height of 150 feet above the established airfield elevation. The inner boundary intersects with the approach-departure clearance surface and the transitional surface. The outer boundary is formed by scribing arcs with a radius 7,500 feet from the centerline of each runway end and interconnecting these arcs with tangents, illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(B): Height, as "D."
For the purposes of this Zoning Ordinance, the area between Interstate 495 and Prince George's County’s western boundary, inclusive of the corporate boundaries of the City of College Park, the City of Glenarden, and the Town of Forest Heights.
Any land or “building” used for the sale, storage, or collection of abandoned, dismantled, discarded, demolished, or worn out scrap materials, other than materials from motor vehicles, “trailers,” and “mobile homes.” The term does not include “vehicle salvage yards” and “recycling plants.” Any land or “building” used for the collection, storage, and shipping of recyclable paper, but no other scrap material, is not a “junkyard.”
The use of land and structures to provide forage, shelter, and care to one or more horses or ponies.
An establishment where a person engages in boarding, breeding, buying, grooming, letting for hire, training (for a fee), or selling dogs or cats, for which a license is required pursuant to Subtitle 3 of the County Code. This term does not include a pet grooming establishment. The number of animals permitted in the kennel shall be addressed as part of the special exception approval.
A solid waste management facility other than a construction and demolition debris disposal facility that is the final resting place for materials that normally result from land clearing and or land development operations for a construction project—including rocks, soils, trees, tree remains, and other vegetative matter, but not vegetative matter from lawn and landscape maintenance, right-of-way or easement maintenance, farming operations, nursery operations, or other sources not related to a construction project. This use is subject to State solid waste management regulations.
The document that promulgates the standards and criteria for developing landscaped, buffered, and screened areas in Prince George's County, and which is adopted and revised and amended from time to time by the District Council.
A business engaged in the planning, installation, construction, planting, repair, and maintenance of gardens, lawns, shrubs, vines, bushes, trees, and other decorative vegetation, including the grading and preparation of plots and areas of land for decorative treatment and arrangement, and the construction or installation of garden pools, fountains, pavilions, conservatories, hothouses, greenhouses, and drainage and sprinkler systems.
An establishment where automatic washing machines, clothes dryers, or dry-cleaning machines are provided for use by the general public.
An establishment primarily engaged in providing lawn care services (e.g., mowing, aeration, seeding, fertilizer, landscaping) or pest control services (e.g., inspection, extermination).
An amendment to the text of this Zoning Ordinance. See Section 27-3501, Legislative Amendment.
The distribution, for compensation, of fuel oil or bottled gases such as propane or liquid petroleum in containers no greater than five gallons in volume.
For purposes of establishing a score under the Street Connectivity Index (see Section 27-6206(f)(2), Connectivity Index Score Calculation) a link represents the stretches of road that connect the nodes, alleys, substreets and pedestrian connections within the subdivision, links external to the subdivision that connect to nodes associated with the development, and the street stubs within the subdivision (serving as temporary dead-end streets).
A facility for the storage and distribution of liquid natural gas, liquid petroleum gas, and similar liquid gases typically consisting of above-ground and underground storage tanks and distribution pipelines.
Animals commonly regarded as farm animals, including, but not limited to, cattle, horses, goats, rabbits, pigs, llamas, ostriches or emus, and sheep.
A designated area of land to be used, developed, or built upon as a unit (in accordance with this Subtitle), and having the minimum contiguous area required for a “lot” in the applicable zone and frontage on a public “street,” or private road, right-of-way, or easement approved in accordance with Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations. A lot shall be made up of one (1) or more entire “record lots.”
A “lot” abutting two (2) or more “streets” at their intersection, where the interior angle of intersection does not exceed one hundred thirty-five degrees (135°).
Any “lot” other than a “corner lot.”
An area of land designated as a separate parcel of land on a “record plat,” or on a legally recorded deed (to land for which no “subdivision” plat is required pursuant to the provisions of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations) filed among the Land Records of Prince George's County, Maryland.
Either an "interior lot" fronting on two (2) or more "streets," or a "corner lot" fronting on three (3) or more "streets."
The percentage of a lot which is covered by all “buildings,” covered structures, and areas for vehicular access and parking of vehicles.
Lines bounding a “lot.”
The line running along the “front of the lot” and separating it from the “street.” In this Subtitle, the “front lot line” is also called the “front street line.” In a “through lot,” all lines abutting the “streets” are “front street lines.” On a “corner lot” the shortest lot line that abuts a “street” is the front lot line. If the “lot lines” abutting “streets” are of equal length, the “lot” fronts on the “street” having the longest frontages within the same “block.”
The “lot line” generally opposite or parallel to the “front street line,” except in a “through lot” which has no “rear lot line.” If a “rear lot line” is less than ten (10) feet long or the “lot” comes to a point at the rear, the “rear lot line” is a line at least ten (10) feet long (lying wholly within the “lot”), parallel to the “front street line” or, if the “front street line” is curved, parallel to the chord of the arc of the “front street line.”
Any “lot line” other than a “front street line” or a “rear lot line.” A “side lot line” separating the “lot” from a “street” is a “side street line.” In the absence of a “front street line,” all “lot lines” are “side lot lines.”
An amendment to an approved Functional Master Plan, Area Master Plan, or Sector Plan that exceeds the scope of a minor plan amendment, but which does not necessitate the preparation and approval of a new plan.
A structure, transportable in one or more sections, that in the traveling mode is 8 feet or more in width or 40 feet or more in length, or, where erected on a site, is 320 square feet or more, and that is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation where connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditions, and electrical systems contained therein. For the purpose of this Zoning Ordinance, a mobile home shall be considered a manufactured home.
The temporary placement and use of a manufactured home dwelling to provide emergency replacement housing following the destruction or damage of a dwelling by a fire, hurricane, tornado, flooding, or other physical catastrophe and until the dwelling is repaired, reconstructed, or replaced with a permanent dwelling.
A residential development designed to accommodate manufactured home dwellings, together with various other facilities for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the park. The use does not include a campground.
Land on which the primary use is the display and retail sale of manufactured home dwellings and/or modular homes.
An establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing uses that involve the creation of art or goods from raw or previously prepared materials. Such uses may include assembly of component parts and the creation of products for sale to the wholesale or retail markets or directly to consumers. Such uses are wholly confined within an enclosed building, do not include processing of hazardous gases and chemicals, and do not emit noxious noise, smoke, vapors, fumes, dust, glare, odor, or vibration. This use type does not include other manufacturing uses specifically listed in the principal use tables. Examples include, but are not limited to, painting; sculpture; photography; music composition and production; dance; traditional and fine craftsmanship; writing; film or animation production; dance; traditional and fine craftsmanship; writing; film or animation production; metal work; glass or ceramic work; jewelry, leader, or apparel production; and similar methods to produce artwork or goods.
An establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing uses that include, but are not limited to: the manufacture or assembly of machinery, equipment, instruments, vehicles, appliances, communications equipment, computer or electronic equipment, precision items and other electrical items; manufacture of metaling; manufacture of fertilizers; manufacture of soap; the processing of food and related products; pulp and paper mills, and the manufacture of other wood products. This use type does not include other manufacturing uses specifically listed in the principal use tables, or the manufacture of acids, ammunition, fertilizer, insecticides, or batteries.
An establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing uses that involve the mechanical transformation predominantly of previously prepared materials into new products, including assembly of component parts and the creation of products for sale to the wholesale or retail markets or directly to consumers. Such uses are wholly confined within an enclosed building, do not include processing of hazardous gases and chemicals, and do not emit noxious noise, smoke, vapors, fumes, dust, glare, odor, or vibration. This use type does not include other manufacturing uses specifically listed in the principal use tables. Examples include, but are not limited to: computer design and development; apparel production; sign making; assembly of pre-fabricated parts; container fabrication; manufacture of electric, electronic, or optical instruments or devices; manufacture and assembly of artificial limbs, dentures, hearing aids, and surgical instruments; manufacture, processing, and packing of cosmetics; manufacture of components, jewelry, clothing, trimming decorations; and any similar item.
A waterfront facility which, for a fee, provides for the berthing, mooring, or water storage of boats. The use may include such facilities as major and minor boat repair; boat docks, piers, and slips; boat fueling; dry land boat maintenance and storage; pump-out stations; fishing piers; beaches; erosion control devices; boat ramps, lifts, and launching facilities; boat sales, including parts; restaurants; ship’s store; sale of ice; car and boat trailer parking; laundromat; locker rooms; cabanas; bathhouse; public showers; outdoor playing courts; and picnic areas.
Any establishment primarily engaged in the administering of massages for pay by a massage therapist duly licensed or certified by the State of Maryland. This use does not include the following uses, which may include the administering of massages:
For purposes of Section 27-5402(nn), Medical Cannabis Dispensary, a facility, office, or clinic where patients are examined or treated by physicians, including hospitals and outpatient facilities, urgent care centers, physical therapy offices, and dentists, but does not include drug or alcohol treatment facilities, State-licensed medical clinics, or massage therapy establishments.
A place that primarily serves the needs of the retirement-aged community intended to provide a balance of residential dwellings and amenities and medical services. A medial/residential campus may include commercial or service-oriented uses to serve the needs of residents.
A medical or dental office is a small-scale facility or office where patients are admitted for examination and treatment by one or more physicians, dentists, or other health practitioners on a short-term basis. The use includes the offices of physicians, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, podiatrists, audiologists, speech pathologists, physical therapists, acupuncturists, psychologists, and other health practitioners. It also includes facilities providing short-term outpatient care and treatment (which may or may not be overnight), such as urgent care centers, kidney dialysis centers, ambulatory surgical clinics, outpatient pain therapy clinics, biofeedback centers, sleep disorder clinics, family planning clinics, community health clinics, and health maintenance organization (HMO) medical clinics, and hospice facilities. Such facilities that provide overnight care and treatment may include sleeping rooms for care workers and members of patients’ families. This use does not include hospitals or blood/tissue collection centers, drug or alcohol treatment facilities, or massage establishments.
Medical or dental labs are facilities and offices for performing services to provide information or materials for use in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease or a medical or dental condition. Such services include, but are not limited to, the examination of bodily fluids or tissues and the production or repair of prosthetic dentures, bridges, or other dental appliances. They may be a part of doctor’s or dentist’s offices.
An establishment primarily engaged in processing metals to create individual parts or assemblies, fabricating products by joining metals through welding, or installing or repairing piping or tubing systems that convey liquids, gas, steam, or water.
A defined land area where regulations in Section 27-4402(c), Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, modify zoning standards and requirements.
A recreational facility for the playing of a novelty version of golf with a putter, typically with artificial playing surfaces and theme-oriented obstacles such as bridges and tunnels.
An amendment to an approved Functional Master Plan, Area Master Plan, or Sector Plan limited by, and prepared, adopted, and approved through the minor plan amendment approval process in Section 27-3502(i) of this Ordinance.
Abbreviation of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Any premises where a customer, for a fee, is permitted to photograph, sketch, observe, view, paint, draw, sculpt or otherwise depict, or direct the poses of, a live human figure model in the nude or seminude. This term shall not be construed to include a theatre, an accredited school, or any similar type of cultural or educational use.
A compensatory education modular classroom which is used exclusively for the purpose of providing educational services to private school students pursuant to Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C., Section 2701 et seq. 28 (Title 1).
An establishment primarily engaged in cutting, shaping, and finishing marble, granite, slate, and other stone, or engaged in buying or selling monuments or headstones for use in cemeteries or mausoleums.
A business operation with the primary purpose of the transfer, storage, and the distribution of goods and materials to another location for the purpose of resale or use at the place to which they are distributed. It involves use of tractor-trailer or tandem truck vehicles for the movement of goods.
An incorporated city or town.
A plan and supporting documentation or letter as defined in Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations.
An establishment primarily involved in carrying out operations necessary for producing and distributing newspapers, including gathering news; writing news columns, feature stories, and editorials; selling and preparing advertisements; and publishing of newspapers in print or electronic form. Not included are establishments primarily engaged in printing publications without publishing (categorized as manufacturing and production uses) or education or membership organizations incidentally engaged in publishing magazines or newsletters for distribution to their membership.
A County newspaper, designated as such by the District Council, in accordance with the requirements of the Charter of Prince George's County, Maryland.
A place of entertainment offering live performances, live or recorded music, and dancing. A nightclub may offer food and/or beverages for consumption on the premises. Performances related to the display of specified activities or nudity are categorized as adult entertainment and are prohibited within nightclubs.
For purposes of establishing a score under the Street Connectivity Index (see Section 27-6206(f)(2), Connectivity Index Score Calculation), a node represents street intersections and cul-de-sac heads within the subdivision.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, one of the series of boundaries illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(C): Noise Intensity, showing the increases in the intensity of noise as measured in Decibels (dBA Ldn).
