Prince George's County, MD · Prince George's County Zoning Ordinance
The ROS Zone preserves permanent open space, parkland, and resource lands; development potential is minimal.
Development standards in ROS
Maximum height
35 ft
Maximum lot coverage
2%
Minimum lot size
871200 sq ft
Minimum lot width
300 ft
Max density
0.05 units/acre
Front setback
50 ft
Side setback
20 ft
Rear setback
20 ft
Read from Prince George's County, MD Zoning Ordinance (Subtitle 27), effective through 2026-01-05.
Permitted uses in ROS
AllowedAgriculture Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
AllowedCommunity garden Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(b)(1)(A).
AllowedForestry Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
AllowedKeeping of horses or ponies Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
ConditionalNursery and Garden Center Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedUrban agriculture Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(b)(1)(D).
AllowedAgriculture research facility Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedEquestrian center Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedFarm-based alcohol production Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(b)(2)(A).
AllowedFarm market Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
AllowedFarm supply sales or farm machinery/implement sales, rental, or repair Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedFood hub Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedRiding stable Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
ConditionalSawmill Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(b)(2)(B); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedArboretum or botanical garden, park or greenway, or public water-oriented recreational and educational area Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(b)(3)(A).
AllowedDwelling, single-family detached Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
ConditionalMobile home Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(c)(1)(C); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedAssisted living facility (≤ 8 elderly or handicapped residents) Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(c)(2)(A); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalBoarding or rooming house Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(c)(2)(D); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedConvent or monastery Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
AllowedGroup residential facility Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(c)(2)(B).
ConditionalPlanned retirement community Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedAntenna Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(1)(A).
AllowedBroadcasting studio and newspaper/periodical publishing Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
ConditionalTower, pole, or monopole Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(1)(B); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalAdaptive use of a Historic Site Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalCultural facility Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalDay care center for children Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(2)(A); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalEleemosynary or philanthropic institution Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedEmergency services facility Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalPlace of worship, all others Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(2)(C); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalAdaptive reuse of a surplus public school Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalCollege or university Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(3)(A); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalPrivate school Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(3)(C); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalWater-dependent research facility or activity operated by a government or educational institution Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(3)(D); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalParking of commercial vehicles Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalPublic utility uses or structures, major Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(6)(B); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedPublic utility uses or structures, minor Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
ConditionalKennel on a lot having a net area of more than 20,000 sq. ft. Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(e)(3)(E); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedCatering or food processing for off-site consumption Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(e)(5)(C).
ConditionalCemetery or crematory Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalClub or lodge, private Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalCommercial recreation attraction Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalCommercial recreational facilities (privately owned) on land leased from a public agency Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalNonprofit recreational use Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalRifle, pistol, or skeet shooting range: outdoor; lot area > 20 acres Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalSkating facility Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(e)(8)(F); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedWaterfront entertainment/retail complex Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
AllowedFarmers' market Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(e)(9)(H).
AllowedBed and breakfast (as accessory to single-family dwelling) Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(e)(11)(A).
ConditionalCountry inn Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalRecreational campground Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(e)(11)(C); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalLandscaping contractor's business Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalClass 3 fill Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedComposting facility Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
ConditionalSanitary landfill; rubble fill Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalAccessory building, increase in height (accessory) Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5201(b) (accessory). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedAccessory structures and uses, except as otherwise provided (accessory) Permitted by right — Table 27-5201(b) (accessory).
AllowedAgritourism (accessory) Permitted by right — Table 27-5201(b) (accessory). Standards: 27-5203(b)(1).
AllowedAutomated teller machine (ATM) (as accessory to a nonresidential use) (accessory) Permitted by right — Table 27-5201(b) (accessory). Standards: 27-5203(b)(2).
"Conditional" means the use generally requires a public hearing or special-exception approval — a very different timeline and risk profile from a by-right permit.
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