We’ve launched the updated DPIE website! The IT staff has worked diligently over the past several months to make upgrades. The changes have made the site more attractive and user friendly.
We revamped the website in response to questions and comments from some of our customers about accessing information. There were concerns about the number of steps needed to locate some online documents. With the upgrades, we are now using fewer words and more pictures to help customers access information.
The revamped website has been up for more than a week. We've had positive feedback. Let us know what you think and if there is anything we can do to assist you with navigating the new features.
Visit us frequently at the website at dpie.mypgc.us.
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DPIE Will Combine Code Compliance with Litter Cleanup
Prince George’s County residents will take to yards, roadsides and common areas on April 23 for Spring 2022 Growing Green with Pride Day. They will remove litter and debris from roadsides, clean up trash around residential areas and do their all to remove landscape litter from the County.
While legions of volunteers work, DPIE inspectors will canvass communities to urge residents to ensure their properties are compliant with County Code, one of the agency’s primary mandates. Each season, DPIE urges residents to bring their properties into compliance with the Beautify and Comply Program.
“This spring, for the first time, DPIE is implementing ‘Beautify and Comply While Growing Green with Pride’ to connect the two efforts,” said DPIE Deputy Director Gary Cunningham. “The whole idea behind both programs is focusing on the aesthetics of our communities. At DPIE, we just take things one step further by urging residents to bring their properties into compliance with County code while they clean up.”
Property owners and managers are required to keep the buildings and grounds of residential and commercial properties compliant. Grass must be kept cut and weeds must be pulled. Keeping litter, trash, debris, yard waste and open storage — items such as old furniture, broken appliances, unused construction materials, unworking vehicles, etc. — are violations.
Residents are also responsible for ensuring that structures are intact: windows, screens, doors, downspouts and gutters must be in good repair. Crumbling brick, falling siding, broken stoops, dilapidated decks or other issues that pose safety concerns or create aesthetic problems should also be addressed.
“We are excited about partnering with DPW&T, DoE and other County agencies involved with Growing Green with Pride,” said DPIE Enforcement Division Associate Director Val Cary. “Our paths cross frequently in resolving code compliance issues. It is effective to cooperate on litter abatement.”
The theme for this year’s Growing Green with Pride celebration is “Preserve and Beautify our Environment.” The event runs from April 18–23 and will include a commemoration of Earth Day with activities on April 22 and the Growing Green with Pride Day community cleanup on April 23. For more information and to access an application to participate in the cleanup, visit the DPW&T website.
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 In photo (above right), Site/Road Plan Review Division Associate Director Mary Giles moves between locations while picking up litter and illegal signs during the 2019 Growing Green with Pride Day cleanup. In second photo, DPIE staffers, headed by Director Melinda Bolling (second row, second from left), gather at headquarters in Largo before heading out to do their part.
Spring is almost upon us! Use the milder March and April weather as an opportunity to take a good look at the exterior of your home and its grounds to identify any needed improvements or repairs. Consider these healthy home projects:
• Examine the concrete around your property and make any necessary fixes.
• Repair peeling paint, loose siding, ragged gutters and sagging downspouts.
• Fix broken windows, screens and doors.
• Check your deck and fence for loose boards, exposed nails, stains and other problems and make needed repairs. Consider freshening paint and stain.
• Have your air conditioner checked to ensure it will be in good working order when needed.
• Clear away fallen branches, open storage, trash and debris from your yard.
• Remove old appliances, building materials, furniture, untagged vehicles and car parts.
• Cut your grass, pull weeds and prune your plants.
• Run your outside faucets and check your hoses and sprinklers for needed repairs.
• Replace outdated holiday decorations with season-appropriate ones.
• Clear and prep flower beds. Prepare planters.
• Clean and secure your vacant property.
For information about property maintenance, see the FAQ's on the Enforcement Division webpage.
Enjoy your spring with a beautified property!
DPIE Staff Members Continue to Work Virtually. . .
Enforcement Division Zoning Supervisory Inspector Larry Long, right, attends a virtual court hearing last month from his office at DPIE headquarters to discuss zoning violations.
Below, Inspections Division Inspector Robert Agnew recently performs a visual inspection of a storm drain inlet and measures the width of rip-rap around an outfall at the Smith Home Farms community (Parkside) in Upper Marlboro.
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Effective April 1, 2022, DPIE will change the building permit fee multiplier used for new building construction and additions.
The new formula will be calculated using the Building Valuation Data (BVD) issued by the International Code Council (ICC) dated February 2022. The ICC updates the BVD table biannually, 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 (IBC) provides 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, call 301-636-2070.
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 DPIE is holding a monthly contest where we share a photo that contains a property violation of Prince George's County Code. The first person to respond with the correct answer will win one of DPIE's large (13"x10"x15") insulated grocery tote bags with a zipper closure, and your name 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 # 3 below and "Name that Violation" by emailing your best guess to DPIEpio@co.pg.md.us.
DPIE Congratulates
Jose Galdamez
for correctly identifying the violation
in photo number 2 (shown at right)
in last month's issue of Under Construction.
The answer is shown in the image below.
(DPIE added the ordinance from the County Code.)
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DPIE welcomes the following new hires and congratulates them on joining the team! The new staffers have shared some information to help us get to know them and their start dates.
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Aliyah Staten, Permitting and Licensing Division — Administrative Aide I; start date 2/14/2022
Aliyah is excited about what she is learning at DPIE and looking forward to continuing to meet new colleagues.
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Daquan Mills, Permitting and Licensing Division — Permits Specialist I; start date 2/28/2022
Daquan comes to us from the District Wharf, where he served as an operations manager. He attended Howard University, where he received his B.S. in Health and Human Performance. Born in Prince George's County, he grew up in the District Heights area and attended Bishop McNamara High School. He is a cycling enthusiast.
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Suman Preet, Building Plan Review Division — Engineer IV; start date 2/28/2022
Suman has over 14 years of experience in designing low-, medium- and high-voltage electrical systems. She has worked as a lead engineer. Suman has a Bachelor’s in Engineering in Electronics and Communications, is a Professional Engineer (PE) and is LEED AP BD+C Certified.
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Harold Thompson, Enforcement Division — Property Standards Inspector I; start date 2/28/2022
Harold hails from Washington, D.C. He is a retired D.C. government employee with over 25 years of service. He is very excited to be a new member of the DPIE family.
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DPIE promoted the following employees in February 2022. We would like to recognize and congratulate these employees for their hard work and commitment!
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Anthony Morris, Permitting and Licensing Division — Permits Supervisor; start date 2/13/2022
Anthony started working at DPIE in 2015.
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Myron Gibson, Inspections Division — Construction Standards Inspector IV; start date 2/13/2022
Myron started working at DPIE in 2014.
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Irfanullah Irfan, Permitting and Licensing Division — Engineer I; start date 2/27/2022
Irfanullah started working at DPIE in 2020.
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DPIE Congratulates Jerod Briscoe Employee of the Month
February 2022
Jerod is an Environmental Specialist II in the Building Plan Review Division and is being recognized for the exemplary service he provides to both external and internal customers. Jerod has been the sole well and septic reviewer for more than 18 months. He inspected and reviewed more than 400 residential wells and onsite sewage disposal systems from 2020 to the present. Jerod’s positive attitude, expertise and commitment earn him kudos from his supervisors and colleagues, as well.
DPIE celebrates Jerod for his excellent performance!
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