A study prepared and signed by a professional engineer with competence in acoustical analysis. There are two principal types of noise studies:
A record lot that was legally created before this Ordinance, or an amendment thereto, was adopted, that is rendered non-compliant with the dimensional standards in this Ordinance.
Any building or structure which is not in conformance with a requirement of the zone in which it is located (as it applies to the building or structure), provided that:
The use of any building, structure, or land which is not in conformance with the requirement of the zone in which it is located (as it specifically applies to the use), provided that:
Indoor or outdoor facilities for recreation activities operated by a bona fide nonprofit group or organization.
See Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, for the definition.
Structures or an area of land used for the display and sale of nursery stock or garden supplies.
Structures or an area of land located on land used for agriculture that is used for the display and sale of nursery stock or garden supplies. This use does not include a temporary wayside stand.
A licensed institution providing comprehensive medical and nursing services for chronically ill, disabled, or convalescent patients who require supervised care on a 24-hour-per-day basis. Services are rendered by or under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. The use includes facilities providing subacute level nursing care and restorative care. Accessory uses may include dining rooms and recreation and physical therapy facilities for residents, and offices and storage facilities for professional and supervisory staff. This use does not include assisted living facilities, where the focus is on providing personal care rather than medical care, or hospitals, where acute and specialized medical care is provided.
A principal use for conducting the affairs of various businesses, professions, services, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies—including administration, record keeping, clerical work, and similar business functions. Accessory uses may include uses intended to serve the daily needs of office employees, such as restaurants, coffee shops, newspapers, or candy stands.
A development containing a number of separate office buildings that is designed, constructed, and operated on an integrated and coordinated basis and under a uniform scheme of development.
Outdoor storage as a principal use is the keeping, in an unroofed area, of any goods, material, merchandise, or vehicles in the same place for more than 24 hours, where such storage is the principal use of a lot. This use does not include a junkyard or vehicle salvage yard or the display and storage of vehicles as part of an automobile, recreational vehicle, trailer, or truck sales or rental use.
Outdoor storage as an accessory use is the keeping, in an unroofed area on the site of a principal use, of any goods, material, merchandise, or vehicles associated with the principal use in the same place for more than 24 hours. This use does not include a junkyard or vehicle salvage yard or the display and storage of vehicles as part of an automobile, recreational vehicle, trailer, or truck sales or rental use.
See Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations.
A parcel that is part of a development located on the exterior of the development, generally adjacent to the street.
For the purposes of this Zoning Ordinance, all areas within Prince George's County that are not located between Interstate 495 and the County’s western boundary or within the corporate boundaries of the City of College Park, the City of Glenarden, or the Town of Forest Heights.
The person in whom legal or equitable title rests. Owner means any part owner, joint owner, owner of a community or partnership interest, life tenant, tenant in common, tenant by the entirety, or joint tenant. Where the signature of an owner is required, the term owner includes anyone having clear legal authority to act on behalf of the actual owner.
A facility used for the fabrication of products made from paper, paperboard, and similar materials originating from pressed plant fibers.
A facility used for the collection, storage, and shipping of recyclable paper and paper products.
A business establishment that provides goods and services to facilitate the transmittal and receipt of parcels and packages.
An off-street parking facility designed or intended to provide peripheral collection and storage of motor vehicles and bicycles to accommodate commuter traffic into or out of the community via a nearby transit station or terminal located within convenient walking distance of the facility. Accessory structures may include passenger shelters.
Land used for recreation, exercise, sports, education, rehabilitation, or similar activities, or a land area intended to enhance the enjoyment of natural features or natural beauty, including dog parks and excluding commercially operated amusement parks.
Any public or private area, under or outside of a building or structure, designed and used for parking motor vehicles, including parking lots, garages, private driveways, and legally designated areas of public streets.
The parking module consisting of one row of parking spaces or stalls and the drive aisle from which motor vehicles enter and leave the spaces.
An analysis of the total number of parking spaces required in order to accommodate the optimal number of vehicles for parking purposes by a particular use or site at any given time, including the parking requirements for all employees, occupants, clients, and visitors.
The use of an off-street, hard-surfaced, area—or a structure composed of one or more levels or floors—exclusively for the temporary storage of motor vehicles. A structured parking facility may be completely below grade or partially or totally above grade, with levels either being open to the sides (deck) or enclosed (garage).
An off-street parking area provided for the temporary storage of motor vehicles for no longer than thirty (30) days or the length of time specified in any associated temporary use permit.
A vehicular accessway located within an off-street parking or vehicular use area which serves individual parking stalls and driveways. Parking lot drive aisles are not streets and are not subject to any standards for streets in this Subtitle, except that primary drive aisles shall be designed in accordance with Section 27-6304(i)(1).
A site where commercial vehicles having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight specification of greater than 17,000 pounds may be parked for short- and long-term storage.
A space designated for the parking or temporary storage of one motor vehicle in addition to the space necessary for the ingress and egress from the vehicle by a person with disabilities and any equipment needed for that purpose.
A space that is designated for the parking or temporary storage of one motor vehicle located outside of a dedicated street right-of-way, vehicular travel way, or parking aisle.
A building for short-term storage of motor vehicles, having two or more tiers or levels, that has open sides or is enclosed, with the top tier or level either roofed or not.
A portion of the required off-street parking associated with a use that is not installed at the time of construction, but delayed or deferred until a parking demand study can be completed to determine if the additional required parking is needed.
Off-street parking facilities shared by two or more uses that are in close proximity to one another and the parking area, and that have different operational characteristics such that use of the parking facilities by one use will not generally overlap with the use of the parking area by the other use(s).
A parking space within a group of two or more parking spaces arranged one behind the other.
An area, usually paved, adjoining a building and used as an area for outdoor dining or gathering.
A business at which a person lends money on the deposit or pledge of tangible personal property or purchases tangible personal property on the condition of reselling the same to the seller at a stipulated price.
One or more adjoining structures housing one or more of the following uses: theaters or performance space for dramatic, dance, or musical productions; museums or galleries for display or exhibition of any form of artwork; schools, training centers, or practice space for artists; and accessory office, storage, or workplace areas for any such uses.
Any individual or natural person, legal entity, joint stock company, partnership, voluntary association, society, club, firm, company, corporation, business or other trust, civic association, municipality, government organization or entity, or any other organization, whether or not legally incorporated.
