On October 23, 2018, the Prince George’s County Council adopted a new Zoning Ordinance and new Subdivision Regulations for Prince George’s County. As part of the ongoing Countywide Map Amendment project new Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Zones (NCOZ) were approved for portions of the City of Greenbelt and the City of Mount Rainier. The Countywide Map Amendment was approved on Monday, November 29, 2021. The new Zoning Ordinance, including the Greenbelt Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Zone and the Mount Rainier Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Zone, took effect on April 1, 2022.  

The purpose of the NCOZ is to protect and preserve the unique development features and character of established neighborhoods throughout the County, and to promote new development that is compatible with the existing neighborhood character. Minimum criteria for the designation of an NCOZ are established in the new Zoning Ordinance; unique standards for each zone regulate development, redevelopment, and building alterations.