Wicomico County, MD Chapter 141 Fees

[HISTORY: Adopted by the County Council of Wicomico County 6-18-1991 by Res. No. 358, amended 8-13-1991. (Resolution No. 358 superseded former Ch. 141, Fees, Art. I, Additional Fee for Marriage Licenses, adopted 10-16-1984 by Res. No. 281.) Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 141-1 Authority.

[Amended 10-17-2006 by Bill No. 2006-11]

The County Council hereby establishes the following fees.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Charges and fees are set from time to time by resolution of the County Council.

§ 141-2 Animals.

[Added 11-3-1998 by Res. No. 502; amended 5-20-2003 by Res. No. 562; 4-5-2011 by Res. No. 46-2011; 4-16-2019 by Bill No. 2019-01]

A. Rabies Clinic. The fee for vaccination at the Rabies Clinic offered by the Health Department pursuant to § 133-3A(2) shall be $10 for each animal vaccinated.

B. Rabies tags. The cost of the rabies tag provided by the Animal Control Authority pursuant to § 133-3A(3) or a replacement tag pursuant to § 133-4C shall be $3.

C. Dog licenses. The cost of a dog license for Wicomico County issued in the course of a rabies vaccination shall be $0. An administrative fee of $3 shall be payable for all dog licenses issued by the Animal Control Authority as provided by § 133-4A.

D. Breeder license. The cost of a breeder license shall be $50. An administrative fee of $50 shall be payable for all breeder licenses issued by the Animal Control Authority as provided by § 133-24B.

§ 141-3 Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development.

[Amended 4-3-2001 by Res. No. 528]

A. Fees enumerated. The following fees shall be collected by the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development:

(1) Planning Commission. The following application or review fees shall be collected:

(a) Comprehensive development plan (commercial development): $250, plus $10 per 1,000 square feet.

(b) Comprehensive development plan (residential development): $250, plus $10 per unit.

(c) (Reserved)

(d) (Reserved)

(e) Rezoning: $200, plus $15 per acre.

(f) Text amendment: $200 per request.

(g) Ordinance permit: $100, plus advertising costs.

(h) Certificate of design/site plan approval: $250, plus $10 per unit or $10 per acre.

(i) Subdivisions:

[1] Sketch plat: $50, plus $15 per lot.

[2] Preliminary plat: $100.

[3] Final plat: $100.

(j) Site plan/condominium plat and documents (commercial): $250, plus $10 per 1,000 square feet.

(k) Site plan/condominium plat and documents (residential): $250, plus $10 per unit.

(l) Paleochannel site plan or revised site plan: $100.

(m) (Reserved)

(2) Board of Appeals. The following application or review fee shall be collected: all requests or appeals before the Board of Appeals: $300 inclusive of advertising costs.

[Amended 7-6-2004 by Bill No. 2004-6; 8-4-2015 by Bill No. 2015-08]

(3) Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas (CBCA). The following application or review fees shall be collected:

(a) Certificate of compliance:

[1] Building permits: $75.

[2] Major subdivisions:

[a] Preliminary: $100.

[b] Final: $100 plus $25 per lot.

[3] Minor subdivisions: $50.

[4] Plan approval/special projects: $50.

[5] Site plans: $50.

[6] Sketch plat: $50.

[7] Resubdivisions: $50.

[8] Buffer management plan: $50.

(b) Growth allocation applications: $500.

(4) Forest conservation program.

(a) Subdivisions (one to three lots): $200.

(b) Subdivisions (four to 15 lots): $350.

(c) Subdivisions (16 to 35 lots): $500.

(d) Subdivisions of more than 35 lots: $700, plus $20 per lot.

(e) Commercial development: $200, plus $4 per 1,000 square feet of site impact area.

(f) Forest conservation exemption forms: $30.

(g) Relocation of forest conservation easement requests: $200, plus attorney fees and advertising costs.

(5) Subdivision review fees. The following application or review fees shall be collected:

[Added 12-18-2012 by Bill No. 2012-13]

(a) Minor subdivisions under Chapter 200, § 200-3A(1) through (4) (three lots or fewer): $225.

(b) Major subdivisions (four lots or more).

[1] The review of this type of subdivision involves four steps, sketch, preliminary, construction, improvements plan and final.

[a] Sketch plat: $325.

[b] Preliminary plat: $425.

[c] Final plat: $500, plus $30 per lot.

