[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Worcester County 8-25-1981 by Bill No. 81-5 as Title 1 of the Building Regulations Article of the 1981 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The County Commissioners of Worcester County are authorized to adopt and to promulgate and from time to time to amend, revise, rescind or change: (1) a building code, to provide for the construction, maintenance and repair of any and all buildings and structures located within the county; (2) a plumbing code, to provide for the construction, maintenance and repair of pipes and all other manner of fixtures and devices for the plumbing, water and sewerage facilities in or about all buildings and structures located within the county; (3) an electrical code, to provide for the installation, construction, maintenance and repair of all types of electrical equipment, fixtures, appliances and devices. In either instance, the County Commissioners are authorized: (1) to include provisions and requirements reasonably designed to secure and preserve the public health, safety and convenience; (2) to provide for the appointment and employment of inspectors and other employees to enforce and administer the code, and to provide penalties for a violation of the code; (3) to incorporate therein by reference any code or portion thereof proposed by any governmental agency or by any professional or trade association for general distribution as a model or standard for either a building code, a plumbing code or an electrical code, as the case may be; but a subsequent amendment to a change in any code so adopted in whole or in part by reference is not incorporated into the building or plumbing code of Worcester County until specifically considered and added by the County Commissioners.
[Amended 6-21-1988 by Bill No. 86-13; 9-13-1988 by Bill No. 88-13; 9-13-1988 by Bill No. 88-14; 1-17-1989 by Bill No. 88-21; 4-10-1989 by Bill No. 90-4; 11-20-1990 by Bill No. 89-10; 11-20-1990 by Bill No. 89-14; 2-12-1991 by Bill No. 91-1; 7-16-1991 by Bill No. 91-11; 6-30-1992 by Bill No. 92-12; 2-9-1993 by Bill No. 93-1; 3-17-1998 by Bill No. 98-3; 3-18-2003 by Bill No. 03-4; 9-21-2010 by Bill No. 10-8]
(a) 
Applicability. The provisions of this section shall apply to all buildings and structures and modifications thereto for which permits are required and have not been obtained prior to July 1, 2010, and shall apply in all areas of the County except in incorporated municipalities.
(b) 
Maryland Building Performance Standards. The current edition of the Maryland Building Performance Standards or its successor as may be amended from time to time by resolution of the County Commissioners shall apply to all buildings and structures and modifications thereto.
(c) 
Inspections. The County department designated by the County Commissioners shall be responsible for performing such inspections as may be deemed necessary and appropriate to ensure compliance with this section.
(d) 
Conflicts. Where a conflict in codes, public local laws, or standards duly adopted by the County Commissioners occurs, the stricter requirements shall apply.
(e) 
Violations. Any person who violates the provisions of this section will be guilty of a civil infraction.