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1. How do I find the zoning classification of my property?

You can use PGAtlas to search your property and turn on the Zoning layer to determine the zoning classification. 

For more information, please email PPD-InfoCounter@ppd.mncppc.org or call 240-302-3460 or 240-302-9464.

2. As a county resident, how can I participate in the development review process to ensure the protection of my home and community?

As a resident, you can become a Person/Party of Record for a specific project, which provides you with notice of upcoming meetings, actions, and decisions rendered at certain stages of the zoning application process, and relevant appeals procedures. 

As a community association, you can register your association to receive informational mailings on new development projects in your community, which provides your community an opportunity to participate early in the development review process.

You can view upcoming Planning Board meeting agendas and sign up to speak or submit comments. 

You can follow the Planning Department on Twitter and Facebook to stay up-to-date. 

You can contact the resident planner assigned to your area of the county at the Community Planning Office or call 240-524-8413 to obtain information about ongoing planning projects and development activities. 

For more information, please email PPD-InfoCounter@ppd.mncppc.org or call 240-302-3460 or 240-302-9464.

3. What can I do on my property?

The Zoning Ordinance designates the permitted uses and the requirements for development of a property. First, confirm the zoning classification with the Planning Information Services Section (email PPD-InfoCounter@ppd.mncppc.org or call 240-302-3460 or 240-302-9464). Then, consult the permitted uses per the Zoning Ordinance Table of Uses. The Zoning Ordinance also establishes certain minimum yard sizes (setbacks), height limitations, maximum percentage of lot coverage, off-street parking, green area, landscaping, and various other requirements.

For more information, please email PPD-InfoCounter@ppd.mncppc.org or call 240-302-3460 or 240-302-9464.

4. I have a large parcel of land. Can it be subdivided into smaller lots?

Individual parcels of land may be subdivided if the new lots meet the requirements of the zone within which they are categorized. Each zone requires a certain minimum lot size, street frontage, and building line (yard/setback) requirement, as designated by the Zoning Ordinance. If these zoning requirements (along with those of the Subdivision Regulations) can be satisfied, new lots may be created through the subdivision process.

For more information, please email PPD-InfoCounter@ppd.mncppc.org or call 240-302-3460 or 240-302-9464.

5. My lot has no frontage on a public street. Is there any way I can build on it?

Under certain circumstances, subdivision plats may be approved for development served by private streets or the Department of Public Works and Transportation may authorize permit issuance for one-family detached dwellings, only, on lots served solely by private rights-of-way or easements. In all other instances, the County Executive must recommend and the County Council (by resolution) must approve authorization for the issuance of a building permit on a lot served only by a private right-of-way or easement. The County Permit Office of the Department of Environmental Resources 301-952-4828 should be contacted for further information on the procedure for seeking such authorization.

6. Is there a floodplain on my property?

A 100-year floodplain is the area that has a one percent chance of being flooded in an amount equal to or greater than its average in any given year. The Environmental Planning Section has copies of Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] maps and some individual watershed studies that depict the approximate location of the 100-year floodplain. The official source for floodplain information is the Prince George's County Department of Environmental Resources, they can be reached at 301-883-5777.