Building & Sign Permits

Residential and commercial property owners are required to obtain both a Prince George's County and a City of Bowie building permit for any major home or business improvements to their property. A City of Bowie permit must be issued prior to construction. All work is to be inspected and approved by County and City inspectors.

Please read the message below that addresses new building permit procedures.

Due to COVID-19 and the City of Bowie City Hall being currently closed to the public we are currently accepting building permits electronically. Payments are preferred to be made by credit card over the phone but we will accept checks through USPS mail.  

Submissions should be emailed to buildingpermits@cityofbowie.org or by calling 240-508-7148. Payments over the phone are accepted at that number as well.

Monthly reports of building permits issued by the City of Bowie
Annual reports of building permits issued by the City of Bowie 

County Permits

Applicants should first contact the Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement at 301-883-5776. Office staff will be able to determine if your project requires a building permit and if it does, what documents are necessary to bring when applying.

Building and sign permit applicants should take their documents and plans to:

Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement
9400 Peppercorn Place
1st Floor
Largo, MD 20774
Ph: 301-883-5776

Additional information on County building permits may be obtained from the Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement.

City Permits

Once the County permit is issued, the County permit and approved plans must be brought to Suite 140 at Bowie City Hall. There, residents can apply for a City permit. Projects requiring County and City permits include, but are not limited to:

Additions Decks and porches Driveway, driveway widening or constructing a vehicle parking pad. Erecting a shed larger than 150 sq. ft. of floor space or erecting a second storage shed of any size. Size restrictions may apply.

Fences greater than 4 feet in height (corner lot restrictions may apply) Garage conversions New homes Signs Basement remodeling Solar panels

The City of Bowie does not issue plumbing, electrical, or fire inspection permits. For more information about City permit requirements, please call 301-809-3008 or email.