What is the difference between a Use and Occupancy Permit (U&O) and a building permit?
A U&O indicates the business identified meets local zoning and safety requirements and may legally operate at that location. A building permit is the authorization that allows construction to occur.
Related questions
Business Development Section (Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement)
You will need a permit if you plan to make any structural changes to the building or intend to change the use of the building. In order to occupy the business location, you will need to file for a U&O.
Once your plans have been screened and accepted, you will get an invitation to upload your documents. Your plans are then distributed for review to different disciplines depending on your case type. During the review period, the applicant may log into ePlan to review the status of the permit. This ePlan training video explains the most helpful tools in the ePlan application system.
The permit fee schedule is listed on the DPIE website at the following link. It includes information regarding exempt fees and fees by building type, project and trade.
There are two ways to schedule an inspection: online at the following link or by calling the County's Interactive Voice Response system (IVR) at 301-755-9000.
A job card is a document that is a part of the U&O application process. It allows you to call for an inspection. A permit is the actual document that states the work you are performing is allowed per the regulatory requirements. You should not start work until an actual permit is issued.
DPIE’s Peer Review Program, a third-party plan review program, allows owners and applicants to select DPIE certified peer reviewers at their own cost to expedite the plan review process, instead of County staff. Using peer reviewers can reduce the plan review and approval time by up to 50 percent. Peer reviewers may be retained for various types of building and site development projects. See the Third-Party Plan Review Program Manual for Buildings for additional information.
Prince George’s County mandates a Third-Party Plan Review Program for the review and approval of building plans and documents through DPIE. The program requires owners and applicants to select a DPIE authorized Third-Party Plan Review Agency (TPPRA) at their own expense to review and approve drawings of building projects in lieu of County staff. Third-party inspection may expedite your plan review and approval by up to 75 percent.
The typical review time is 4-6 weeks. Any subsequent reviews will take 2-3 weeks.
Zoning is the municipal/local laws or regulations that dictate how property can and cannot be used. Zoning is reviewed as part of the permitting process to ensure the applicant may use the property as intended.