What can I do with a vacant house in Prince George's County?

If you own a house in Prince George's County, MD and you are dealing with vacant property, this page covers what actually happens next — the local timeline, what it costs, and the options that stay open to you. Everything below is specific to Prince George's County and how sales are handled in MD, not generic national advice.

Direct Answer

If you own a vacant house in Prince George's County, you must register it with the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) within 30 days of the property becoming empty. You are legally required to keep the house and yard clean, secure the building against intruders, and pay annual registration fees. Your main choices are to renovate the home for yourself, rent it out to tenants, sell it to a new owner, or donate it to a non-profit organization.

Key Details

Owning a vacant property in Prince George's County brings several responsibilities that you cannot ignore. The county is very strict about vacant buildings because they can attract crime, lower neighbor property values, and create fire hazards.

Mandatory Registration

According to the Prince George's County Code, specifically Subtitle 13, any residential property that is vacant for more than 30 days must be registered. This applies to both houses you just bought and houses you have owned for a long time that became empty. The registration process requires you to provide your contact information (or the info for a local agent if you live far away) and pay a registration fee. Currently, the standard fee is $250, though this can change based on new county council bills like CB-080-2023, which recently aimed to increase oversight on unmaintained vacant buildings.

Maintenance Standards

You must follow the 'Clean Lot Code.' This means your grass cannot grow taller than 12 inches. You cannot store old furniture, trash, or broken cars in the yard. If the county finds your lot is messy, they will send you a Notice of Violation (NOV). If you do not fix it, the county will hire a crew to clean the lot or cut the grass and then send you a bill. If you don't pay that bill, it becomes a tax lien on your property, meaning they could sell your house at a tax sale to get their money back.

Security Requirements

A vacant house must be 'tight, telltale, and secure.' This means windows cannot be broken, doors must be locked, and the roof must not leak. If the house is open to the public (like a broken door where anyone can walk in), DPIE will declare it a nuisance. They might board it up themselves and charge you for the labor and materials.

MD-Specific Laws

Maryland state law sets the ground rules for property owners. Knowing these can help you avoid losing your property or facing huge legal bills.

Adverse Possession (Squatter's Rights)

In Maryland, under the Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-103, a person can legally take ownership of your property if they live there openly and without your permission for 20 continuous years. While 20 years sounds like a long time, it highlights the importance of checking on your vacant house regularly to ensure no one has moved in illegally.

Tax Sales

If you stop paying your property taxes, Maryland law (Tax-Property Article § 14-808) requires the County Collector to sell the tax lien on your property. In Prince George's County, these auctions usually happen on the second Monday in May. If someone buys your tax lien, you generally have 6 to 9 months to 'redeem' it by paying all back taxes plus high interest. If you don't, the person who bought the lien can go to court to take your deed and become the new owner.

Lead Paint Regulations

If your house was built before 1978, Maryland's Reduction of Lead Exposure in Children law is very important if you plan to rent. You must register the property with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and have a lead paint inspection every time a new tenant moves in. Failing to do this can lead to massive state fines.

Prince George's County Local Context

Prince George's County uses the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) to handle almost everything related to vacant houses.

The Enforcement Process

The county mostly finds out about vacant houses through the PGC311 system, where neighbors call 3-1-1 to complain about tall grass or a house looking abandoned. Once a complaint is made, an inspector will visit. If they see a violation, they will issue a citation. Fines can start at $500 and go up to $1,000 for repeat offenses.

Foreclosure Registry

If your vacant house is in the middle of a foreclosure, there are extra rules. Under Subtitle 13, Division 11, the person or bank handling the foreclosure must notify the DPIE Director within 5 days of filing the foreclosure papers. This ensures the county knows who is responsible for keeping the grass cut while the legal case is moving through the courts.

Municipalities

If your house is inside a specific city or town (like Laurel, Bowie, or Fairmount Heights), that city might have its own extra rules and even higher fees. For example, the Town of Fairmount Heights has its own vacant lot registration with separate fines. Always check if you are within 'unincorporated' Prince George's County or inside a city limit.

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Secure the Building: Go to the property today. Make sure every door and window is locked. If any are broken, board them up with plywood from the inside to make it look neater from the street.
2. Register with DPIE: Visit the Prince George's County DPIE website to fill out the Vacant Property Registration form. Paying the $250 fee now is much cheaper than paying a $1,000 fine later.
3. Maintain the Yard: Hire a local landscaping company to cut the grass every two weeks during the summer. This prevents neighbors from calling 3-1-1 and keeps the inspectors away.
4. Check Your Taxes: Look up your property on the Prince George's County Office of Finance website. Ensure your property taxes are paid so you don't end up in the May tax sale.
5. Pick a Strategy: Decide if you want to keep the house. If you want to rent it, apply for a 'Single-Family Rental License' through DPIE. If you want to sell it, contact a local realtor. If the house is in bad shape and you can't afford to fix it, you can contact the Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County to see if they have any programs to help or if you can donate the land.