Prince George's County, MD · Prince George's County Zoning Ordinance
The RSF-A Zone provides for attached single-family development (townhouses and similar forms) in a walkable, pedestrian-oriented pattern connected to surrounding lands (Subtitle 27).
Development standards in RSF-A
Maximum height
50 ft
Maximum lot coverage
45%
Minimum lot width
20 ft
Max density
16.33 units/acre
Front setback
15 ft
Side setback
8 ft
Rear setback
20 ft
Read from Prince George's County, MD Zoning Ordinance (Subtitle 27), effective through 2026-01-05.
Permitted uses in RSF-A
AllowedCommunity garden Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(b)(1)(A).
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).
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).
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).
AllowedArtists' residential studios Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(c)(1)(A); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalConversion of a single-family detached dwelling to add a maximum of two (2) additional dwelling units Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedDwelling, live-work Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(c)(1)(B); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedDwelling, single-family detached Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
AllowedDwelling, three-family Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
AllowedDwelling, townhouse Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(c)(1)(E).
AllowedDwelling, two-family Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(c)(1)(E).
ConditionalApartment housing for elderly or physically disabled families Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 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.
ConditionalAssisted living facility (> 8 elderly or handicapped residents) Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(c)(2)(A); 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.
ConditionalAdult day care center Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(2)(D); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedCultural facility Permitted by right — 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 located on a lot less than 1 acre in size Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(2)(C); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalPlace of worship located in a building that was originally constructed as a dwelling, on a lot less than 1 acre in size Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(2)(C); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedPlace of worship located on a lot between 1 and 2 acres in size Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(2)(C); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedPlace of worship located in a building that was originally constructed as a dwelling, on a lot between 1 and 2 acres in size Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(2)(C); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedPlace of worship, all others Permitted by right — 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.
ConditionalHealth campus Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalMedical/residential campus Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalNursing or care home Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(d)(4)(A); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalAirfield, Airpark, Airport or Airstrip 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).
AllowedArt gallery Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c).
ConditionalArt, photography, music, dance, yoga, pilates, or martial arts studio or schools Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalManufacturing, artisan or maker Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 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).
ConditionalFuneral parlor or undertaking establishment Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(e)(6)(A); 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.
ConditionalCountry club Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalGolf course 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.
AllowedPerformance arts center Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedRecreation facility, indoor Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(e)(8); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedRecreation facility, outdoor Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(e)(8); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
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.
ConditionalSand and gravel wet-processing Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(c). Standards: 27-5102(f)(2)(A); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalSurface mining 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.
"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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