TRANSLATION: To translate this newsletter into different languages, right click anywhere in the text of an article and click the green arrow. It will ask if you want to proceed. Click "yes."
TRANSLACION: Para traducir este boletín a diferentes idiomas, haga clic con el botón derecho en cualquier parte del texto de un artículo y haga clic en la flecha verde. Le preguntará si desea continuar. Haga clic en "sí."
Happy New Year!
We hope your holidays were happy and that, like us, you are looking forward to positive changes in 2021. DPIE’s headquarters in Largo remains closed to the public due to social distancing mandates, but we are continuing to expand our online services to provide you with information and assistance. We are using enhanced technology to streamline our processes for better transparency, efficiency and ease of use for customers and to create a more seamless virtual experience.
Changes have been made in our Administrative Hearing Unit process to expedite adjudication of property maintenance violations. Our Building Code has been updated. Recently passed legislation has also strengthened our ability to enforce requirements for the County’s Short-Term Rental Program.
We look forward to working with you in 2021!
|
 DPIE is one of the agencies at the forefront of keeping Prince George’s County beautiful by enforcing property maintenance standards at residential, commercial and industrial properties.
DPIE’s focus on property maintenance aligns with the Beautification Initiative established by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. The initiative brings together residents, the business community and visitors to decrease litter and increase individual responsibility in the anti-litter and County beautification efforts.
Property maintenance requirements were established to ensure that owners, managers and tenants keep residences, commercial and industrial buildings and grounds in good repair:
• Buildings must be in sound structural condition.
• Grounds must be well kept — grass must be cut, weeds pulled, trees and other vegetation trimmed.
• Properties must be kept free of trash and debris, including old vehicles, construction materials, discarded appliances, etc.
• Vehicles must be appropriately parked on paved surfaces.
• Parking lots at industrial and commercial properties must be well maintained and kept free of trash and debris.
“Keeping up communities by enforcing the County code is one of the most important things we do at DPIE,” said Enforcement Division Associate Director Val Cary. “The code provides a guide for residents and our business partners to keep neighborhoods clean and maintained.”
DPIE inspections of residential, commercial and industrial properties are conducted on an ongoing basis by inspectors working in assigned areas and as a result of complaints to 311. Failing to maintain property standards will result in a violation and possible fine. The County may abate violations and assess noncomplying property owners for the cost of repairs.
DPIE staffers also work to educate members of the public about County property maintenance standards by providing information on the agency’s website and speaking to homeowners and citizens' groups.
Report suspected code violations to 311, which will route the complaints to DPIE.
For additional information, visit the DPIE website. To schedule a DPIE staffer to address your group about property maintenance standards or other issues related to the agency, call 301-636-2053.
The Building Code of Prince George’s County has been updated to conform to the 2018 editions of the International Building Code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Energy Conservation Code and the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings in connection with County Subtitle 4. The changes become effective as of January 11, 2021. There will be a transition period of six months from the date of adoption for the requirements to become mandatory. All single family and town house plans-on-file (PDF) submitted on or after July 2021 will be required to comply with the new regulations.
For additional information, contact the Building Plan Review Division at 301-636-2070.
|
To view details of the legislation that relates to DPIE — or other matters — visit the full text of actions by the County Council at the Legislative/Zoning Information System (LZIS). Enter the bill #, resolution # or subject matter into the search bar on the left, following the format example: CB-007-2020, select the year, then select the agenda item type (Council Bill or Resolution).
 The following bills related to DPIE were passed by the County Council in 2020:
• CB 007 – AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING MARKET HALLS for the purpose of defining Market Halls in the Zoning Ordinance.
• CB 016 – AN EMERGENCY ACT CONCERNING LANDLORD–TENANT CODE — PROHIBITION OF RENT INCREASES, RENTAL TERMINATIONS AND LATE FEES DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
• CB 017 – AN ACT CONCERNING TELEVISION AND RADIO EQUIPMENT REPAIR for the purpose of repealing provisions of the County Code pertaining to the Television and Radio Equipment repair license requirements.
• CB 018 – AN ACT CONCERNING “GOING OUT OF BUSINESS” SALES for the purpose of repealing Division 3 of Subtitle 14 of the Prince George’s County Code.
• CB 019 – AN ACT CONCERNING WEAPONS for the purpose of repealing and reenacting with amendments the requirement that a person obtain a written permit from DPIE.
• CB 020 – (SUBDIVISION BILL) AN ACT CONCERNING SUBDIVISIONS — REQUIREMENTS — ADEQUATE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES — WAIVERS.
• CB 027 – AN ACT CONCERNING ILLEGAL DUMPING OF BULKY ITEMS FOR the purpose of amending provisions of the County Code regarding illegal dumping on private and public property.
• CB 035 – AN ACT CONCERNING UNPERMITTED CONSTRUCTION for the purpose of authorizing the administrative adjudication of matters involving violations of the Building Code and by updating the organization of the Building Code as adopted by Prince George’s County.
• CB 037 – AN ACT CONCERNING SHORT-TERM RENTALS for the purpose of modifying the provisions for licensing short-term rentals and modifying the adjudication process for violations of those regulations.
• CB 056 – AN ACT CONCERNING THE BUILDING CODE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY for the purpose of updating the provisions of the Building Code of Prince George’s County (the “County”) to conform to the 2018 editions of the International Building Code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Energy Conservation Code and the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.