[2] The fees set forth in this subsection shall represent the costs of two reviews of each stage by the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development. If, at the time of the third submittal, the plat/plats do not address all of the Department's comments, an additional charge equivalent to 50% of the applicable review fee shall be imposed.

[3] These fees shall not apply to minor subdivisions created pursuant to Chapter 200, § 200-3B, C, D and E.

(c) Resubdivision. A fee of $225 shall be charged for resubdivisions as defined in Chapter 200, § 200-9.

(6) Floodplain permit fees. The following application or review fees shall be collected:

(a) Floodplain permit. A fee of $125 shall be charged for the issuance of a floodplain permit.

(7) Permit fees. The following application or review fees shall be collected:

(a) Electrical permits pursuant to §§ 138-24B and 117-5: $20.

B. Fees enumerated. The following fees shall be collected by the Code Enforcement Division.

[Added 6-21-2005 by Res. No. 597]

(1) Abandoned vehicle permits: $100.

C. Firesafety fees.

[Added 12-18-2012 by Bill No. 2012-13]

(1) Fire Code plan review and all required inspections for final certificate of occupancy:

[Amended 3-18-2014 by Bill No. 2014-06]

(a) Basic fee. For all construction except one- and two-family dwellings, whether new or renovation, a fee of 60% of the building permit fee charged by the issuing building department, but no less than $75, shall be levied. This fee includes the first reinspection and one final inspection. Not included in this fee is plan review, all other reinspections and related inspections of specialized fire protection equipment. The fee is payable upon submittal of the initial plans for review to the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development. As an alternate payment schedule, the fee may be paid in two parts: 25% upon submittal of the plans for review and the remaining 75% of the fee to be paid prior to the Fire Protection Division issuing the transmittal of plans review for Fire Code compliance to the submitting party and the applicable building department.

(b) Expedited fees. If the requesting party wants the plan review and inspection to be expedited, to be done within three business days, the charge will be 20% of the basic fee, but no less than $500. This is in addition to the basic fee.

(c) After-hours inspection fees. If the requesting party wants an after-county-business-hours inspection, there will be a two-hour minimum per inspector at the rate of $100 per hour. Inspections that are normally performed after hours, such as fire pump tests and fire line flush tests, are exempt from this fee. This fee must be paid in advance.

(2) Fire protection system plan review and inspection:

(a) Fire alarm and detection systems: $100 per fire alarm control panel, plus $1.50 per fire alarm initiating device (i.e., a device which activates any alarm signal connected to the fire alarm control panel, such as a smoke or heat detector, fire alarm pull station, water flow alarm, valve closure alarm, pump running alarm, trouble alarm, etc.), plus $1.50 per notification device (including alarm bells, horns, flashing lights, and other warning or alarm devices which are activated by the above initiating devices). This fee includes plan review and inspection of wiring, controls, alarm and detection equipment and related appurtenances needed to provide a complete system and the witnessing of one final acceptance test per system of the completed installation. The fee applies only to systems equipped with a fire alarm control panel. All other fire alarm and detection systems are included in the fee charged for plan review and use and occupancy inspection as provided for in Subsection C(1). Reinspection fees are as provided in Subsection C(2)(k).

(b) Sprinkler, water spray and combined sprinkler and standpipe systems: minimum fee of $125 per system; $1.50 per sprinkler head and $2.50 per extended sprinkler head per NFPA 13 and 13R systems; $75 per dwelling unit for one- and two-family dwellings, including townhouses and manufactured homes per NFPA 13D systems. This includes review of shop drawings, system inspection and witnessing of one underground flush test, one hydrostatic test, and one final acceptance test per floor or system. Flush test of underground fire sprinkler supply pipe is $75. Hydrostatic test of underground sprinkler piping is an additional $75. Reinspection fees are as provided in Subsection C(2)(k).

(c) Standpipe systems: minimum fee of $100 per system, $50 per 100 linear feet of piping or portion thereof. The fee applies to separate standpipe and hose systems installed in accordance with NFPA 14 standard for the installation of standpipe and hose systems as incorporated by reference in the State Fire Prevention Code (combined sprinkler systems and standpipe systems are included in the fee schedule prescribed for sprinkler systems) and applies to all piping associated with the standpipe system, including connection to a water supply, piping risers, laterals, Fire Department connection(s), dry or draft fire hydrants or suction connections, hose connections, piping joints and connections, and other related piping and appurtenances; includes plan review and inspection of all piping, control valves, connections and other related equipment and appurtenances needed to provide a complete system and the witnessing of one hydrostatic test, and one final acceptance test of the completed system. Flush tests and hydrostatic tests of underground sprinkler system pipe or supply pipe apply as specified in Subsection C(2)(b). Reinspection fees are as provided in Subsection C(2)(k).

