Property maintenance code enforcement is one of the many important things we do at DPIE. Studies show that clean and well-kept neighborhoods maintain their desirability. We have several initiatives to encourage citizens to bring their properties into compliance.
Our “Beautify and Comply!” campaign urges homeowners to fix violations as they spruce up for the seasons. “NO LANDSCAPE LITTER: Don’t Litter the Landscape!” stresses that keeping an old washing machine in your backyard creates litter just as much as dumping tires on a lot.
Clean and code-compliant neighborhoods maintain their value. Let’s do our part to keep Prince George’s County beautiful!
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Coming August 18: Who Handles That?
Join DPIE staff for a virtual seminar entitled “Who Handles That?” to learn how to connect with the appropriate agencies to respond to some of your most frequent complaints.
The seminar is scheduled for 11 a.m.–12 noon, Thursday, August 18, 2022. 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, email us at dpiepio@co.pg.md.us. A Zoom link will be provided to those who register.
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  DPIE was among the agencies that addressed code violations on this Capital Heights property.
• Prince George’s County Code is established by the County Council with the consent of the County Executive.
• Requirements related to property maintenance, housing and zoning are established by County Code and other applicable codes. Codes are laws that state what is allowed, what is not and the actions DPIE and other agencies are empowered to take to address violations.
• One of DPIE’s major responsibilities is conducting inspections and taking appropriate enforcement actions to address violations and bring properties into compliance.
• Property maintenance, housing and zoning inspections are conducted as part of an ongoing departmental "cleanup" strategy or on a first-come, first-served basis in response to complaints to PGC311. If code violations are identified, inspectors are authorized to issue a Notice of Violation (NOV), a Civil Citation or an Administrative Citation to the property owner or other responsible person.
• The NOV or citation references the violation(s) of the County Code and the length of time allotted to address the violation(s). A follow-up inspection is conducted after the allotted time. If the violation has not been abated, appropriate action will be taken, which may include the levying of fines and/or transferring the case to the Administrative Hearing Unit or court for adjudication.
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1. Operating a business out of a residence. You may not operate a restaurant or café, prepare or serve food for pay, sell goods, store imported products or operate a nail salon. To operate a hair salon, barber shop, or other allowed business, a Use and Occupancy Permit (U&O) is required.
2. Performing automotive work on a driveway or street. You may not work on cars, except minor maintenance on your own vehicle(s), in residential driveways or garages. NO automotive shops may operate on residential streets, in driveways, inside garages or behind houses or apartments.
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3. Doing unpermitted residential or commercial construction. Construction projects such as erecting a deck, finishing a basement, remodeling a kitchen, building an addition, etc. require permits and inspections.
4. Accumulating trash and dumping. Allowing trash and debris to accumulate on your property or dumping tires, construction materials and other debris on streets and undeveloped areas negatively impacts the County’s aesthetics.
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5. Parking some commercial vehicles in driveways or on residential streets. Most commercial vehicles should be left at the workplace!
6. Parking vehicles on unpaved surfaces. You may not park on grass or unpaved areas behind houses or in front yards.
7. Failing to adequately maintain a property. Homeowners or renters are required to cut grass and weeds, prune plants, pick up branches and clear debris from properties regularly. Grass and weeds over 12-inches tall are a code violation!
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8. Allowing a property to fall into disrepair. Residents or property managers must repair peeling paint, loose siding, ragged gutters and downspouts, broken windows, etc., immediately as needed.
9. Accumulating junk on residential or commercial properties. You may not store untagged vehicles, vehicle parts, junk cars or motorcycles, appliances, building materials etc. on residential or commercial lots. Boats must be tagged and legally parked.
10. Leaving abandoned properties unsafe and unsecured. Buildings must be secured, lawns cut, other plants pruned, lots cleared of litter and trash removed regularly.
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 BEFORE
Inspectors Use the Clean It and Lien It! Program to Clear Littered Lots
Tall grass and weeds had grown past knee high and trash and debris littered the lot. A DPIE inspector was assigned to investigate to verify the violations. The property owner was issued a violation notice and given time to abate the violations. When the abatement period passed and the violations remained, a contractor was hired to cut the grass and remove the debris under the Clean It and Lien It! Program.
Clean It and Lien It! was conceived by DPIE Director Melinda Bolling three years ago to address property maintenance violations when property owners fail to abate the problems. The program supports the County’s beautification initiative. Each month, DPIE receives hundreds of complaints from residents reporting property maintenance violations.