Uses including, but not limited to, a beauty salon or barbershop, a massage establishment, a nail care establishment, or saunas and steam baths. This term does not include a health club or a pet grooming establishment.
A laundromat or a dry-cleaning or laundry drop-off/pick-up establishment.
An establishment primarily engaged in providing repair services for audiovisual equipment, bicycles, clocks, watches, jewelry, shoes, guns, canvas products, appliances, and office equipment—including tailors, locksmiths, and upholsterer services.
A business principally engaged in providing travel arrangement and reservation services to the general public and not to commercial clients.
Establishments, excluding vehicle paint finishing shops, that repair, install, or maintain the mechanical components or the bodies of autos, small trucks or vans, motorcycles, motor homes, or recreational vehicles including recreational boats or that wash, clean, or otherwise protect the exterior or interior surfaces of these vehicles. Includes paint booths, mixing areas, and spraying or similar means of application of automobile paint customarily incidental to personal vehicle repair and maintenance operations.
An establishment where a pet animal may be cleaned, styled, or otherwise have its appearance maintained. This does not include day care or boarding facilities, such as a dog day care or kennel.
A facility primarily engaged in the large-scale processing of photographic film into finished slides and prints.
An individual who has a physical impairment that:
A building, structure, or area of land where people regularly assemble to conduct religious worship, ceremonies, rituals, and related education. Places of worship include chapels, churches, mosques, shrines, synagogues, tabernacles, temples, and other similar religious places of assembly.
An integrated development that offers senior citizens a full continuum of housing options and assistance, ranging from fully independent dwelling units, to assistance with personal care in assisted living facilities, to long-term skilled nursing care in a nursing or care home.
The Prince George's County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. See Section 27-3302, Prince George’s County Planning Board (Planning Board).
The Planning Director of the Prince George’s County Planning Department, or a designee. See Section 27-3305, Planning Director.
A drive aisle in a parking lot that is directly in front of the primary facades of structures being served by the parking lot. The primary drive aisle functions as a collector of circulating vehicles from the drive aisles serving perpendicular parking spaces and/or that connects directly to the property’s access points to a public street.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, an imaginary surface symmetrically centered on the runway, extending 200 feet beyond each runway end that defines the limits of the obstruction clearance requirements in the vicinity of the landing area. The width of the primary surface is 2,000 feet, or 1,000 feet on each side of the runway centerline, illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(B): Height, as "A."
A commercial establishment primarily engaged in lithographic (offset), gravure, flexographic, screen, quick, digital, or other method of printing or reproduction on stock materials on a job order basis.
A building not owned or operated by a college or university that contains bedrooms primarily for students attending a college or university. Bedrooms may be arranged around a common area with a kitchen which is shared by individuals renting the bedrooms, or along a hall which provides access to a common kitchen space. Bedrooms shall be rented on an annual basis or for an academic semester or summer term. Accessory uses may include fitness facilities, pools, parking areas, and similar facilities. A boarding or rooming house is not a private dormitory, nor is rental of single-family homes to students.
An educational institution that offers a program of high school, middle school (or junior high school), elementary school (including kindergarten, pre-kindergarten, pre-kindergarten – 8, or nursery school), or academy instruction meeting State requirements for a school. Such uses include classrooms, laboratories, auditoriums, libraries, cafeterias, before- and after-school care, athletic facilities, dormitories, and other facilities that further the educational mission of the institution.
A structure used for the sale of produce and other goods.
A structure or facility that is a relatively major component of an infrastructure system providing community- or region-wide utility services. Examples of major public utility uses or structures include potable water treatment plants, water towers, wastewater treatment plants, solid waste facilities, gas compressor stations, and electrical substations. This use does not include telecommunications facilities, monopoles, or towers; or antennas.
A structure or facility that by itself is a relatively minor component of an infrastructure system providing community- or region-wide utility services and that needs to be in or near the neighborhood or use type where the service is provided. Examples of minor utility facilities include water and sewage pipes and pump stations, stormwater pipes and retention/detention facilities, telephone lines and local exchanges, electric lines and transformers, gas transmission pipes and valves, and CATV lines. A privately owned small wireless facility as defined in this Subtitle is a minor public utility use or structure. This use does not include telecommunications facilities, monopoles, or towers; or antennas.
The use of and development of public facilities on a public beach for recreational or educational purposes.
As defined in Section 11-239 of the Tax—General Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time, being also a building or group of buildings used to house computer systems, computer storage equipment, and associated infrastructure that businesses or other organizations use to organize, process, store, and disseminate large amounts of data, which may be a co-located or hosting data center where equipment, space and bandwidth are available to lease to multiple customers, or an enterprise data center owned and operated by the company it supports.
For purposes of this Ordinance, an individual who:
A facility consisting of a track used primarily for the spectator-oriented sport of vehicle or animal racing. The facility may include seating, concession areas, related retail sales, and facilities for the temporary storage and preparation of racing vehicles or housing, grooming, and training of animals who are racing at the track.
A structure or area used for holding court games (basketball, tennis, racquetball, squash, etc.). Accessory uses or structures may include a concession stand, netting, exterior lighting fixtures, public bathrooms, maintenance and storage areas, and spectator seating or stands.
A commercial establishment that provides indoor or outdoor facilities for recreation or entertainment-oriented activities by patrons or members. Use types include: amusement arcades, amusement centers, aquatic centers or natatoriums, archery or baseball batting ranges, health clubs, miniature golf courses, recreation courts, skating facilities, swimming pools, and similar uses.
An outdoor facility designed for overnight accommodation of human beings in tents, cabins, and shelters for recreation, education, naturalist, or vacation purposes. Office, retail, and other commercial uses commonly established in such facilities and related parking areas shall be allowed as accessory structures.
An establishment which provides entertainment, recreation, or amusement for profit, (which may include a "video lottery facility" in accordance with Section 27-5102(e)(7)(D), Recreational or Entertainment Establishment of a Commercial Nature with a Video Lottery Facility). This term shall include any indoor recreation facility principally used for rental to the general public for banquets, dances, and other similar events, if the facility is not sanctioned by another special exception or private clubs or lodges. This term shall not include an amusement arcade, health club, nightclub, entertainment establishment, or massage establishment.
Supervised recreation (not operated by a public agency) for children (three (3) to sixteen (16) years of age) during regularly scheduled periods not exceeding two (2) hours daily before school classes begin and four (4) hours daily after the normal school closing time, which is operated in a community-oriented facility, such as a place of worship, service club, school, or civic association building.
