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1. What is land use planning?

Land use planning is primarily concerned with guiding and shaping new development and redevelopment while protecting significant environmental, historic or cultural features. Land use planning in Prince George's County includes the approval and implementation of plans that vary in scale and level of detail.

For more information, please call 301-952-4225.

2. Whom can I contact regarding planning issues in my area?

A list of Community Planning Division staff and their community planning responsibilities is shown on the Community Planners' Responsibilities page.

3. Can our staff provide planning / design assistance to your city, town, or community?

Yes. Staff is available to provide planning and design assistance to your city, town, and community. Our professionals possess skills in many specialized areas such as architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and transportation planning. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission offers a Planning Assistance to Municipalities and Communities Program. This program is available upon written request to:

Chairman of the Prince George's County Planning Board

14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive

Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772

For further details and examples of eligible projects for design assistance, please refer to the Planning Assistance to the

Planning Assistance for Your Community page.

4. How are plans prepared?

Subregion, area, and sector master plans are prepared by the Planning Department staff working in conjunction with the local community. Following a public hearing, plan recommendations are adopted by the Planning Board, which are presented to the District Council. Once approved by the District Council, plan recommendations guide land use decisions that affect the physical growth and development of the area so that consistent and appropriate action may be taken. Adopted and approved plans do not take the place of existing zoning, nor do plans require that rezoning requests be automatically granted or denied. They do, however, provide a basis for comprehensive rezoning consistent with the land use recommendation of the plan. In most instances, immediately following or concurrently with approval of an area plan, the Planning Board initiates comprehensive rezoning, also called a sectional map amendment.

For more information, please call 301-952-4225.

5. What is the Plan Prince George's 2035?

The Plan Prince George's 2035 is the County's General Plan that helps guide future growth, development, and public investments in Prince George’s County. It establishes policies and strategies to achieve the County’s long-term vision. 

The General Plan reflects the values and priorities of the County’s residents, property and business owners, community leaders, and elected officials, while also establishing broad policies on:

• economic development
• infrastructure and public facility improvements
• transportation (rail, road, bus, pedestrian, bicycle)
• housing
• community health and wellness

For more information, please call 301-952-4225.

6. What are functional plans?

Functional master plans are countywide in scope and are generally prepared at the request of the District Council. Functional plans amend the General Plan where appropriate; they have been prepared for highways, historic sites, parks and recreation, trails, schools, and public safety. Presently, the county is preparing a functional plan for transportation (Master Plan of Transportation).

For more information, please call 301-952-4225.

7. What are sector plans?

Sector plans, sometimes referred to as small area plans, are prepared for areas identified as requiring a greater level of detailed study. Critical environmental issues, complex transportation problems, or land use issues may call for this finer level of detail. Sector plans can be prepared for Metro transit areas, commercial corridors, town centers, employment centers, economic focal points, and areas of community concern. These plans often emphasize urban design and may include a sectional map amendment.

For more information, please call 301-952-4225.

8. What is a sectional map amendment (SMA)?

A sectional map amendment (SMA) is a comprehensive rezoning amendment for properties within an entire geographic area, such as a subregion, planning area or part of a planning area.The purpose of an SMA is to revise zoning patterns to conform to recommendations of an area plan or sector plan. SMAs adopted for most plans with the exception of the general plan and functional master plans.

For more information, please call 301-952-4225.

9. What are subregion and area plans?

The county has been divided into seven subregions that are further divided into 37 planning areas, excluding the City of Laurel, which has its own planning authority. Each planning area is a fairly cohesive district and is typically bounded by a major highway or a natural border such as a stream valley. Subregion plans encompass several planning areas and establish recommendations that guide the more specific land-use recommendations offered in area plans. Area plans then typically examine individual parcels of land and other very specific recommendations regarding their use or physical design. The basic components of subregion and area plans include the following: goals and objectives, existing and recommended land uses, existing and proposed zoning, and recommendations for economic development, housing, community character, environmental infrastructure, transportation and public facilities. Demographic information, including data on population, dwelling units, and employment, may also be included. The plans include maps and text.

For more information, please call 301-952-4225.

10. What are the basic components of subregion and area plans?

The basic components of subregion and area plans include the following: goals and objectives, existing and recommended land uses, existing and proposed zoning, and recommendations for transportation and public facilities including schools, parks, libraries, and fire and police stations. Demographic information, including data on population, dwelling units, and employment, may also be included. The plans include maps and text, and may include a sectional map amendment.

For more information, please call 301-952-4225.