Prince George's County, MD · Prince George's County Zoning Ordinance
The RTO-L Edge subdistrict transitions from transit station cores to surrounding neighborhoods (Subtitle 27; Plan 2035).
Development standards in RTO-L-E
Maximum height
126 ft
Sec. 27-4204
Max density
140 units/acre
Sec. 27-4204
Rear setback
0 ft
Sec. 27-4204
Front setback
In the RTO-L Edge area, 0 ft with build-to lines of 15 ft and 27 ft for nonresidential and mixed-use development, and 10 ft with build-to lines of 15 ft and 35 ft for residential development; portions of the front facade higher than 50 ft are set back an additional 0.5 ft for every 1 ft above 50 ft — see Sec. 27-4204
Side setback
In the RTO-L Edge area, 0 ft for nonresidential and mixed-use development; 5 ft for residential development, which on townhouse lots applies only to the outside of end units — see Sec. 27-4204
Front setback and Side setback are banded in the ordinance — it depends on what you build or on the lot itself, so no single figure is true for the whole zone. The cited table is the authority; read the tier that matches your intended structure.
Portions on the front facade above 50 ft step back 0.5 ft per 1 ft over 50 ft.
Read from Prince George's County, MD Zoning Ordinance (Subtitle 27), effective through 2026-01-05. We last checked with the publisher on 2026-09-24 and found nothing newer -- a check on that date, not a promise about today.
How complete is this market? Across 299,690 parcels we answer 76.6% of the 6 questions this site is built to answer, each with a source you can check. The rest are shown as “not recorded” rather than filled in — we would rather be short than wrong.
Permitted uses in RTO-L-E
AllowedCommunity garden Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(b)(1)(A).
AllowedUrban agriculture Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(b)(1)(D).
AllowedArboretum or botanical garden, park or greenway, or public water-oriented recreational and educational area Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(b)(3)(A).
AllowedArtists’ residential studios Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(c)(1)(A); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedDwelling, live-work Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(c)(1)(B); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedDwelling, multifamily Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(c)(1)(D), 27-5102(c)(1)(E); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedDwelling, three-family Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d).
AllowedDwelling, townhouse Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedDwelling, two-family Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedApartment housing for elderly or physically disabled families Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
Allowed≤ 8 elderly or handicapped Assisted residents Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(c)(2)(A) a nd refer to.
Allowedliving > 8 elderly or facility handicapped residents Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: special exception standards.
AllowedGroup residential facility Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(c)(2)(B).
AllowedPrivate Dormitory Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(c)(2)(C).
AllowedAntenna Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(d)(1)(A).
AllowedBroadcasting studio and Newspaper/periodical publishing establishment Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d).
ConditionalTower, pole, or monopole Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(d). 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(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedCultural facility Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedDay care center for children Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). 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(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedEmergency services facility Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedPlace of worship located on a lot less than 1 acre in size Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-.
AllowedPlace of worship located in a building that was originally constructed as a dwelling, on a lot less than 1 acre in size. Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 5102(d)(2)(C) a nd; 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(d).
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(d).
AllowedPlace of worship, all others Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d).
ConditionalAdaptive reuse of a surplus public school Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedCollege or university Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(d)(3)(A); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedDriving school Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(d)(3)(B).
AllowedPrivate school Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(d)(3)(C); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedVocational or trade school Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d).
AllowedHospital Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedMedical or dental office or lab Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d).
AllowedNursing or care home Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(d)(4)(A) a nd; Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedState-licensed medical clinic Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(d)(4)(B).
ConditionalAirfield, Airpark, Airport, or Airstrip Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedPark and ride facility Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedParking facility Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(d)(5)(A) a nd; Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedTransit station or terminal Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
ConditionalPublic utility uses or structures, major Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(d)(6)(B); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedPublic utility uses or structures, minor Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d).
AllowedPet grooming establishment Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(e)(3)(B).
AllowedVeterinary hospital or clinic Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(e)(3)(C) a nd; Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedArt gallery Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d).
AllowedArt, photography, music, dance, yoga, pilates, or martial arts studio or schools Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedManufacturing, artisan or maker Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedTattoo or body piercing establishment Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d).
AllowedAll other business support service uses Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(e)(4).
AllowedAlcohol production facility, small-scale; shared commercial kitchen; Restaurant; and Restaurant, quick- service (without drive- through) Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(e)(5).
AllowedCatering or food processing for off-site consumption Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(e)(5)(C).
AllowedOffice, general business and professional Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d).
ConditionalModel studio Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedAll other personal service uses Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(e)(7).
ConditionalArena, stadium, or amphitheater Requires Special Exception approval (Sec. 27-3604) — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(e)(8)(A); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedCinema Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d).
AllowedClub or lodge, private Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedEntertainment establishment Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(e)(8)(C).
AllowedNightclub Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). Standards: 27-5102(e)(8)(C); Special Exception standards: Sec. 27-5400.
AllowedPerformance arts center Permitted by right — Table 27-5101(d). 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.
This is the zone. What about the parcel?
Zone rules are the starting point — the answer for a specific property also depends on lot
size, overlays, existing improvements and site conditions. Run a free address lookup to see
what applies to one property.