One of my priorities for our staff in 2022 is increasing opportunities for citizens to interact directly with us. We are holding monthly seminars and regular webinars. In June, we held a Zoom seminar on our electronic permit application and plan review processes. On July 21, our Third-Thursday Community Information Session will center on residential and commercial code enforcement. Our Business Development Section will hold a webinar on "Building Permits, U&Os and Inspections" on July 28. Make sure to participate in these sessions to hear directly from our team and get responses to your questions. Watch our website at DPIE.mypgc.us for information on events.
Also, summer is here! Remember to address any code violations on your property to ensure its compliance with County Code as part of your summer yard maintenance.
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From the Under Construction Archives. . .
DPIE: From Idea to Inception in Less Than a Year
The mandate was to simplify a series of processes that had proven daunting to citizens by dismantling one agency and uniting sections from others to form a new department.
The new agency, named the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement, DPIE for short, opened its doors with a bold mission on July 1, 2013. The creation of DPIE occurred in less than a year. It was an amazingly short time to establish a new department comprised of multiple sections of existing agencies merged into one functioning entity. It was an aggressive and challenging initiative.
Prior to DPIE, services were spread over several locations. Citizens and business owners complained about the difficulty of navigating not only the permitting and licensing processes, but also the number of agencies involved. DPIE put everything in one place to streamline operations.
Today, the agency is home to about 300 employees divided among seven divisions. DPIE has improved its delivery of services every year by focusing on expediting processes.
DPIE Enforcement Division Zoning Unit Inspector Brandon Wright (right) confers with Prince George’s County Police Officer Matthew Woodford prior to an inspection at a convenience store in Dodge Park on June 24. The inspection was part of a joint investigation by Zoning inspectors and police to identify stores selling illegal fireworks prior to the Fourth of July. Four teams of inspectors and officers inspected dozens of establishments. The Zoning Unit conducts hundreds of inspections at businesses each year to ensure they are abiding by the operating conditions set forth in their Use and Occupancy Permits and complying with other code requirements. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were associated with nine deaths and 11,500 injuries treated at hospitals last year.
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Coming July 21: Code Enforcement — What Constitutes a Violation?
Is it a violation to park on the grass in your back yard? Is it okay to open a nail salon in your basement? What will happen if you get caught parking a semi in your driveway? Can you build a deck without a permit? Join DPIE Enforcement and Inspections staff for a seminar from 11 a.m.–12 noon, Thursday, July 21, 2022 to get answers to these questions and more. The seminar is part of DPIE’s Third-Thursday Community Information Sessions series. Each session includes a presentation, comments by agency experts and a Q&A period. To register and submit questions, please contact us at dpiepio@co.pg.md.us. A Zoom link will be provided to those who register. For more information, call 240-508-9723.
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 Before you make a purchase, check for any violations, fees or fines you may inherit. Did the previous owner run afoul of County code by operating an auto repair business in the garage? Are there currently fines outstanding for unpermitted construction violations? Was the property the subject of a hearing before the Nuisance Abatement Board, which hears cases involving properties where activity has taken place that creates a public nuisance?
File a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) Request Form with DPIE for information about the history of properties. Your inquiry will be researched and any documents related to your request will be emailed to you within 30 days. Information is available on the DPIE MPIA webpage.
 Our June 16 Third-Thursday Community Information Session spotlighted the agency's electronic permit application submission and plan review processes. Portions of the presentation are posted below. Access the entire PowerPoint presentation, entitled "Mastering the DPIE Permit Application Process," by clicking the above cover slide.
 Beginning July 1, 2022, homeowners are no longer required to make an appointment for walk-through permits. Customers will be assisted at the Virtual Permit Center Café (VPC) on a first-come, first-served basis from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Additional information is posted on DPIE's Walk-Through Permit Process page.
DPIE offers homeowners in person, walk-through service in our Virtual Permit Center. This process allows homeowners to meet with plan reviewers and, when necessary, interact virtually at the Permit Center or remotely. At the end of the process, in most cases, homeowners are issued their permits on the same day! Here is how the process works:
• Access the DPIE permitting platform to start your application.
• Complete and submit your online application and check the "Virtual Walk-Through Submission" option.
For additional information, visit DPIE's new Virtual Permit Process for Homeowners page.
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The following screenshots show you a visual step-by-step guide to get your permit started.
Permit Online Landing Page
Begin with the Online Permit landing page. Most residential projects will need the Building Permit/U&O category.
Permit Portal
 Starting a Building Permit Application
 New Building Permit Application Page
 See additional information on the "Mastering the DPIE Permit Application Process" PowerPoint.
Real Property Data Search
Research details of a property at the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), including ownership information, lot size, property amenities, etc.
  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 # 7 below and "Name that Violation" by emailing your best guess to DPIEpio@co.pg.md.us.
DPIE Congratulates
Valerie Hough Cromartie
for correctly identifying the violation
in photo number 6 (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 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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John Bennett, Enforcement Division — Property Standards Inspector, 06/21/2022
John has had many jobs in his life, however, being a husband, father, grandfather and veteran are his favorites. He is very excited to join the team!
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Ashley Pace, Permitting and Licensing Division — Engineering Technician, 06/21/2022
Ashley is a Washingtonian who enjoys public speaking, serving her community, learning and finding new adventures. She counts being a poet as one of her many talents.
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Amiyah Boardley, Permitting and Licensing Division — Engineering Technician, 06/21/2022
Amiyah hails from the Maryland Eastern Shore. She started at DPIE as a temporary employee but recently joined the staff full time. She is excited to begin her new position!
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Nasif Tofa, Building Plan Review Division — Engineer, 06/21/2022
Nasif is devoted to promoting, improving, and implementing fire and life safety codes. He is upbeat, well organized, pays strong attention to detail and has a superior work ethic.
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DPIE promoted the following employee in June 2022. We would like to recognize and congratulate Amarech for her hard work and commitment to our agency. Keep up the great work!
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Amarech Moshe, Engineer 3G, 6/19/2022
Amarech was promoted to an Engineer 3G in the Site/Road Plan Review Division on June 19, 2022. She started working for DPIE in 2019.
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DPIE Congratulates Juan Swann
Employee of the Month
July 2022
Juan Swann is an Inspector in Construction Standards in the Inspections Division. He is being recognized for his professionalism and outstanding customer service. Juan's commitment, positive attitude, leadership and support for others have benefited internal and external customers. Juan is known for his tenacity and willingness to go the extra mile. He embodies the principles of DPIE: Dedication, Performance, Integrity, and Excellence.
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DPIE celebrates Juan for his excellent performance!
 
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