A facility where recyclable materials are purchased or accepted from the public, then shipped or distributed to an appropriate facility for processing.
A facility providing for the recycling of metals and alloys that contain little to no iron or steel into bundles or pallets for distribution to manufacturers that will re-use the metal in new products. Smelting or re-casting metals on-site is also permitted.
Any establishment in which a finished product is broken down (excluding biological or chemical decomposition) with the intent of either making a new product or reusing the disassembled parts. Vehicle demolition, salvage, storage operations, electronic recycling facilities, and concrete recycling facilities are not included.
See Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, for the definition.
See Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations, for the definition.
A remand of a “zoning case” back to the Planning Board for the purpose of processing an application over again as if it were a new one.
A facility primarily engaged in basic and applied research and development of experimental study, testing, or analysis of innovative ideas in the natural and medical sciences, engineering, or other technology-intensive fields. Examples include research and development of computer software, information systems, communication and transportation systems, geographic information systems, multimedia and video technology, pharmaceuticals, and disease control.
A private recreational facility for use solely by the residents and guests of a particular residential development, including single-family residential subdivisions, multifamily, townhouse, and mixed-use developments.
An establishment where food and/or beverages are prepared, served, and consumed, and whose principal method of operation includes one or both of the following characteristics: (1) customers are normally provided with an individual menu and served their food and beverages by a restaurant employee at the same table or counter where the items are consumed; or (2) a cafeteria-type operation where food and beverages generally are consumed within the restaurant building. A restaurant may also provide on-site entertainment in the form of live performances or live or recorded music.
An eating or drinking establishment that has any one or more of the following characteristics:
The offering of products associated with a manufacturing, warehouse, or wholesale use for retail sale to the general public on the premises of the manufacturing, warehouse, or wholesale use. An example is an outlet or seconds shop located at a manufacturing plant.
Small-scale retail sales or service uses on the premises of a multifamily development use that offer convenience goods and other goods and services serving the day-to-day needs of residents and guests of the multifamily development. Such uses include, but are not limited to, a beauty salon or barbershop, small eating or drinking establishment, small grocery store or food market, or florist.
A structure designed and constructed to retain (hold back) any material (usually earth) and prevent it from sliding or eroding away. Retaining walls are used when there is a change in ground elevation that exceeds the angle of repose of the soil.
An establishment where horses or ponies are boarded and cared for, where horses may be rented to the general public for riding, and where instruction in riding, jumping, and showing may be offered.
A structure or portion of land used for the discharge of firearms for recreational or training purposes.
See boarding or rooming house.
Activities that do not require a building permit, that are associated with regular (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) or general upkeep of a building, parking lot or parking facility, signage or open space, equipment, machine, plant, or system against normal wear and tear that maintain the asset's functionality and preserve value.
A solid waste management facility that is the final resting place for materials discarded from the construction, renovation, or demolition of a structure that is generally considered to be nonhazardous and not water soluble—including, but not limited to, steel, glass, brick, concrete, asphalt materials, pipe, gypsum wallboard, and lumber. A construction and demolition debris disposal facility may also contain land clearing debris such as rocks, soil, trees, and other vegetative matter. These facilities are subject to State permitting requirements and regulations.
A place where disused vehicles or other machinery is dismantled and the parts saved and processed for resale.
Flagellation or torture by or upon a human who is nude, or clad in undergarments, or in a revealing or bizarre costume, or the condition of one who is nude or so clothed and is being fettered, bound, or otherwise physically restrained.
Accident Potential Zone 1, Accident Potential Zone 2, and the Clear Zone, individually or collectively, as defined within this Subtitle, and illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(4)(C): Accident Potential/Clear Zones North and South.
The process of crushing mined sand or gravel material, screening the materials by size and washing them with the use of water sprays, and stockpiling and dewatering them.
A facility where trash, garbage, construction debris, stumps, limbs, leaves and other solid waste is placed in layers, compacted, and covered with earth or other approved covering material at the end of each day's operation, under a State permit and regulations. This use does not include rubble (construction and demolition debris) landfill or a land clearing debris landfill.
A round or parabolic antenna and its supporting structure for the purposes of sending and/or receiving radio or electromagnetic signals.
An operation or facility established for the purpose of sawing or planing of logs or trees.
A temporary operation or facility established for the purpose of sawing or planing of logs or trees grown and harvested on the site.
A temporary business enterprise that is conducted primarily outdoors and offers for retail sale decorative items that are, by their nature, in particular demand during a relatively short peak season—including, but not limited to, Christmas trees, pumpkins, flowers, and fireworks.
A comprehensive rezoning of one or more properties pursuant to, and intended to implement, the recommendations of an Area Master Plan or Sector Plan. See Section 27-3503, Sectional Map Amendment (SMA).
A comprehensive plan for the physical development of part of one or more planning areas, showing in detail elements such as the type, density, and intensity of land uses; pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic features; public facilities; and the relationship between the various uses to transportation, other public facilities and services, and amenities within the sector plan area, and where appropriate, to other areas. Any reference to an Area Master Plan in this Ordinance shall equally apply to a Sector Plan.
An establishment primarily engaged in the pumping out and other maintenance of septic tanks.
Human masturbation, sexual intercourse, or any touching of or contact with the genitals, pubic areas, or buttocks of the human male or female, or the breasts of the female, whether alone or between members of the same or opposite sex, or between humans and animals.
The condition of human male or female genitals, or the breasts of the female, when in a state of sexual stimulation, or the sensual experiences of humans engaging in or witnessing sexual conduct or nudity.
A licensed and regulated kitchen facility where raw and/or processed food products are used to prepare ready-to-eat foods for sale in wholesale or retail markets or for serving at events. A commercial kitchen is typically a shared facility that is rented by caterers, farmers’ market vendors, food truck operators, or other who prepare ready-to-eat products. Tenants may operate simultaneously or separately. These kitchens may be used as incubation facilities for beginning food entrepreneurs. Shared commercial kitchens shall be licenses, inspected, and permitted by the Prince George’s County Health Department.
A group of four or more nonresidential establishments that primarily consist of retail sales and services establishments and personal service uses, under single or multiple ownership, in one or more buildings, that is planned, constructed, and managed as a single entity, with:
A paved area public right-of-way or easement running parallel to the street for the purposes of pedestrian travel and to facilitate pedestrian access to nearby streets, buildings, and land.
