We are making two changes this month to improve response to our customers. On February 14, DPIE’s fee structure will change to reflect a 10% increase in most fees to provide additional revenue for County services. The updated fees remain lower than those of nearby jurisdictions. There is more detail on the revamped fee structure below.
We are also excited about an update of the DPIE website. The IT staff has worked diligently to streamline the information on our site to make it easier for customers to access. I hope you are visiting the website frequently. We look forward to offering you more information in our new format. Watch the website for details.
As always, we continue to strive to find ways to improve our programs, services and customer service. Please continue to let us know what you need and how we can improve.
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Modest Increase Will Help Fund Services
DPIE will implement fee changes, effective Monday, February 14, 2022. Most fees will increase by 10 percent, meaning that an applicable fee that was previously $50 will increase to $55. The updated fee schedule is posted on the DPIE website.
The revised fee structure was approved by the Prince George’s County Council with CR-082-2021, which took effect November 2, 2021. Visit the Legislative/Zoning Information System (LZIS) to view the CR-082 legislation.
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“This modest increase in fees will help the County keep pace with commerce,” said DPIE Director Melinda Bolling. “The additional revenue will have a positive impact on the County by providing funds for service delivery, as well as hiring additional staff to issue permits and licenses, perform plan reviews and enforce code and safety regulations at DPIE.”
Site/Road Plan Review Adds Two Fees
Effective January 18, 2022, DPIE implemented permit fee changes per CB-38-2021, which enacts two fees related to site/road plan approvals. A fee is required on a site plan application that cannot be approved within four review cycles. Another fee is applied on deficient plans that omit road frontage improvements. Visit the Legislative/Zoning Information System (LZIS) to view the CB-38 legislation.
 DPIE inspectors examine exterior fire damage to an apartment building in Beltsville.
The fire started about 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, at an apartment complex on Evans Trail in Beltsville. The cause wasn’t immediately determined. No injuries were reported, but 32 people were displaced when fire, smoke and water seriously damaged 11 units at one of the complex's three buildings.
After the flames were extinguished, inspectors from DPIE’s Enforcement and Inspections divisions visited the site. Enforcement’s Property Standards Unit determines if fire-damaged structures are safe for human habitation. Structures found unsafe are posted with notices forbidding access until appropriate repairs are made, said supervisory Inspector Calvin Saunders. They also issue violation notices to the management officially restricting habitation and deeming the structures wholly or partially unfit.
The Inspections Division’s Construction Standards team determines repairs that are needed to bring structures back into compliance with current applicable codes and regulations. After construction is completed on repairs, the unit conducts a final inspection to determine if the building is up to code and will be allowed to operate again, said Construction Standards Supervisor Darrell K. Terry.
Saunders and Inspector Ronald Waters responded to the Beltsville fire, along with Inspector Christopher Scott of Construction Standards.
“When we got there, the management company already had their maintenance workers and restoration company there. The structure was completely vacant, and the management company had started changing the locks and denying access to the residents there,” Saunders said. “Residents can’t go inside once it’s posted until Construction Standards determines the structure is safe enough for the tenants to go back in for a short time, while supervised, to get their belongings.”
Terry’s unit examines structural, electrical and mechanical systems and produces a “damage report,” which is required for permits to be issued for repairs.
DPIE also works with the Red Cross and the Department of Social Services (DSS) to secure long-term housing and other services for residents. It can take upwards of a year for structures to be rendered safe after a serious fire.
“It’s very disheartening to see people displaced and losing their belongings. That’s the tough part,” Terry said. “We all become one team – the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Red Cross and DPIE. We all jump on things right away to get people back into their homes as soon as possible.”
 Inspectors Christopher Scott (left) and Ronald Waters review fire damage at a Beltsville apartment complex on January 24, then tag the building "unfit for human habitation."
DPIE will soon unveil a makeover of its website implemented to ease customer use and navigation. The update will begin with revamps of the main page, the Permitting section and the Building Plan Review Division pages. Eventually, each DPIE division's web pages will be updated.
