LEONARDTOWN, MD – In compliance with State law and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Land Use & Growth Management (LUGM) will begin the adoption process for Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS). This initiative includes the incorporation of the International Code Council's 2021 version of the International Building Code, the International Energy Conservation Code, the International Residential Code, and the International Green Construction Code, as modified by the Maryland Department of Labor and published in COMAR. More information can be found online at: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/build/buildcodes.shtml.

St. Mary's County Government is obligated by law to ensure that the implementation and enforcement of the MBPS includes the following:

• Review and acceptance of appropriate plans for permitting.
• Issuance of building permits.
• Inspection of work authorized by building permits.
• Issuance of use and occupancy certificates.

LUGM will also review additional codes drafted by the International Code Council, such as the National Electrical Code and the Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Standards, which have been amended by various State agencies including the Maryland Department of Labor and the State Boards of Plumbing and Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration.

The Department's review of the 2021 International Codes aims to identify necessary modifications relevant to St. Mary's County. The following tentative timeline has been established and the Department intends to collaborate with stakeholders throughout the process.

• January 2024: Feedback solicited from various stakeholder boards, including the Building Code Board of Appeals, the Electrical Board, and the Plumbing & Gas Board.
• April 2024: Local amendments drafted and made available for public review and comment before consideration by the Commissioners of St. Mary's County (CSMC). Public comments can be emailed to bpservice@stmaryscountymd.gov.
• April 9, 2024: LUGM will submit a request to the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) to hold a public hearing on April 30, 2024, to receive public testimony prior to adoption.

 

LUGM is considering adopting the following codes, which have been partially modified by various State agencies responsible for creating them:

• COMAR 09.12.50
• COMAR 09.12.51

Free public digital access to review the following documents are available:

• 2021 International Building Code: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2021P2
• 2021 International Residential Code: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2021P1
• 2021 International Mechanical Code: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/imc2021p1
• 2018 International Existing Building Code: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IEBC2018
• 2021 International Energy Conservation Code: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IECC2021P1
• 2021 International Fuel Gas Code: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IFGC2021P2
• 2021 International Plumbing Code: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IPC2021P1
• 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ISPSC2021P1

To review the International Codes (i-Codes), visit: https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/maryland.

Questions may be directed to LUGM at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1542 or via email to bpservice@stmaryscountymd.gov. Residents can learn more about the Department of Land Use & Growth Management at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/lugm.