In the Transit-Oriented/Activity Center base and PD zones, the portion of the sidewalk primarily intended for the unobstructed movement of pedestrians, located between the sidewalk planting zone and the building façade.
Any letter, word, numeral, figure, design, projected image, picture, illustration, emblem, symbol, trademark, banner, pennant, or other device, whether illuminated or non-illuminated, which is used to announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise, or otherwise make anything known, including but not limited to realty, products, services, places, activities, persons, institutions, performances, commodities, and business and organizations. Signs do not include the flag or emblem of any nation; county, state, city, religious, fraternal, or civic organization decorations; or works of art which in no way identify a product or business.
The entire area of a sign. See Section 27-2202(h), Sign Measurement.
Illumination of part or all of a sign drawing attention to a sign through an internal or external light source or neon illumination that exhibits changing intensities or colors. Animated illumination includes a sign on which the only copy that changes is the electronic indication of time, temperature, stock market, or similar information. Animated illumination does not include automatic changes in display for digital displays.
Illumination drawing attention to a sign through an internal or external light source or neon illumination that does not change intensities or colors. Static illumination does not include digital displays.
A sign identifying the street number and/or name of the occupant of the property on which the sign is located.
A sign attached parallel to, painted on the wall surface of, or erected on the outside wall, mansard roof structure, other roof structure, or parapet of any building or structure, which is supported by a wall, building, or structure, and which displays only one sign surface.
A sign which is a part of or attached to a canopy (see "canopy").
A sign that is designed to accommodate the frequent changing of message copy (e.g., letters, numerals, graphics), whether through manual means (e.g., changing of attachable characters or graphics), mechanical means (e.g., rotation of sign face or sign panels), or electronic means (e.g., automatic switching of sign face or sign panels or of the message itself). Changeable copy signs include bulletin or reader boards, time and temperature signs, and electronic message signs.
A sign which identifies the architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals or firms directly involved with construction of development, the name of the building or development, the intended purpose of the building or development, and/or the expected completion date.
A sign that provides directional information, such as mileage, route number, or exit number, useful to the driver or traveler in locating the attraction or activity. A directional sign may not contain descriptive words or phrases or pictorial or photographic representations of the activity or its environs.
A one-sided sign displayed outside a business by placement on a three- or four-legged easel-type supporting structure.
A sign that changes its message copy by means of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs, or other illumination devices within the display area.
A sign which is permanently affixed in or upon the ground and not attached to any building structure.
A freestanding sign located at the entrance to the site of a residential subdivision, business or professional offices, or a shopping center, that identifies the subdivision, offices, or shopping center.
A sign that is illuminated by electric or other device mainly for clear visibility at night
A freestanding sign constructed with a monument base with the monument base flush to the ground.
A sign that complied with the requirements of this Ordinance when it was erected, but does not currently comply with the standards of this Ordinance.
A sign (including painted bulletin, poster panel, and digital billboard) which directs attention to a business, profession, commodity, service, the sale or rental of real estate, entertainment, event, or other activity conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the property on which the sign is located. A painted bulletin is an outdoor advertising sign having an area greater than 300 square feet. A poster panel is an outdoor advertising sign which generally has panels of poster paper attached to it, and an area not greater than 300 square feet. A digital billboard is an outdoor advertising sign utilizing a digital display.
A sign attracting attention to political candidates or political topics.
Any sign that rests upon the ground, a structure, frame, building, or other surface, that can be moved around; such signs include but are not limited to the following: trailer signs, sandwich board signs, and sidewalk or curb signs.
A sign attached to and projecting out from a building face or wall, generally at a right angle to the building.
Any on-premise sign pertaining to the sale, rental, development, or lease of a lot or parcel of land, one or more structures, or a portion thereof, to which the sign is located.
A sign directing people to a lot or parcel of land, one or more structures, or a portion thereof, available for sale, rental, development, or lease.
A movable ground sign, not secured or attached to the surface or ground upon which it is located, that is constructed in such a manner as to form an "A" or tent-like shape.
A sign that can be used only for a designated period of time.
A sign indicating Federal, State, County, or Municipal regulations for automobile, truck, bicycle, and pedestrian movement.
A sign that is attached to, or painted on, a window so that it can be read from outdoors.
The external elements between and around structures that give shape to patterns of activity, circulation, and form. Site design includes landforms, driveways, parking areas, roads, sidewalks, trails, paths, plantings, walls or fences, water features, recreation areas and facilities, lighting, public art, or other external elements but not including signs.
An indoor or outdoor facility, the use of which is primarily devoted to ice skating or roller skating. The facility may also be used as a site for competitive events and as a practice and training facility. Accessory uses may include meeting rooms, training rooms, videotape rooms, a restaurant, a pro shop, a snack bar, and outdoor training fields.
An establishment where animals are killed and prepared for food.
An establishment primarily engaged in the maintenance and repair of small engines—i.e., low-power internal combustion engines (gasoline/petrol) or electric engines. Equipment repaired includes, but is not limited to, chainsaws, string trimmers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, lawn mowers, wood chippers, and go-karts.
A facility that meets the definition of Small Wireless Facility in Subtitle 5A, Division 2 and complies with the Design Manual for Small Wireless Facilities.
A facility consisting of solar panels, modules, and related equipment (e.g., heat exchanger, pipes, inverter, wiring, storage) that collects solar radiation and transfers it as heat to a carrier fluid for use in water heating or space heating and cooling, and/or that collects solar energy and converts it into electricity. Large-scale solar energy systems generate in excess of 100 kilowatts of energy. As a principal use, a solar energy collection system is designed to meet demands for a large area and is typically mounted on the ground.
A facility consisting of solar panels, modules, and related equipment (e.g., heat exchanger, pipes, inverter, wiring, storage) that collects solar radiation and transfers it as heat to a carrier fluid for use in water heating or space heating and cooling, and/or that collects solar energy and converts it into electricity. Small-scale solar energy systems generate a maximum of 100 kilowatts of energy. As an accessory use, a solar energy collection system is designed to primarily meet on-site demands (but may include transfer of excess electricity to an electric utility grid) and components are typically mounted on the roof(s) of principal or accessory structures, but may be mounted on other parts of structures, or on the ground.
A facility at which solid waste is sorted, reduced, compressed, shredded, or compacted for purposes of volume reduction or preparation for burning or land-filling.
