Purpose. This chapter is adopted to establish and adopt the Maryland
State Plumbing Code as the Official Plumbing Code for Allegany County
and to establish procedures for the enforcement of the code.
Adoption. The Allegany County Commissioners hereby adopt the Maryland
State Plumbing Code, 1984 Edition, and any subsequent revisions, as
the Official Plumbing Code for Allegany County, Maryland.
Interpretation. Any questions of interpretation of the Plumbing Code
will be forwarded to the State Board of Commissioners of Practical
Plumbing by the party desiring such interpretation.
Licensed master plumber. With the exception of the item mentioned in Subsection D(1), all plumbing work performed in Allegany County is to be done by a licensed master, journey or apprentice plumber, under the direction and control of a master plumber licensed to practice in the State of Maryland or under the direction and control of a master plumber licensed to practice in Allegany County or Garrett County.
Repairs. Plumbing work associated with repairs shall be permitted
by a permit obtained through the local jurisdiction which issues building
permits for a particular governmental unit.
New construction. Plumbing work associated with new construction
shall be inspected prior to making final connection with any public
water or sewer facility or with any private water or sewer system,
including wells and septic tanks.
Public system taps. No final tap for water or sewer service
shall be made operational by any Sanitary Commission, Water Commission,
municipality or any publicly or privately owned utility company until
the utility is notified in writing by the Plumbing Inspector that
the plumbing work is approved.
Private systems. No well or septic system or other private water
or sewer system shall be given final approval to be made operational
by the Allegany County Health Department until the Health Department
is notified in writing by the Plumbing Inspector that the plumbing
work is approved.
Repairs. Except for emergency repairs and those items excepted in Subsection D(2), no plumbing repair work is to be made operational until approved by the Plumbing Inspector.
An exception to Subsection A shall be granted for plumbing work personally done by an individual on that person's personal residence up to the final connection between the individual's residence and a public or private water or sewer system. The individual shall sign a release agreement stating that Allegany County or any municipality is in no way responsible or liable for any damages to himself, his family or the public as a result of said work.
Plumbing work done by an employee of a gas company regulated
by the Public Service Commission while making a gas connection to
a gas appliance for domestic purposes.
Violations. Any violation of this chapter or the Maryland State Plumbing
Code, or any amendment thereto, by a master plumber, journey plumber
or apprentice plumber licensed by the state shall be referred by the
complainant to the Maryland State Board of Commissioners of Practical
Plumbing for prosecution.
Any violation of this chapter or the Maryland State Plumbing Code
by someone other than a licensed plumber shall be referred to the
State's Attorney for Allegany County by the complainant for prosecution
as a misdemeanor.
The penalty for a licensed master, journey or apprentice plumber
found to be violating this chapter or the Maryland Plumbing Code shall
be according to the State Code for Master Plumbers.
For all other violations, the penalty, upon conviction, shall be
a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $100. Each day the violation
continues may be deemed a separate offense.
The Allegany County Commissioners may, by resolution, set fees
for permits and inspections required under this chapter. Such fee
schedule may be modified by resolution as necessary by the County
Commissioners.