(d) Fire pumps and water storage tanks: minimum fee of $125 per pump; $0.50 per gpm of rated pump capacity; $75 per fire protection water tank; $75 per witnessing underground water main hydro tests; and $75 per witnessing the fire main flush. The fees include plan review and inspection of pump and all associated valves, piping, controllers, driver and other related equipment and appurtenances needed to provide a complete system and the witnessing of one pump acceptance test of the completed installation. Limited service pumps for residential sprinkler systems as permitted for NFPA 13D systems and water storage tanks for NFPA 13D systems are exempt. Reinspection fees are as provided in Subsection C(2)(k).

(e) Gaseous and chemical extinguishing systems: minimum fee of $100 per system; $1 per pound of extinguishing agent (reserve supplies of agent are exempt). The fee applies to halon, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, wet chemical and other types of fixed automatic fire suppression systems which use a gas or chemical compound as the primary extinguishing agent. The fee includes plan review and inspection of all piping, controls, equipment and other appurtenances needed to provide a complete system in accordance with referenced NFPA standards and the witnessing of one performance or acceptance test per system of the completed installation. Reinspection fees are as provided in Subsection C(2)(k).

(f) Foam systems: minimum fee of $100 per system; $75 per nozzle or local applicator device and $1.50 per sprinkler head for combined sprinkler/foam system. The fee applies to fixed extinguishing systems which use a foaming agent to control or extinguish a fire in a flammable liquid installation, aircraft hangar and other recognized applications. The fee includes plan review and inspection of piping, controls, nozzles, equipment and other related appurtenances needed to provide a complete system and the witnessing of one hydrostatic test and one final acceptance test of the completed installation. Flush tests and hydrostatic tests of underground fire sprinkler piping are charged per Subsection C(2). Reinspection fees are as provided in Subsection C(2)(k).

(g) Smoke control systems: minimum fee of $200 per system of protected or controlled space; $100 per 30,000 cubic feet of volume or portion thereof of protected or controlled space. The fee applies to smoke exhaust systems, stair pressurization systems, smoke control systems and other recognized air-handling systems which are specifically designed to exhaust or control smoke or create pressure zones to minimize the hazard of smoke spread due to fire. The fee includes plan review and inspection of system components and the witnessing of one performance acceptance test of the complete installation. Reinspection fees are as provided in Subsection C(2)(k).

(h) Flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks: minimum fee of $75 per tank and $0.005 per gallon of the maximum tank capacity. This includes review and one inspection of the tank and associated hardware, including dispensing equipment. Tanks used to provide fuel or heat or other utility service to a building are exempt. Reinspection fees are as provided in Subsection C(2)(k).

(i) Emergency generators. Emergency generators that are a part of the fire/life safety system of a building or structure shall be charged $100. This includes the review of the proposed use of the generator, fuel supply and witnessing one performance evaluation test. Reinspection fees are as provided in Subsection C(2)(k).

(j) Marinas and piers: minimum fee of $100 per structure; $25 per 100 linear feet of marina or pier; plus $1 per slip. Reinspection fees are as provided in Subsection C(2)(k).

(k) Reinspection and retest fees. After the initial inspection and/or test, a fee of $100 will be charged for the first reinspection, $250 for the second reinspection and $500 for the third and subsequent reinspections. The reinspection fee must be paid before the reinspection will be scheduled.

(l) Consultation fees. Fees for consultation and technical assistance shall be charged at the following rates: Firesafety Inspector: $75 per hour; Fire Protection Specialist: $100 per hour.

(3) Firesafety inspections: The following fees are not intended to be applied to inspections conducted in response to a specific complaint of an alleged Fire Code violation by an individual, governmental agency or Wicomico County Planning, Zoning and Community Development. These fees are payable upon request of the inspection. Failure to make payment, which includes rejection of a check by a financial institution, shall result in appropriate action, and no further inspection will be conducted. This may result in denial of the issuance or renewal of a permit or license. All of the following inspections are subject to reinspection fees in Subsection C(3)(m). Requested expedited inspections and after-hours inspections shall be charged as listed in Subsection C(1)(b) and (c).

(a) Assembly occupancies (including outdoor festivals):

[1] Class A (more than 1,000 persons): $300.

[2] Class B (301 to 1,000 persons): $200.