A place or facility where solid wastes are taken from a transportation unit or collection vehicle and placed in another transportation unit or collection vehicle for transport to a solid waste acceptance facility. The movement or consolidation of solid waste at the point of generation is not a solid waste transfer station
An above- or below-ground structure (together with all associated appurtenances) that is filled with water and used for immersion and soaking of the human body for relaxation or recreation.
A building or land where horses or ponies are, sheltered, fed, or kept for personal use, accessory to a single-family detached dwelling.
A portion of the vehicular use area on a site that is dedicated to the temporary storage or "standing" of vehicles engaged in drive-through use of the site or development. Parking or storage of vehicles is not permitted within the stacking/standing area.
An outpatient medical clinic licensed by the State of Maryland as a detoxification facility or a substance abuse treatment program under Title 8, Subtitle 4 of the Health-General Article. The term does not include a medical clinic located on property owned or leased by the County or the State, or an Early Intervention Level 0.5 Program as described in COMAR 10.47.02.03.
A facility primarily engaged in the storage of manufactured products, supplies, and equipment, excluding bulk storage of materials that are flammable or explosive or that present hazards or conditions commonly recognized as offensive.
A street is any of the following:
A line separating the street from abutting property. For the purpose of this definition a street is whichever of the following two groups of vehicular ways indicates the greatest right-of-way width:
Anything constructed or built.
The vertical distance between a point on the ground at the middle of the base of the "structure" to the top of the "structure."
See Section 24-2300, Definitions, of Subtitle 24: Subdivision Regulations.
The extraction of natural materials or deposits from the earth (such as sand, gravel, clay, rock, stone, earth, or topsoil).
A man-made enclosure at least three feet deep at the deep end that is filled with water and used for wading or swimming, and that is operated for profit.
A man-made enclosure at least three feet deep at the deep end that is filled with water and used for wading or swimming, and that is accessory to a commercial use.
A man-made enclosure at least three feet deep at the deep end that is filled with water and used for wading or swimming, and that is:
An establishment primarily engaged in the sale, servicing, and/or repair of swimming pools.
A facility for storage of tanks which in total contain more than one million gallons of petrochemical or other hazardous material products.
A facility specializing in cosmetic tanning using ultraviolet lights or chemical spraying.
An establishment wherein designs, letters, figures, body piercing, or other marks are placed upon the skin of any person, using ink or other substances that result in the permanent coloration or piercing of the skin by means of use of needles or other instruments designed to contact or puncture the skin.
A service that offers transportation in passenger automobiles, vans, shuttles, or pedicabs to persons, including persons with disabilities, in return for remuneration. The business may include facilities for servicing, repairing, and fueling the taxicabs or limousines.
An establishment engaged in the art of preparing and preserving the skins of animals and stuffing and mounting them in lifelike form.
An establishment primarily engaged in answering telephone calls and relaying messages to clients or in initiating or receiving communications for telemarketing purposes, such as promoting clients’ products or services, taking orders for clients, or soliciting contributions or providing information for clients.
A manufactured structure not permanently attached to the ground, used on a temporary basis in conjunction with a permanent school structure to provide educational classroom facilities for schools.
A transportable unit designed and used primarily for temporary storage of building materials, household goods, personal items, and other materials for use on a limited basis.
A dwelling, dwelling unit, or other marketable unit of a new development that is used for real estate sales or leasing activities associated with the development pending construction of the development and the initial sales of dwellings or units in the development.
A facility or site used for the temporary collection and storage of recyclable materials.
A retail sales and service establishment’s temporary use of a tent or trailer for promotional displays or sales, seasonal activities, income tax consultant's offices, carload sales of products, sidewalk sales, and demonstration of products in a parking lot.
A retail store where the primary use is the retail sale of tobacco products, tobacco smoking accessories, any device or paraphernalia that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substances, including cannabis, to the person inhaling from the device, or any cartridge, component, or accessory of the device, and which may include on site consumption in accordance with Section 19-131 of the County Code and the incidental sale of food or beverage provided the gross floor area of the food or beverage area does not exceed 49 percent of the gross floor area. Any "convenience store" or "gas station" which provides more than thirty-two (32) square feet or five percent (5%) of the gross floor area of the use for tobacco products or cannabis-use products shall also be considered a tobacco shop, electronic cigarette shop, or retail tobacco business.
A use accessory to a dwelling or building containing not move than nine (9) guest rooms where (for compensation) lodging or meals are provided for transient guests. For purposes of this Subtitle, a tourist home is not a home occupation, bed-and-breakfast inn, hotel, private dormitory, or fraternity or sorority house.
A wireless communication or radio guyed tower (vertical towers anchored by guy wires), lattice tower (vertical self-supporting towers, not guyed, with three or more sides consisting of open-frame supports), single pole or rod or whose sole or primary purpose is to support and elevate above the ground wireless telecommunications antennas and associated equipment and network components attached or mounted on the tower, and including any ground-based accessory structures used to house associated equipment.
The temporary placement and use of a manufactured home dwelling or recreational vehicle to house a person employed by or otherwise associated with a principal use of the same lot for which the County levies an amusement tax.
Any structure or transit facility that is primarily used as part of a transit system for the purpose of loading, unloading, or transferring of passengers or accommodating the movement of passengers from one mode of transportation to another.
Within the Military Installation Overlay (MIO) Zone, an imaginary surface that connects the primary surfaces, the clear zone surfaces, and the approach/departure clearance surfaces to the inner horizontal surface, conical surface, or other transitional surfaces. The slope of the transitional surface is 7 to 1 outward and upward at right angles to the runway centerline, illustrated in Figure 27-4402(c)(5)(B): Height, as "G."
The application of strategies and policies to reduce travel demand of single-occupancy private vehicles, or to redistribute this demand in space or in time.
An establishment primarily engaged in providing travel arrangement and reservation services to the general public and commercial clients.
The land area under the dripline of an existing tree or group of trees or the amount of credit provided for planting trees of a certain species and certain size at time of planting in conformance with the worksheet provided in The Woodland and Wildlife Conservation Technical Manual.
The combined area measured in square feet of the tree canopies of existing trees and trees planted in conformance with Subtitle 25, Division 3 and The Woodland and Wildlife Conservation Technical Manual. Tree canopy coverage requirements are measured using a percentage of the gross tract area.
A site map that delineates woodland conservation areas and associated text that details the requirements, penalties, and/or mitigation in conformance with Subtitle 25, Division 2, and the Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Technical Manual.
