[Adopted 12-4-2006 by Ord. No. 387]
Pocomoke City hereby adopts the provisions set forth in the Worcester County Code Under Chapter 17, Public Safety Article, Title 6, Emergency Service, §§ 6-201 to 6-207, pursuant to Public Safety § 6-202.
[Added 3-7-2011 by Ord. No. 406]
A. 
Statement of policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Mayor and City Council of Pocomoke City to grant a safety rebate to owners of newly constructed single-family structures within City limits that install an approved automatic sprinkler system in such structures.
B. 
Definitions. The following terms, as used in this article shall have the meanings indicated:
APPROVED AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM
A residential fire sprinkler system, or portion thereof, installed in accordance with the standards, codes and regulations set forth or referenced in the International Residential Code (IRC).
OWNER
Any person, agent, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property.
SINGLE-FAMILY STRUCTURE
A structure as described in § 101-11A of the Pocomoke City Code and, to be eligible for a safety rebate, means a structure in which the IRC would require the installation of an automatic sprinkler system.
C. 
Amount of safety rebate. Owners of newly constructed single-family structures located within Pocomoke City, Maryland, who install or begin the installation process for an approved automatic sprinkler system within three years of the effective date of this article shall be entitled to a safety rebate of $2,000 or 50% of the annual real property tax amount, whichever is less. The amount rebated shall not be construed as a refund of any real property taxes and shall be construed as being only a safety rebate from the City's general fund. Only one safety rebate shall be payable for a single-family structure, as defined herein.
D. 
Registration of sprinkler system and approval of tax credit. Requirement: An owner who intends to install an automatic sprinkler system in a newly constructed single-family structure shall apply to the Pocomoke City Town Hall for a safety rebate before the installation of an approved system is completed. The proposed sprinkler system must be shown on the construction plans for the proposed house prior to issuance of a City building permit. Following a completed installation, each owner desiring a safety rebate shall present an inspection certificate from the Fire Marshal or other appropriate governmental agency representative certifying the installed system in accordance with the standards contained in the current version of the International Residential Code, along with proof of the cost of the installation of said system, before a final approved safety rebate shall be granted. Upon proof that the owner has satisfied the written requirements listed above, Pocomoke City shall provide written documentation to the owner detailing the amount of the safety rebate.