“One of the main issues that can negatively impact a neighborhood is unkempt properties,” said Director Bolling. “DPIE inspectors work diligently to inspect complaints of properties in violation so the issues can be addressed. We want our property owners to be vigilant about keeping their properties up to code to maintain the aesthetics and value of County neighborhoods.”
Report property maintenance violations to PGC311. Visit the Enforcement page at dpie.mypgc.us for more information about property maintenance. Email dpiepio@co.pg.md.us for questions.
 AFTER
• Inspects residential, commercial and industrial properties to ensure compliance with housing, property maintenance and zoning codes
• Frequently addresses issues related to tall grass and weeds, open storage, accumulation of junk and trash, etc.
• Issues citations for all residential properties not in compliance with County Code
• Enforces the Zoning Ordinance to ensure private properties comply with approved land uses
• Regulates the placement of signs on private property and in public rights-of-way
• Inspects and licenses short-term rental properties and licenses all residential single-family rental properties
At left, DPIE Enforcement Division Supervisor Gabe Bejarano inspects a structure that had drawn a complaint for possible code violations.
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 Our July 21 Third-Thursday Community Information Session spotlighted the most common code violations in Prince George’s County and the steps you can take to help eliminate unsightly properties. Portions of the presentation are posted in this issue of Under Construction. Access the entire PowerPoint presentation, entitled "Code Enforcement — What Constitutes a Violation?," by clicking the link or the above cover slide.
There is no better time to beautify your property by addressing potential code violations.
Here are some tips:
• Repair peeling paint, loose siding, ragged gutters, broken windows, torn screens and damaged doors.
• Clear fallen branches and debris.
• Remove old appliances, building materials, furniture, untagged vehicles and vehicle parts.
• Trim plants, cut the grass and pull weeds before they reach 12 inches tall.
• Fix and clean deck and patio furniture and recreational equipment for kids.
• Replace outdated holiday decorations with seasonally appropriate ones.
• Spruce up and secure vacant property.
DPIE urges you to Beautify and Comply!
For more information, visit DPIE's website at dpie.mypgc.us.
  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 # 8 below and "Name that Violation" by emailing your best guess to DPIEpio@co.pg.md.us.
DPIE Congratulates
Eloise Morrisey
for correctly identifying the violation
in photo number 7 (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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Katherine Davis, Enforcement Division — Property Standards Inspector, 07/05/2022
Katherine is excited to work at DPIE. She has three years of experience in leasing and an acute interest in housing with an emphasis on underserved communities and those in need. She is an animal lover and enjoys baking. She is eager to begin this new venture!
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Richard Hall, Inspections Division — Construction Standards Inspector, 07/05/2022
Richard will rely on his many years of experience in the construction industry to serve the citizens of Prince George's County as an inspector. He is enthusiastic about joining the team.
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Loyd W. Peace, Jr., Enforcement Division — Property Standards Inspector, 07/05/2022
Loyd was born and raised in Prince Georges County. For the past eight years, he has worked as an inspector in the ADA office of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. He is enjoying getting to know the other members of the DPIE team.
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Charles Graham, Enforcement Division — Property Standards Inspector, 07/18/2022
Charles is a scout leader who enjoys camping out during the summer and playing ice hockey in the winter. He has been warmly welcomed by his colleagues in Enforcement.
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Lael Williams, Administrative Hearing Unit — Administrative Aide, 07/18/2022
Lael is delighted to work at DPIE. Her education and work background in business and hospitality provide her with the tools needed to work with the AHU. She loves spending time with family, traveling, meeting new people and acquiring new skills.
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DPIE promoted the following employees in July 2022. We would like to recognize and congratulate them for their hard work and commitment to our agency. Keep up the great work!
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Gabriel Bejarano, Property Standards Inspector 3A, 07/03/2022
Gabriel was promoted to a Property Standards Inspector 3A in the Enforcement Division. He started working at DPIE in 2017.
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Mohammed Alqaraghuli, Engineer 3G, 07/03/2022
Mohammed was promoted to an Engineer 3G in the Site/Road Plan Review Division. He started working at DPIE in 2016.
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DPIE Congratulates Tiffany McNeal
Employee of the Month
August 2022
Tiffany is a Human Resources Analyst in the Administrative Services Division. She is being recognized for her professionalism, knowledge and support of others. She freely shares knowledge with her colleagues and customers to achieve positive outcomes. Tiffany goes the extra mile to address internal/external customer concerns while ensuring actions meet legal and regulatory requirements. She has shown leadership by supporting multiple DPIE divisions in achieving their recruitment and internal promotion efforts.
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DPIE celebrates Tiffany for her excellent performance!
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