“Urban agriculture” is the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants, as well as the limited keeping and raising of fowl or bees and similar activities in the urban environment or near residential, commercial, or industrial lands. Urban agriculture includes processing on the site of the farm where the agricultural product is grown or raised in the course of preparing the product for on-site sale, which may cause a change in the natural form or state of the product. This use also includes composting, agricultural education, and incidental sales. Urban agriculture production can occur indoors or outdoors, which may include, but is not limited to the following production methods: in-ground farming, raised-bed farming, hydroponics, controlled environment agriculture, rooftop farming, aquaponics, or edible landscaping. Common accessory structures may include, but are not limited to tool sheds, high tunnerls, fencing, composting structures, and water cisterns. The term “urban agriculture” shall not include the keeping of roosters, commercial feeding of garbage or offal to animals, the slaughtering of livestock for marketing, or the disposal of sludge except for the fertilization of crops, horticultural products, or floicultural products in connection with an active agricultural operation or home gardening.
The "use" of a "building," "structure," or land which:
A Use is either:
An easement which grants the right to install and maintain utilities including, but not limited to, water lines, sewer lines, storm sewer lines, electrical power lines, telephone lines, natural gas lines, and community antenna television systems.
See Section 27-3613, Variance.
The display for rental purposes of motor vehicles (except dump trucks), trailers, boats, camping trailers, or other vehicles.
Storage of parking tow-aways, impound yards, and storage lots for automobiles, trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles. "vehicle storage" includes only the storage of operable vehicles.
Uses where the primary function is to apply paint to the exterior or interior surfaces of vehicles by spraying, dipping, flow-coating, or other similar means.
A facility where the primary “use” is the retail sale of vehicle parts, products, tires, or accessories.
A facility where the business of general vehicle repair and service is conducted, not including vehicle salvaging or the storage of dismantled vehicles, wrecks, or junk.
Uses that provide for the sale or rental of large trucks, mass transit vehicles, large construction or agricultural equipment, or other similar vehicles. Includes vehicle and trailer rental display as accessory to vehicle rental operations.
Uses that provide for the storage and display for sale of any vehicle, which may also include the rental of vehicles. This use does not include commercial vehicles. Vehicle and trailer rental display is permitted as accessory to vehicle rental operations.
A facility for the reclamation or storage of wrecked or abandoned vehicles or parts from vehicles, "trailers," or "mobile homes," which may include the sale of the parts.
An establishment operated for the purpose of towing vehicles from one location to another and which may include temporary storage on-site of wrecked or inoperable motor vehicles. If an establishment regularly stores inoperable vehicles for more than 90 days, stacks vehicles, or portions of the vehicles are dismantled or removed for sale, it is considered a junkyard or vehicle salvage yard.
A facility used for the care, diagnosis, and treatment of sick, ailing, infirm, or injured animals and preventive care for healthy animals. Accessory uses may include animal grooming services, short-term boarding that is incidental to medical care or treatment, and limited retail sales of pet-related merchandise.
As set forth in Sections 9-1A-01(aa), 9-1A-01(w-2), and 9-1A-04(a)(11), State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, a facility at which players play video lottery terminals and/or table games. A "video lottery facility" shall only be permitted in accordance with an approved site plan in accordance with Section 27-5102(e)(7)(D), Recreational or Entertainment Establishment of a Commercial Nature with a Video Lottery Facility.
As set forth in Sections 9-1A-01(bb) and 9-1A-04(a)(11), State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, a license awarded by the Video Lottery Facility Location Commission and issued by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to a person that allows players to operate video lottery terminals and/or table games.
As set forth in Section 9-1A-01(cc), State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, a person licensed to operate a video lottery facility.
As set forth in Section 9-1A-01(dd), State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, video lottery terminal means:
A private school offering vocational or trade instruction—such as teaching of trade or industrial skills, clerical or data processing, barbering or hair dressing, computer or electronic technology, or artistic skills—to students and that operates in buildings or structures or on premises on land leased or owned by the educational institution for administrative purposes and meets the State requirements for a vocational training facility. Such uses include classrooms, laboratories, auditoriums, libraries, cafeterias, and other facilities that further the educational mission of the institution.
An establishment that combines office and showroom uses with warehouse uses for the primary purpose of wholesale trade, display, and distribution of products.
A research facility located at or near the shoreline in order to function.
A contiguous land assemblage fronting on the Potomac River and developed with an array of commercial, lodging, residential, recreational, entertainment, social, cultural, or similar uses which are interrelated by one or more themes.
The sale and dispensing of fuel directly to boats from a waterfront lot.
A temporary structure used for the sale of agricultural or other products produced on the premises or produce or cut flowers not grown on the premises.
A facility consisting of one or more rotating wind turbines and related equipment that converts the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy. A large-scale wind energy conversion system has a rated capacity exceeding 100 kilowatts (kW).
A facility consisting of one or more rotating wind turbines and related equipment that converts the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy. A small-scale wind energy conversion system has a rated capacity of not more than 100 kilowatts (kW) and is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power for a home or business.
Open space located on the same lot with a structure (not including ground-level paved surfaces unless specifically noted), or use, between the structure or use (such as outdoor storage) and the nearest lot line or street line. All required yards shall be unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except for landscaping, and accessory structures and uses as permitted elsewhere in this Ordinance. An alley shall not be considered a part of a yard.
Yard extending across the width of a lot, between the front street line and the nearest part of a main building (or its enclosed or covered projection). In a through lot, all yards abutting streets are front yards.
Yard extending across the width of a lot, between the rear lot line and the nearest part of a principal building (or its enclosed or covered projection). A through lot has no rear yard.
Yard between the side lot line or side street line and the nearest part of a principal building (or its enclosed or covered projection), extending from the front yard to the rear yard or, in the absence of either of these yards, to the front street line and rear lot line. In the absence of a front street line, all yards are side yards. On a through lot, any yard that does not abut a street is a side yard.
Any Zoning Ordinance matter designated to be heard before the Zoning Hearing Examiner by this Subtitle.
A mechanism intended to provide landowners with written documentation of compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance. See Section 27-3609, Zoning Certification
See Section 27-3304, Zoning Hearing Examiner (ZHE).
The “Zoning Map of the Maryland-Washington Regional District in Prince George’s County, Maryland,” dated November 29, 1949, as subsequently amended, from time to time.
A piecemeal rezoning of one or more properties upon the request of the property owner or other applicant. See Section 27-3601, Zoning Map Amendment (ZMA)