• CB 059 – AN ACT CONCERNING SHORT-TERM RENTALS for the purpose of modifying the provisions for platform short-term rental licensing in the County and clarifying the adjudication process for violations.
• CB 070 – AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING FOOD HALLS for the purpose of defining Food Halls in the Zoning Ordinance, etc.
• CB 078 – AN ACT CONCERNING LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF A RENT INCREASE THAT MAY BE ASSESSED AFTER THE ADOPTION OF CB-16-2020 DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
• CB 080 – AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING R-R (RURAL RESIDENTIAL) ZONE for the purpose of permitting contractor’s office in the R-R (Rural Residential) Zone under certain circumstances.
• CB 081 – AN ACT CONCERNING PROPERTY STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT ON NONRESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY for the purpose of increasing the authority of the Administrative Hearing Unit of DPIE to enforce property standards and maintenance violations on nonresidential property.
 The following resolutions related to DPIE were passed by the County Council in 2020:
• CR 043 – A RESOLUTION CONCERNING PUBLIC SAFETY SURCHARGE for the purpose of adjusting the public safety surcharge for Fiscal Year 2021, beginning July 1, 2020, as required by State law.
• CR 044 – A RESOLUTION CONCERNING SCHOOL FACILITIES SURCHARGE for the purpose of adjusting the school facilities surcharge for Fiscal Year 2021, beginning July 1, 2020, as required by State law.
• CR 045 – A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE 2018 WATER AND SEWER PLAN (MARCH 2020 CYCLE OF AMENDMENTS).
• CR 048 – A RESOLUTION CONCERNING EATING AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS — ZONING REGULATIONS — OUTDOOR SEATING — TEMPORARY AUTHORIZATION.
• CR 049 – A RESOLUTION CONCERNING TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES — OUTDOOR DINING.
• CR 060 – A RESOLUTION CONCERNING LANDLORD–TENANT CODE — PROHIBITION OF RENT INCREASES, RENTAL TERMINATIONS AND LATE FEES DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
• CR 067 – A RESOLUTION CONCERNING SCHOOL FACILITIES SURCHARGE exemption of the school facilities surcharge for all residential units used for undergraduate student housing within the Northgate Project.
• CR 085 – A RESOLUTION CONCERNING PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES SURCHARGE partial waiver of the public safety facilities surcharge for all residential units of the mixed-use Atworth Project.
• CR 087 – A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE 2018 WATER AND SEWER PLAN (JUNE 2020 CYCLE OF AMENDMENTS).
• CR 098 – A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE 2018 WATER AND SEWER PLAN (SEPTEMBER 2020 CYCLE OF AMENDMENTS).
DPIE, the Department of the Environment (DoE) and the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) frequently work cooperatively. The following chart defines the responsibilities for each:
 Director: Melinda Bolling, mmbolling@co.pg.md.us
Website: dpie.mypgc.us
Agency phone: 301-636-2000, 301-636-2020
DPIE is responsible for streamlining government operations in permitting, business licensing, inspection, property maintenance and code enforcement for residents and businesses in Prince George’s County.
Divisions include:
Permitting and Licensing — Processes building and site plan permits
Building Plan Review — Reviews plans for residential and commercial projects
Enforcement — Investigates code violations at residential, commercial and industrial properties to maintain the safety and aesthetic value of our communities
Inspections — Regulates construction, development and grading through inspection and enforcement of codes
Site/Road Plan Review — Reviews and approves site and roadway plans for proposed development and road improvement projects
 Director: (Acting) Michelle Russell, mwrussell@co.pg.md.us
Website: environment.mypgc.us
Agency phone: 301-883-5810
DoE’s core responsibilities include clean water services; flood prevention for buildings and structures; collecting waste and recycling; operating the County landfill; providing sustainability services to reduce greenhouse gas and emission; operating the animal services program including pet adoptions, operating the animal holding facility, issuing pet licenses, investigating cruelty complaints and conducting humane outreach and education events.
Divisions include:
Animal Services — Cares for the health and welfare of the County’s animal population
Resource Recovery — Manages the reduction, recycling, collection and disposal of solid waste
Sustainability — Works to move the County toward a sustainable tomorrow
Stormwater Management — Protects and restores water quality and stream systems and mitigate for flooding of structures
 Director: Terry Bellamy, dpwt-od@co.pg.md.us
Website: dpwt.mypgc.us
Agency phone: 301-883-5600
DPW&T is responsible for nearly 2,000 miles of County-maintained roadways, including 900 bridges, as well as shoulders, sidewalks, curbs/gutters, stormwater management facilities, driveway aprons and nearly 3,000 acres of grassy area. The agency is also charged with snow and ice removal, upgrading traffic signals, installing street lights, clearing fallen trees, unclogging drainage inlets, maintaining stormwater management facilities and roadway and sidewalk repairs.
Divisions include:
Office of Transportation — Operates the County public transportation system
Office of Engineering and Program Management — Implements the Capital Improvement Program, including roadway reconstruction, bridge replacement, pedestrian safety and intersection improvements
Office of Highway Maintenance — Provides highway infrastructure, litter control and stormwater management from maintenance shops in Brandywine, Forestville and Glenn Dale.
 
|
