Quick answer: District Heights is not a county-only permit jurisdiction. Prince George’s County controls the core ADU zoning framework, but the City of District Heights says its Code Enforcement office issues building permits, rental licenses and housing inspections within City limits.
As of September 18, 2026, the County’s ADU legislation remains in process, so homeowners should verify the final enacted County rules before relying on proposed size, parking or rental standards.
Prince George’s County controls the core ADU zoning rule
The County’s main ADU zoning proposal is CB-074-2026. CB-092-2026 addresses non-zoning ADU requirements, and CR-095-2026 addresses the potential State-deadline timing gap.
Use our Prince George’s County ADU guide for the Countywide status.
District Heights issues City building permits
The City’s Code Enforcement page states that the department issues building permits within City limits in addition to commercial/residential licenses and rental licenses.
That means a District Heights ADU owner should confirm both:
- what Prince George’s County requires for zoning and County building approval; and
- what District Heights requires under its municipal building-permit process.
Do not assume the County permit is the final approval simply because the ADU zoning rule comes from the County.
See our Maryland ADU permits-to-completion guide for the broader sequence.
The City also performs housing inspections
District Heights says its Code Enforcement responsibilities include housing inspections for apartments and rental homes. For a rental ADU, this adds a municipal compliance step after the unit is otherwise legal for occupancy.
An ADU project should therefore be planned as two questions:
- Can the unit be built and occupied under the final County ADU/zoning framework?
- If it will be rented, what City license and inspection requirements apply?
Rental ADUs need a District Heights rental license
The City’s current license and permit fee schedule lists an annual rental-unit license. The current posted fee is $100 for a single-family unit.
The City Code Enforcement office also states that it issues rental licenses and conducts housing inspections. A homeowner planning to lease an ADU should verify the current inspection, application and renewal requirements before advertising the unit.
For broader rental issues, use our Maryland ADU rental guide.
Short-term rental should not be assumed
Pending County bill CB-092-2026 specifically addresses a prohibition on short-term rental of ADUs. Until the County finishes the 2026 package, a District Heights owner should not build an ADU business case around Airbnb-style use without checking the final legislation.
Check the parcel before design
For a detached or expanded ADU, review the physical site before paying for final drawings. Our setback guide, lot-coverage guide and height guide cover the main dimensional checks.
The final County legislation can change which existing local standards remain applicable to ADUs, so verify the enacted rule rather than relying on a generic accessory-building assumption.
District Heights ADU homeowner checklist
- Confirm the property is inside District Heights. Use our Jurisdiction Finder.
- Confirm final Prince George’s County ADU legislation.
- Check site constraints: setbacks, lot coverage, height and utilities.
- Confirm the County permit path.
- Confirm the District Heights building permit.
- If renting, obtain the City rental license and satisfy housing inspection requirements.
- Verify the final County short-term-rental rule.
Bottom line
District Heights deserves its own municipality page because the City’s Code Enforcement office is directly involved in building permits, rental licensing and housing inspections. The County sets the ADU zoning framework, but the City remains part of the practical approval and rental-compliance path.
Sources checked September 18, 2026: Maryland Land Use § 4-504; Prince George’s County CB-074-2026, CB-092-2026 and CR-095-2026; City of District Heights Code Enforcement; City of District Heights License & Permit Fees. This page is for planning information and is not legal, zoning or architectural advice.
What to do next
Start by finding the office that reviews your property. A mailing city or a county guide does not establish your parcel’s authority.
- Find Who Reviews My Property.
- Obtain your parcel identifier, survey, floor plans and utility records.
- Ask the reviewing office which current rules, supporting documents and approvals apply.
- Continue to your planning workspace.
Enable JavaScript to prepare a downloadable next-step brief. Planning guidance is not permit approval.