Each divisional main page will feature icons to make it faster for customers to move throughout the various sections to access information. The divisional pages will also include contact information, resources, quick links and notices and alerts. Frequently asked questions and the answers to those questions will also be spotlighted.
“We are very excited to present our updated website to our customers,” said DPIE Director Melinda Bolling. “The new features will make it easier for people who seek our assistance to find the information they need. The website makeover is part of our ongoing effort to continue to improve customer service.”
The website update is the latest initiative in Director Bolling’s program to enhance the agency's virtual customer service in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. DPIE has also implemented virtual inspections; a Virtual Permit Café, which allows homeowners to walk their homeowner permit applications through the plan review process in a contact-free environment; and the online Momentum system, which allows customers to submit applications, upload documentation and make payments online and, after approval, print their licenses at work or at home.
Visit the DPIE website regularly at dpie.mypgc.us for information and updates.
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The following bills related to DPIE were enacted by the Prince George’s County Council in 2021. See additional details and read the full text of bills and resolutions at Legislative/Zoning Information System (LZIS). Enter the bill #, resolution # or subject into the search bar on the left, following the format example: CB-007-2021, select the year, then select the agenda item type (Council Bill or Resolution).
 • CB-17-2021 — AN ACT CONCERNING FOOD HALLS OCCUPANCY AND OPERATIONS for the purpose of establishing a business license for Special Food Service Facilities — Food Halls.
• CB-20-2021 — AN ACT CONCERNING 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 2017 editions of the National Electrical Code.
• CB-28-2021 — AN ACT CONCERNING MOBILE GROCERY TRUCKS for the purpose of amending the definition of Mobile Vendors to include a Mobile Grocery Truck that provides food options in targeted areas in Prince George’s County and the license application requirements.
• CB-29-2021 — AN ACT CONCERNING MOBILE UNITS AND FOOD SAFETY for the purpose of amending the definition of depots to include registration, annual inspections and annual reporting and the vehicle identification requirements
• CB-33-2021 — AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING ZONING — DEFINITIONS — GROUP RESIDENTIAL FACILITY for the purpose of amending the definition for the use "Group Residential Facility" in the Zoning Ordinance.
• CB-38-2021 — AN ACT CONCERNING WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION AND GRADING CODE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY for the purpose of adopting additional permit fees for Site Road permit applications. Specifically, two new fees: (1) fees for multiple plan reviews; and (2) fees for multiple plan reviews for failure to include public roads. Also, the Bill clarifies extension fees for grading, storm drain, and stormwater management outside the public right of way.
• CB-48-2021 — AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING GAS STATIONS — SPECIAL EXCEPTION REQUIREMENTS — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AND DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS for the purpose of amending the definition of Gas station uses in the Zoning Ordinance, requiring that Special Exceptions and Detailed Site Plans approved for Gas station uses include a minimum distance from structures used as a residence, and adding a requirement that the Gas station provide at least two (2) Level 3 or DC fast charger electric vehicle charging stations.
• CB-54-2021 — AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING DIGITAL BILLBOARDS for the purpose of amending the requirements of a Digital Billboard to include notice requirements for adjoining properties, municipalities, and all associations registered with the commission for the area which includes the property and extending the deadline for the certification of outdoor advertising signs.
• CB-56-2021 — AN ACT CONCERNING PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PERMITTING, INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT SUBPOENA POWER for the purpose of establishing additional enforcement methods to effectuate service of subpoenas by the Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement.
• CB-61-2021 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE BUILDING CODE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY for the purpose of increasing civil fines imposed through an administrative citation for Building Code Violations.
• CB-63-2021 — AN ACT CONCERNING BUILDING CODE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY for the purpose of creating a Use and Occupancy Verification Letter, adopting an additional fee for the investigation and issuance of the Use and Occupancy Verification Letter.
• CB-69-2-21 — AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING HOME OCCUPATIONS — PET GROOMING for the purpose of amending the definition of the use Home Occupation in the Zoning Ordinance to include Pet Grooming Service businesses as a Home Occupation in the Residential Zones of Prince George’s County, Maryland, under certain circumstances.
