Permits Notices & Alerts

ePlan and Momentum Will Be Offline for Upgrades March 19–24, 2025

ePlan will be offline for system upgrades and enhancements beginning Wednesday, March 19th, at 5:00 p.m. through Monday, March 24th.  

Momentum will be offline for two hours Wednesday evening, March 19th, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday, March 22nd and March 23rd.

During the ePlan upgrade, DPIE will continue all processes:  licensing, enforcement, inspections, and trade permit processing. Thank you in advance for your patience.

 

ePermits: Changes to process effective June 15, 2024

Effective July 15, 2024, all building, site development (excluding cell tower/special utility), fire system and trade permits (electrical/mechanical) must be obtained via the Prince George’s County Momentum (online) permit system.  If a permit obtained in Epermits prior to July 15, 2024 has expired and has no inspections then applicants are required to submit a new application in Momentum. Requests for application extensions and permit renewals will continue to be processed in the original permit system (Epermits or Momentum).  Well and septic permits are still applied and issued in Epermits.

Important Message

DPIE is experiencing lengthy delays in permit application and building plan reviews for several reasons: higher than normal application submittals, staff shortages due to retirement, staff resignations and other factors.  To address these delays, DPIE is utilizing overtime, employing contract plan reviewers and providing residential templates for deck design to reduce review times. DPIE is also providing outreach community information sessions to walk residents through processes.
 

DPIE Connect — Mini Preliminary Design Review Meeting

Effective May 1, 2022, DPIE is encouraging small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to participate in our new DPIE Connect program. DPIE Connect will bring agency experts together with entrepreneurs aspiring to open businesses in one-hour mini preliminary design review meetings (PDRM). Staff from DPIE’s Permitting and Licensing Division, Building Plan Review Division, Inspections Division, and Business Development Section (BDS) will participate. Topics of discussion include application requirements, permits, licenses, inspections, fees, and plan review code-related questions covering building/structural, electrical, mechanical, fire & life safety, health and ADA accessibility. The scope of projects applicable for DPIE connect include:

1. Projects requesting straight U&O — no construction;
2. Projects with change of occupancy — no construction;
3. Projects with interior alterations not exceeding 2,000 sq. ft. in area; or
4. Projects not more than 1 story in height.

For more information, visit the DPIE Connect web page.
 

In an Effort to Reduce Paper and Increase Efficiencies, DPIE No Longer Requires Paper Copies Delivered with Wet Seals/Signatures to DPIE; All Approved Permit Plans Are Still Required at the Construction Site at All Times

1. Final Permit Plan Submission Requirements:
   Effective, May 1, 2022, DPIE will no longer require paper copies of final approved permit plans, calculations and design reports delivered to DPIE with wet seals/signatures. The applicant is still required to upload signed and sealed drawings, calculations and design reports at the time of plan submission for every drawing sheet and on the cover page for all calculations and design reports.
2. Permit Plans at Project Site:
   Pursuant to the Prince George’s County Code adopting the International Building and Residential Code, a (24" x 36") full-size copy of the final set of approved signed/sealed permit plans, in color, must be at the construction site for inspection at all times and available upon request by the Building Code Official. The final approved set of permit plans on the construction site shall always display a red DPIE approval stamp and design professional signatures and seals. Copies of the final approved set of permit plans can be downloaded by the applicant of record from the approved permit set folder in ePlan. Failure to have the approved permit plans on site will result in the cancellation of an inspection and the re-inspection fee will be assessed. Applicants are still required to maintain copies of the approved plans. 
3. Green Stamp Erosion/Sediment Control Plans Approved by the Prince George’s County Soil Conservation District:
   Prior to issuance of site/road permits, the applicant shall deliver one set of green stamp final erosion/sediment control plans to DPIE. The permittee shall also keep a copy of the original green stamp final erosion/sediment control plan on the construction site at all times, along with all other site/road permit plans. If you have questions regarding green stamp erosion/sediment control plans, contact the Prince George’s Soil Conservation District at 301-574-5162 ext. 3 or visit www.pgscd.org.
    

NOTICE:  Change in Photovoltaic (Solar Panel) Fees

Effective May 1, 2022 — With constant innovation in Photovoltaic (PV) technology, solar products continue to be readily available to customers at competitive pricing. This has also impacted the cost of construction/installation. Currently, Prince George’s County permit fees for Photovoltaic (solar panel) are based on Cost of Construction, as calculated based on the formula indicated below:

• Residential PV system:  $5.00 per watt
• Commercial PV systems on roof (100 kW-2 MW):  $3.00 per watt
• Commercial Utility-scaled PV systems on ground (5 MW-100 MW):  $2.00 per watt

Considering data from National Renewable Energy Laboratory of U.S. Department of Energy on Q1 2020, effective May 1, 2022, Prince Georges County Government, Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) will be using the following formula to calculate the cost of construction, based on which permit fees will be assessed.

• Residential PV system: $3.00 per watt
• Commercial PV systems (100 kW-2 MW):  $2.00 per watt
• Utility-scaled PV systems (5 MW-100 MW):  $1.50 per watt

For questions, contact Nabeel Waseem, Building Plan Review Division Chief at NWWaseem@co.pg.md.us.
 

Building Permit Fee Multiplier Adjustment

Effective April 1, 2022, the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement will change the building permit fee multiplier used for new building construction and additions.

The new formula will be calculated by using the Building Valuation Data (BVD) issued by the International Code Council dated February 2022. The International Code Council updates the BVD table bi-annually; however, Prince George’s County will update the fee multiplier annually.

The BVD table provides the “average” construction costs per square foot, when calculating permit fees for new construction and additions within a jurisdiction. The 2018 International Building Code gives instructions concerning permit fee schedules in Section 109.2 and building permit valuations in Section 109.3.  Permit applications submitted prior to the effective date will be calculated by the appropriate BVD.

For additional information or questions regarding this Notice, please call 301-636-2070.
 

Changes in Electrical Licenses

Effective July 1, 2021, Prince George's County will no longer issue for Master Electricians, Journeyman Electricians, Apprentice Electricians and Electrical Contractors. Read More Here.
 

MHIC Procedure

Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license holders are required to follow the procedure indicated below:

• Submit a letter on company letterhead from the MHIC licensed contractor indicating:  MHIC license number; date of letter; MHIC licensed contractor’s name and signature; and list of person(s) authorized to obtain permits with their license.  

• The identification of each contractor and their designee will be verified to ensure validity of license and authorization by the MHIC licensed contractor.

•  The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) has specific requirements for the form and content of every home improvement contract provided by the MHIC licensed contractor. Be sure you are familiar with those requirements before signing any home improvement contract. Home Improvement contractors must be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). For any questions pertaining to contract contents, what constitutes a home improvement, or the professional standing of a specific home improvement contractor, contact the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) at (410) 230–6309 or visit their web site at www.dllr.state.md.us.

Should you have any questions regarding this notice, please call 301-636-2050.