Next up: Summer!
The sunny season is upon us, with its hot days and outdoor fun. Unfortunately, storms also come along with summer. As you begin to indulge in summer fun, we ask that you consider some steps to stave off storm damage on your property. DPIE’s one-pager entitled "Steps to Help Mitigate Storm Damage to Your Property,” available in the Publications section of our website, offers suggestions. Check your sump pumps regularly and make sure your storm drains are clean. Establish a family plan in case of weather-related emergencies. Taking a few precautions will help reduce the chances of damage and injury.
Here's hoping the summer of 2023 is the most enjoyable – and safest – ever for you and yours.
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Celebrating the rich history, courage and contributions of the millions of men, women and children of Caribbean descent who now are among our family, friends and neighbors in the United States.
 
DPIE hosts monthly virtual Third-Thursday Community Information Sessions to allow the public to interact directly with agency leadership and staff. Each session focuses on a particular topic and includes a brief presentation, comments by DPIE experts and a Q&A period.
Sessions take place from 11 a.m.–12 noon on the third Thursday of each month.
Participants may register in advance for the Third-Thursday Community Information Session.
Submit questions in advance to dpiepio@co.pg.md.us. We hope to see you at the next virtual meeting!
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Late spring and summer warm weather brings storms that can lead to injury and property destruction, but you can take steps to keep your family safe and your property less likely to be severely damaged. The International Code Council (ICC) provides information to help you and your family prepare.
Taking precautions to escape, such as developing a family evacuation plan, will help the family know what to do in case they need to leave the home. Establish at least two exit routes from your home or neighborhood to a designated safe meeting place for your family. Make arrangements for your pets in case the family is forced to take shelter in a location that will not allow animals.
Also, in case of evacuation, if you live in a high wind or hurricane-prone area and do not have code-approved shutters, consider temporarily protecting your doors and windows with plywood covers. Secure lawn furniture and any loose outdoor items that may become wind-borne. If you live in an area where tornadoes occur frequently, consider building or retrofitting to create a tornado-safe room in your home. Use surge protectors to protect your electronics.
Experts suggest that families create disaster emergency supply kits for use if you remain in your home or are forced to evacuate after a disaster. Be sure to update the items as necessary to ensure they are fresh and properly stored.
When inclement weather looms, make sure to tune into the internet, television, and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for information. Tracking the path of storms can help families stay safer.
And, remember road hazards during storms. Flooded roads have hidden dangers. Never drive through floodwaters, on flooded roads or cross flowing streams. It takes only six inches of fast-flowing water to sweep you off your feet and two feet of water to move an SUV.
For more information, visit www.buildingsafetymonth.org.
The following basics will help you prepare an effective emergency supply kit, whether you are preparing for an earthquake, a tornado, a hurricane, a flood or a wildfire. Remember to store all items in water-tight containers and rotate food and water every six months to keep them fresh.
• Face masks and hand sanitizer
• Cell phones, tablets, radios with chargers and batteries
• Flashlights, lanterns and extra batteries
• Water, nonperishable food, unbreakable dishes and utensils, including hand-operated can openers
• Infant formula and diapers
• First aid kit and bug repellant
• Prescription and non-prescription medications
• Important family documents in portable air-tight containers
• Matches in waterproof containers
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change, in addition to debit and credit cards
• Blankets, bedding, sleeping bags
• Extra clothes and durable shoes
• Tools (wrench, hammer, utility gloves, etc.)
• Kits for pets.
For details on preparing an emergency preparedness kit, visit the Homeland Security website at Build a Kit.
 
Mold is caused when microscopic, airborne spores land on moist surfaces and spread rapidly. Mold growth can be impacted by controlling moisture. Builders and contractors must carefully construct buildings in accordance with approved plans and follow good construction practices in assembling building components. Property owners and tenants must take steps to prevent moisture from accumulating inside buildings.
The following precautions can limit mold growth:
• Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
• Watch for condensation and wet spots.
• Repair sources of moisture problems as soon as possible.
• Prevent moisture caused by condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in the air.
• Insulate or increase air circulation to increase surface temperature.
• Increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry) or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid) to reduce the moisture level in the air, and repair ventilation leaks.
• Keep heating, ventilation and air-conditioning drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
• Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible.
• Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60 percent relative humidity (RH).
• Adhere to a regular schedule of building/HVAC inspections and maintenance.
Source: International Code Council
The DPIE Application Tracker is a tool that gives users a snapshot of where an application is in the permit review process.
Please note that only applications that are reviewed in ePlan and have begun the review process can be found with the DPIE Application Tracker.
To Use the DPIE Application Tracker:
1. Go to DPIE Application Tracker
2. Enter your application Number
3. View your Application Progress table
• Each review has a status. The legend for understanding these statuses is at the bottom of the page (Pending, Under Review, Completed, Hold for Corrections, Out to Applicant).
All required documents must be uploaded into Momentum.
For questions regarding Prince George's County Health Licenses, email environmental health at environmentalhealth@co.pg.md.us or call 301-883-7605.
DPIE's Site/Road Plan Review Division has created a form that establishes when a permit review is needed or not needed by the SRPRD. The landowner is required to sign and submit the new "Residential Fence/Gate Owner Certification" form for all residential fence permits. This form will help shorten the timeframe for residential fence permits by predetermining the review steps in order to keep the permit moving forward.
DPIE's Building Plan Review Division's (BPRD) chief, Nabeel Waseem, has written a document in collaboration with Associate Director Bellur Ravishankar and staff to review applicable building codes to assist customers who need clarity in planning change of use vs. building changes. The document provides information on:
• Applicable building codes to determine the change of occupancy/use
• Conditions where a plan review Is NOT required by the BPRD
• BPRD's requirements for change of occupancy/use
• Common examples of change of occupancy/use
Click to access the "Change of Occupancy (Use) per the Building Code" document.
DPIE Enforcement Inspector Chane’e Williams was among several County staffers who spent more than six hours on May 24 beautifying the property of a Capitol Heights couple in need of assistance with yard maintenance. Volunteers raked leaves, pulled weeds, mowed grass, painted a fence, removed trash and debris, cleared the front yard and planted flowers! The Home Depot on Hampton Park Blvd., in Capitol Heights, donated supplies. DPIE staff are active in County neighborhoods! Read more about Inspector Williams below:
Primary responsibility:
Williams inspects and works to resolve code violations that come to DPIE from PGC311 or are seen during her surveys of her beat area. The goal is to bring properties in violation into compliance.
Length of service with Prince George’s County:
Williams joined the staff of DPIE in November 2017.
Education:
Williams studied justice and law at the American University in Washington, D.C. She is also a licensed real estate agent in Maryland and D.C. She obtained an Accredited Buyer’s Representative certification because homeownership is very important to her. As a homeowner and Realtor, she has special insight into the importance of property maintenance to communities and property owners.
Work philosophy:
“If you are going to do it, do it right and do it well, but most of all, do it with great intent!”
About DPIE:
“DPIE is the heartbeat of the County. Each division is pertinent to its ebb, flow and success. We have a great flow at DPIE despite some challenges. The Sixth Floor (location of the Enforcement Division) has two great leaders – Associate Director Val Cary and Assistant Associate Director Chrystal Tibbs – at the helm. We continue to be unstoppable!”
Off the clock:
She loves to read, write, house hunt, visit museums, attend concerts, travel and have fun!
BDS is featuring the following webinars on the permitting and licensing process in Prince George’s County. Click on the following links to register:
• June 22, 12:00 noon ― Building Permits, U&Os and Inspections for Commercial Businesses
• July 27, 12:00 noon ― DPIE Business Licenses
• August 31, 12:00 noon ― Introduction to the Business Development Section
 Our May 18 Third-Thursday Community Information Session, “Open Forum IV,” provided a listening session where staff answered questions from the floor. If you missed it, you may view the presentation at Virtual Open Forum IV or click the image.
 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 # 5 below and "Name that Violation" by emailing your best guess to DPIEpio@co.pg.md.us.
DPIE Congratulates
Shirley Lisenby
for correctly identifying the violation
in photo number 4 (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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