• CB-80-2021 — AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING R-80 ZONE for the purpose of permitting nursing or care homes in the R-80 Zone under certain circumstances.
• CB-95-2021 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE BUILDING CODE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY for the purpose of amending the International Building and Residential Codes regarding the placement and construction of guard rails.
• CR-44-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES SURCHARGE for the purpose of approving a partial waiver of the public safety facilities surcharge for all residential units of the mixed-use Urban Atlantic Development Multifamily — Phase 2 (“Urban Atlantic”).
• CR-49-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE 2008 WATER AND SEWER PLAN (DECEMBER 2018 CYCLE OF AMENDMENTS), AS AMENDED AND REPLACED BY THE 2018 WATER AND SEWER PLAN for the purpose of approving, pursuant to Order of Court, application 18/W-07 from the December 2018 Cycle of Amendments.
• CR-65-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING SCHOOL FACILITIES SURCHARGE for the purpose of adjusting the school facilities surcharge for Fiscal Year 2022, beginning July 1, 2021, as required by State law.
• CR-66-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING PUBLIC SAFETY SURCHARGE for the purpose of adjusting the public safety surcharge for Fiscal Year 2022, beginning July 1, 2021, as required by State law.
• CR-69-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY RESTAURANT OUTDOOR SEATING AUTHORIZATION for the purpose of extending the temporary suspension of certain restrictions on outdoor seating arising under Subtitle 27 of the Prince George’s County Code, being also the Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance, and providing for the extension of temporary expedited administrative process to authorize outdoor dining to otherwise lawful eating and drinking establishment uses on adjacent exterior space or shared exterior space, under certain circumstance to further economic recovery.
• CR-74-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING SCHOOL FACILITIES SURCHARGE EXEMPTION for the purpose of approving a full exemption of the school facilities surcharge for all residential units within THE HUB mixed-use student housing project.
• CR-82-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING DEPARTMENT OF PERMITTING, INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT for the purpose of increasing all fees maintained by the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement, with such increase to be approved by the County Council after notice and public hearing.
• CR-84-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING IMPLEMENTATION OF USE AND OCCUPANCY VERIFICATION LETTER FEE for the purpose of approving a fee table established by the Director of the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement to implement a fee for the issuance of a Use and Occupancy Verification Letter.
• CR-87-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE 2018 WATER AND SEWER PLAN (JUNE 2021 CYCLE OF AMENDMENTS) for the purpose of changing the water and sewer category designations of properties within the 2018 Water and Sewer Plan.
• CR-105-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE 2018 WATER AND SEWER PLAN (SEPTEMBER 2021 CYCLE OF AMENDMENTS) for the purpose of changing the water and sewer category designations of properties within the 2018 Water and Sewer Plan.
• CR-116-2021 — A RESOLUTION CONCERNING SCHOOL FACILITIES SURCHARGE for the purpose of approving a full waiver of the school facilities surcharge for all residential units within the ASPEN-MARYLAND (Building 1) mixed-use student housing project.
 DPIE is holding a monthly contest where we share a photo that contains a property maintenance violation of Prince George's County Code. The first person to identify the violation and respond with the correct answer will win a DPIE goodie bag and have their name published in next month's Under Construction newsletter.*
*DPIE employees and their family members are not eligible to enter in this promotion.
Carefully study QUIZ PHOTO # 2 below and "Name that Violation" by emailing your best guess to DPIEpio@co.pg.md.us.
Last Month's Answer. . .
DPIE Congratulates
SHARON MORRISON
for correctly identifying the violation
in QUIZ PHOTO # 1 (shown at right)
in last month's issue of Under Construction.
The answer is shown in the image below.
(DPIE added the ordinance from County Code.)
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DPIE welcomes the following new hire and congratulates her on joining the team! The new staffer has shared some information to help us get to know her and her start date.
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Roxanne Rush, Administrative Services Division — Human Resources Analyst, 1/3/2022
Roxanne previously served as the Director of Human Resources for Employ Prince George’s and the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC). She also served as the recruitment manager for a large international law firm in Washington, D.C., and the staff supervisor for a D.C. staffing firm.
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