Maryland building code

Codes in force in Maryland

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹¹

Applies to

All buildings and structures within the State for which a local jurisdiction receives a building permit application¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes, within limits¹¹

Amendments

COMAR 09.12.51.04¹

Transition period

12 months¹¹

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹¹

Applies to

All buildings and structures within the State for which a local jurisdiction receives a building permit application¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes, within limits¹¹

Amendments

COMAR 09.12.51.04¹

Transition period

12 months¹¹

Energy code, residential

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹¹

Applies to

All buildings and structures within the State for which a local jurisdiction receives a building permit application¹

Local amendments allowed?

Stricter only¹¹

Amendments

COMAR 09.12.51.04¹

Transition period

12 months¹¹

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹¹

Applies to

All buildings and structures within the State for which a local jurisdiction receives a building permit application¹

Local amendments allowed?

Stricter only¹¹

Amendments

COMAR 09.12.51.04¹

Transition period

12 months¹¹

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Applies to

Baltimore County and WSSC jurisdictions are exempt from the state plumbing laws⁵

Local amendments allowed?

Local plumbing codes exist in some jurisdictions³

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Local amendments allowed?

Local mechanical codes exist in some jurisdictions³

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Adopted locally¹¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes⁵

Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁶

Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹²

State code: State Fire Prevention Code

Applies to

Not one- and two-family dwellings; not buildings in Baltimore City³

State code: Maryland Accessibility Code

Local amendments allowed?

Stricter only¹⁰

How Maryland adopts building codes

Md. Code, Public Safety §§ 12-503 to 12-505; COMAR 09.12.51

• Department of Labor adopts the IBC, including the IECC, as the Maryland Building Performance Standards. (1) The Department shall adopt by regulation, as the Maryland Building Performance Standards, the International Building Code, including the International Energy Conservation Code, with the modifications incorporated by the Department under subsection (b) of this section.¹¹
• 18 months. (2) The Department shall adopt each subsequent version of the Standards within 18 months after it is issued.¹¹
• Local jurisdictions must enforce the current Standards. (i) Each local jurisdiction shall implement and enforce the most current version of the Standards and any local amendments to the Standards.¹¹
• 12 months. (ii) Any modification of the Standards adopted by the State after December 31, 2009, shall be implemented and enforced by a local jurisdiction no later than 12 months after the modifications are adopted by the State.¹¹
• 2021 IBC, IRC and IECC. (1) 2021 International Building Code (International Code Council); (2) 2021 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (International Code Council); and (3) 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (International Code Council).¹
• Local enforcement of the 2021 cycle required by May 29, 2024. The effective date is May 29, 2023. State law requires local jurisdiction to start implementing & enforcing the new requirements by May 29, 2024.¹³
• IRC Appendices AF (Radon Control Methods) and AQ (Tiny Houses) adopted. 102.5 Appendices: The provisions in the Appendices AF Radon Control Methods and AQ Tiny Houses are adopted as part of the IRC…¹
• Enforcement is local. Enforcement of the Standards shall be the responsibility of the local jurisdiction in which the building or structure is located.¹

Applies to

Each building or structure with a permit application received on or after August 1, 1995¹¹

Can local rules be stricter?

Local amendments allowed and prevail on conflict¹¹

What local governments may change

Md. Code, Public Safety §§ 12-502(b), 12-504

• Local amendments allowed, with limits. A local jurisdiction may adopt local amendments to the Standards if the local amendments do not…¹¹
• May not weaken energy provisions. …weaken energy conservation and efficiency provisions contained in the Standards…¹¹
• May not weaken sprinkler provisions for townhouses and one- and two-family dwellings, subject to exceptions. …except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, weaken the automatic fire sprinkler systems provisions for townhouses and one– and two–family dwellings contained in the Standards…¹¹
• May not weaken wind provisions. …weaken wind design and wind–borne debris provisions contained in the Standards.¹¹
• Local zoning power preserved. (b) This subtitle does not alter or abrogate any zoning power or related authority that a county or municipal corporation had on October 1, 1993.¹¹
• Local amendments must reach the Department at least 15 days before taking effect. …at least 15 days before the effective date of the amendment…¹¹

Residential code in Maryland cities

The edition each city enforces, from the city’s own adoption page or ordinance.

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see Maryland building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.