[3] Class C (51 to 300 persons): $100.

[4] Fairgrounds: nine buildings or fewer: $200.

[5] Fairgrounds: 10 buildings or more: $400.

[6] Recalculation of occupant load: $75.

[7] Replacement or duplicate of certificate: $25.

(b) Education occupancies:

[1] Elementary school (includes kindergarten and pre-K facilities): $100.

[2] Middle, junior, and senior high schools: $150.

[3] Family and group day-care homes (family day-care inspected every two years): $75.

[4] Nursery or day-care centers: $100.

(c) Health care occupancies:

[1] Ambulatory health care centers (per 3,000 square feet or portion thereof): $150.

[2] Hospitals, nursing homes, limited-care facilities, domiciliary care homes: $100 per building, plus $2 per patient bed.

(d) Detention and correctional occupancies: $100 per building, plus $2 per bed.

(e) Residential:

[1] Hotels and motels: $75 per building, plus $2 per guest room.

[2] Dormitories: $2 per bed, plus $75 minimum per building.

[3] Apartments: $2 per apartment, plus $75 minimum per building.

[4] Lodging or rooming house: $75, plus $2 per bed.

[5] One- and two-family dwellings (including alternate living units): $75.

[6] Board and care home: $100 per building, plus $2 per bed.

(f) Mercantile occupancies:

[1] Class A (over 30,000 square feet): $200.

[2] Class B (3,000 to 30,000 square feet): $100.

[3] Class C (under 3,000 square feet): $75.

(g) Business occupancies: $75 per 3,000 square feet or portion thereof.

(h) Industrial or storage occupancies, per 5,000 square feet or portion thereof:

[1] Low- or ordinary hazard: $75.

[2] High-hazard: $100.

(i) Common areas of multitenant occupancies (i.e., shopping centers, high-rises, etc.): $45 per 10,000 square feet or portion thereof.

(j) Mobile home communities and campgrounds:

[1] Vehicular campgrounds: $75 per facility, plus $2 per campsite.

[2] Nonvehicular campgrounds:

[a] With sleep accommodations: $150, plus $2 per bed.

[b] Without sleep accommodations: $75.

[3] Mobile home communities: $75 per facility, plus $2 per site.

(k) Outside storage of combustible materials (scrap tires, tree stumps, lumber, etc.): $100 per acre.

(l) Outside storage of flammable or combustible liquids (drums, tanks, etc.): $100 per 5,000 square feet or portion thereof.

(m) Reinspection. If more than one reinspection is required to assure that a previously identified Fire Code violation is corrected, a fee of $100 will be charged for the second reinspection, $250 for the third reinspection and $500 for the fourth and subsequent reinspections will be assessed until the violation is corrected.

(n) Consultation fees. Fees for consultation and technical assistance shall be charged at the following rates: Firesafety Inspector: $75 per hour; Fire Protection Specialist: $100 per hour.

(o) Marinas and piers: $100 per facility, plus $1 per slip.

(p) Unclassified inspection: $75 per hour.

(4) Refunds. Projects canceled before a permit is issued are eligible for a refund of 50% of the fees paid. Such a refund must be requested in writing to the Fire Protection Division within one year of the payment of the fee and the request must detail the reasons for the refund request. If the alternate payment schedule was used, the first 25% payment cannot be refunded if the project is canceled before a permit is issued. If the alternate payment schedule was used and both the 25% payment and the 75% payment were made, the building permit was issued and the project was then canceled. The project is eligible for a refund of 50% of the fees paid. Such a refund must be requested in writing to the Fire Protection Division within one year of the payment of the fee, and the request must detail the reasons for the refund request.

[Amended 3-18-2014 by Bill No. 2014-06]

(5) Full refund. Projects submitted for review and canceled within 72 hours of the project being submitted for review are eligible for a full refund of fire safety fees paid. Such a refund must be requested in writing to the Fire Protection Division within 72 hours of the project being submitted for review, and the request must detail the reasons for the refund request.

[Added 3-18-2014 by Bill No. 2014-06]

§ 141-4 Department of Public Works.

[Amended 12-2-1997 by Res. No. 491; 4-3-2001 by Res. No. 528]

A. Fees enumerated. The following fees shall be collected by the Department of Public Works:

(1) Subdivision review fees. The following application or review fees shall be collected:

[Amended 6-15-2004 by Res. No. 578; 12-18-2012 by Bill No. 2012-13]

(a) Construction improvements plan: $2,000, plus $20 per lot.

