- Overlay zones are superimposed over other zones and may modify uses permitted and standards for development. Often these overlay zones supplement development regulations with additional standards and regulations that address special area-specific conditions, features, or plans. Overlay zones in Prince George’s County consist of two classifications: policy area and other. “Policy area” overlay zones reinforce County or state policies concerning the Chesapeake Bay and the health, safety, and welfare of residents close to airports and Joint Base Andrews. They are more restrictive in parts of the County than the underlying zones in order to preserve and restore environmental features and water quality or to minimize noise and safety hazards. Other overlay zones are intended to help achieve unique or highly specialized County policies that the underlying zones are ill-suited to implement. There is one zone in this classification—the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Zone.
Consists of three sub-zones that, together, strive to meet State policy objectives to preserve, restore, and enhance tributary waters feeding into Chesapeake Bay.
RCO: Resource Conservation Overlay Zone
To provide adequate breeding, feeding, and wintering habitats for wildlife, to protect the land and water resources base necessary to support resource-oriented land uses, and to conserve existing woodland and forests for water quality benefits along the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Maximum residential density is 0.05 dwelling units per gross acre of land.
LDO: Limited Development Overlay Zone
To maintain and/or improve the quality of runoff entering the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and to maintain existing areas of natural habitat, while accommodating additional low or moderate-intensity development. Maximum residential density is generally the same as in the underlying zone but is capped at 4.0 dwelling units per net acre of land (regardless of the density permitted in the underlying zone).
IDO: Intense Development Overlay Zone
To conserve and enhance fish, wildlife, and plant habitats and improve the quality of runoff that enters the Chesapeake Bay, while accommodating existing residential, commercial, or industrial land uses. To promote new residential, commercial, and industrial land uses with development intensity limits. Maximum residential density is the same as in the underlying zone
Establishes standards of safety and compatibility for the occupants of land in the immediate vicinity of general aviation airports within Prince George’s County; encourages compatible land uses around airports; protects people and property in critical areas surrounding airports; and mitigates nuisances and hazards associated with airport operations while ensuring the protection of airspace around airports in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations Part 77, Surfaces.
Intended to ensure that development does not negatively affect flight operations at Joint Base Andrews and to protect the health, safety, and welfare by limiting or prohibiting certain types of development in designated height, noise, and safety zones.
Intended to protect and preserve the unique developments features and character of established neighborhoods and to promote new development that is compatible with existing neighborhood character. May amend or replace Zoning Ordinance development standards and/or zone standards for new development and expansion of existing structures to achieve the goals of the specific NCO Zone that has been established for a community.