Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
301-636-2050 (building permits); 301-755-9000 (inspection IVR)
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 301-636-2050 (building permits); 301-755-9000 (inspection IVR).
N/A - DPIE publishes a process guide and requires plan screening for many projects, but no single current standard review time applies to all permit types. A building application is abandoned if a permit is not issued within one year unless it is diligently pursued or otherwise extended.
Schedule inspections online through the Momentum system where available or call the automated IVR at 301-755-9000 Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Have the contact phone number, permit case number, request code, and desired date ready; keep the confirmation number for the inspection. Commercial projects may be assigned to the Third-Party Inspection Program, and municipal inspection responsibilities vary by project and municipality.
For applications filed on or after March 1, 2026, DPIE lists the 2021 International Building Code and 2021 International Existing Building Code with Prince George's County Subtitle 4 amendments; 2021 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and 2021 NFPA 1 Fire Code with Subtitle 11 and Maryland State Fire Prevention Code requirements; 2019 NFPA 13/13D/13R sprinkler standards; and 2019 NFPA 72 fire-alarm standards. County and Maryland electrical, mechanical, energy, accessibility, grading, stormwater, and site/road codes also apply by project type. The county identifies as exempt from a building permit: one detached, non-habitable accessory structure under 150 square feet on a one- or two-family dwelling property, limited to one per lot; paving under 500 square feet except parking surfaces; retaining walls no higher than 2 feet unless supporting a structure; fences no higher than 4 feet; exterior siding, roof-shingle replacement without structural repair, painting, carpeting/flooring, kitchen or bathroom counters, cabinets, exact window/door replacement without structural alteration, and similar minor work. Separate electrical, mechanical, plumbing, grading, or municipal requirements may still apply.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.