Locating Your Business In Bowie

Housing

Bowie's housing stock offers something for everyone; from the well maintained traditional homes of Levitt Bowie to the modern communities of Collington Manor and Northridge. Townhomes for the small family just starting out or for the empty-nester are available. For our senior citizens, Bowie has a large number of senior residences whose quality cannot be believed until visited in person. Condominium and rental apartments help to complete the residential offerings in Bowie.

Special Attractions

• Bowie Baysox - the AA minor league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.
• Seven golf courses within 10 minutes (three semi-private, two private, two public).
• Over 16 miles of hiker/biker trails.
• Bowie Playhouse.
• Summer outdoor concerts at Allen Pond Park.
• Bowie Railroad Station and Huntington Museum.
• Belair Mansion & Stable Museums.
• Indoor year-round ice rink.

Location

Bowie is easily accessible via major east/west and north/south highways, rail, air via Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Reagan National Airport and locally, Freeway Airport (general aviation aircraft). Bowie businesses and residents enjoy a 10 minute commute to the Washington Beltway and a 30 minute commute to the Baltimore Beltway. A 20 minute drive will take you to the bountiful attractions of Annapolis, the State Capital, and the Chesapeake Bay. We are positioned regionally with easy access to:

Important Government Facilities

Bowie is home to the U.S. Census Bureau Computer Facility and has several key government facilities on its doorstep.

Education

Bowie offers access to several world-famous educational institutions and community based facilities that provide talent and support to the local business community.

• Bowie State University
• The University of Maryland
• Prince George's Community College
• The Johns Hopkins University
• Howard University
• American University
• The U.S. Naval Academy
• George Washington University
• Georgetown University

Permits and Licensing

Note: Building permits are obtained from the Department of Community Services, (City Hall, Room 201, 301-809-3008), unless otherwise noted. Business Licensing, Electrical and Plumbing Permits, Occupancy Permits, and Liquor Licensing permits are not issued by the City of Bowie.

Business Licensing is obtained from the State of Maryland in most cases. For more information, check www.blis.state.md.us and/or http://compnet.comp.state.md.us/red/slb/licenses.asp.

Electrical and Plumbing Permits, Occupancy Permits, and Liquor Licensing permits are to be obtained from Prince George’s County and are not issued by the City of Bowie.

For more information, visit the Prince George's County Website.

City of Bowie Building Permit Information:

All applications for issuance of a City of Bowie building permit must be accompanied by:

1. Plans and specifications drawn to scale.
2. A site plan showing to scale the size and location of all structures on the site, distances from lot lines, established street grades and proposed finished grades. The site plan shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary survey.
3. Location of private sewage disposal system where applicable.
4. Engineering details including structural, mechanical, and electrical work, including computations, stress diagrams and other essential technical data. All engineering plans and computations shall bear the signature and seal of the engineer or architect responsible for the design.
5. Approved Prince George’s County Building and Occupancy Permit.

Business/commercial property owners:

Permits include:

• New construction of building.
  
• Signage, includes:
  a. Temporary (i.e. banners, advertisement, etc.)
  b. Permanent (i.e. entrance to development, etc.)
  
• Demolition of any existing building, or portion thereof.
  
• Soil & erosion permit to be obtained prior to the commencement of any grading, clearing, or other earth change within the City of Bowie, and obtained prior to City of Bowie Building Permit. The Soil and Erosion permit is obtained from the Public Works Department, Public Works Drive, 301-809-2344.
  
• Street/Storm Drain Permit for street and storm drainage construction, obtained prior to City of Bowie Permit. The Street/Storm Drain Permit is obtained from the Public Works Department, Public Works Drive, 301-809-2344.
  
• Parking spaces (new and additional), driveway/entrance/access way, etc.
  
• Additions, physical changes to existing buildings (i.e. expansions, interior reconstructions).
• Utility permits for all work performed within the public right-of-way related to the repair or modification of public facilities.

Building Permit fee - $3 per $1000 of estimated construction cost.

Soil & Erosion fee -

$20 application fee
$100 first disturbed acre, plus
$75 per acre 1.1 through 5, plus
$25 per each additional acre disturbed

Street/Storm Drain Permit fee - 7.5% of estimated construction cost.

Homeowner Permits include:

• Home improvement (interior/exterior) including:

a. Additions
b. Fences (over 4-feet high)
c. Pools
d. Basement/garage renovations
e. Decks
f. Porches
g. Driveway (new or expansion from the apron)
h. Sheds (although not requiring a permit, must conform to code - no larger than 150 sq. ft., no taller than 15' high, no roll up garage doors, must be located in the rear yard and at least two feet from side and rear property lines on an inside lot and no closer to the side street than the side wall of the house on a corner lot)

Building Permit fee - $3 per $1000 of estimated construction cost (minimum $10).

• Rental Property License – City of Bowie program requires registration in
  program, yearly rental code compliance property inspection, and annual
  license fee (Single family - $70 per unit, Apartments - $35 per unit).

Other Permits

• Animal Licenses (City Hall, Room 100, 301-809-3002)
  
• Parking in select residential areas (City Hall, Room 201, 301-809-3008)
  Fee: Free 1. Near Bowie High
  2. Near Belair Annex
  3. Near St. Pius
  
• Block Party (City Hall, Room 201, 301-809-3008)
  Fee: $5.00
  
• Picnic reservations
  Permits for City Parks
  
• Special Events Concessions (City Hall, Room 203, 301-809-3011)
  Beer/Wine (non-profit groups) $100
  Food/Drink (commercial groups) $100
  Food/Drink (non-profit groups) $50
  Games and Raffles (non-profit groups) No Charge
  Non-profit groups sponsoring an area 20% of Net Proceeds
  
• Solicitors permit (City Hall, Room 201, 301-809-3008)
  Fee: $25.00
  Must present County permit, 2 1"x1" photos, and completed application