(2) Stormwater management review fees, Chapter 196, shall be as follows:

[Amended 6-15-2004 by Res. No. 578; 5-18-2010 by Res. No. 78-2010]

(a) Concept review: $400.

(b) Waiver review: $400.

(c) Preliminary site development:

[1] Site plan: $1,000, plus $50 per disturbed acre or portion thereof. There will be a fee of $100 for each re-review.

[2] Subdivision: $2,000, plus $50 per lot. There will be a fee of $200 for each re-review.

(d) As-built/final plan review:

[1] Site plan: $200.

[2] Subdivision: $600.

(e) Standard plan: $50.

(f) These fees shall not apply to the developments for which there will be no engineering review needed or required.

(3) [1]Inspection fees and costs.

(a) A fee for inspections made by County inspectors of street or road construction, including drainage, grading, curb and gutter, and stabilization shall be imposed in the amount of 3% of the cost of stabilization material as verified by weight tickets.

(b) A fee for inspection of paving at the rate of $200 per day, prorated on an hourly basis for an eight-hour day.

(c) Street signs, including name signs and traffic control signs at cost.

[1] Editor’s Note: Former Subsection A(3), Floodplain permit, amended 6-15-2004 by Res. No. 578, was repealed 12-18-2012 by Bill No. 2012-13. For current provisions, see § 141-3A(5). Bill No. 2012-13 also renumbered former Subsection A(4) through (6) as Subsection A(3) through (5).

(4) Permits fees.

[Amended 5-6-2003 by Res. No. 560; 12-18-2012 by Bill No. 2012-13]

(a) Roads (utility permit): A fee of $110 shall be charged for the issuance of a utility permit and related inspections.

(5) Solid Waste Division.

[Added 5-6-2003 by Res. No. 560]

(a) Brush/yard waste disposal, commercial: 1/2 of the tipping fee.

(b) Transfer station permit, out of County: $90.

(c) Transfer station permit; in County: $60.

[Added 5-21-2013 by Res. No. 65-2013]

(d) Tipping fee, Newland Park landfill: $67 per ton; minimum tipping fee: $10.[2]

[Added 6-15-2010 by Res. No. 91-2010; amended 5-21-2013 by Res. No. 65-2013; 6-1-2021 by Res. No. 65-2021]

[2] Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B, Firesafety fees, as amended 8-3-2010 by Res. No. 101-2010, was repealed 12-18-2012 by Bill No. 2012-13. For current provisions, see § 141-3C.

(e) Second household permit: $30.

[Added 6-1-2021 by Res. No. 65-2021]

(6) 

Pipe installation fees. The following shall be applied and collected:

[Added 3-5-2013 by Bill No. 2013-02]

A. Inspection and stake out: $150.

B. Twenty-foot-long pipes.

(1) Install pipes nine by 14 inches through 18 inches in diameter: $1,250.

(2) Install pipes 24 through 36 inches in diameter: $2,000.

C. Thirty-foot-long pipes.

(1) Install pipes nine by 14 inches through 18 inches in diameter: $1,600.

(2) Install pipes 24 through 36 inches in diameter: $2,950.

D. Forty-foot-long pipes.

(1) Install pipes nine by 14 inches through 18 inches in diameter: $1,800.

(2) Install pipes 24 through 36 inches in diameter: $3,250.

E. Farm entrance (nonresidential), fifty-foot-long pipes.

(1) Install pipes nine by 14 inches through 18 inches in diameter: $2,000.

(2) Install pipes 24 through 36 inches in diameter: $3,450.

F. Farm entrance (nonresidential), sixty-foot-long pipes.

(1) Install pipes nine by 14 inches through 18 inches in diameter: $2,350.

(2) Install pipes 24 through 36 inches in diameter: $3,700.

G. Nonstandard pipe installation.

(1) Requests for additions to existing driveway pipes will be charged a per-foot installation cost for size of pipe requested.

(2) Requests for multiple pipe installations being installed at the same time will be charged the single installation price for that length and size of pipe.

(3) Requests for replacing existing pipes will be charged as a new installation.

H. For pipes over 36 inches in diameter; the cost will be calculated by the County at the time of application.

I. Installation by an entity other than the County:

(1) Inspection and stake out: $150.

(2) Review fee: $350.

§ 141-5 Marriage licenses.

[Amended 10-17-2006 by Bill No. 2006-11]

A. Imposition of fees; purpose. There is hereby imposed an additional fee of $25 for marriage licenses to be used to offset the costs of providing domestic violence programs.