[HISTORY: Adopted by the Harford County Council by Bill No. 24-004.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This bill, which provided an effective date of May 29, 2024, also repealed former Ch. 202, Plumbing, adopted by Bill No. 19-034.
A. 
The 2021 International Plumbing Code (hereinafter referred to as the Plumbing Code), is hereby adopted and, by reference thereto, is made a part of this chapter with the same force and effect as though set out in full herein, except for such changes, amendments and revisions as are specified in this chapter. At least 1 copy of the Plumbing Code and supplements thereto are on file and open for public use, examination and inspection in the office of the Director of Administration.
B. 
The International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 Edition, as published by International Code Council and American Gas Association, is hereby adopted and, by reference thereto, is made a part of this chapter with the same force and effect as though set out in full herein, save and except for such changes, amendments and revisions as are specified in this chapter. At least 1 copy of the standards and supplements thereto are on file and open for public use, examination and inspection in the office of the Director of Administration.
C. 
The 2021 International Residential Code, Chapters 20, 21, 22, 24, Part VI Fuel Gas and Part VII, Plumbing, is hereby adopted and, by reference thereto, is made a part of this chapter with the same force and effect as though set out in full herein, save and except for such changes, amendments and revisions as are specified in this chapter. At least 1 copy of the standards and supplements thereto are on file and open for public use, examination and inspection in the office of the Director of Administration.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide practical plumbing and gas fitting requirements to safeguard persons and gas fitting conditions in Harford County.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to and govern plumbing and gas fitting work performed in Harford County and are designed to safeguard persons and property.
A. 
No person shall provide plumbing and/or gas fitting services in Harford County unless that person holds a valid certificate of registration issued by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.
B. 
To qualify for a certificate of registration, the applicant shall have been issued a license or certificate of registration by:
(1) 
The Maryland State Board of Plumbing; or
(2) 
The Baltimore County Plumbing Board or the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission; or
(3) 
The Harford County Plumbing Board.
C. 
Master plumber and master natural gas fitter's certificate of registration. Any applicant for a master certificate to perform plumbing or natural gas fitting work shall provide the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits with the following minimum information:
(1) 
Current license number issued by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing or other accepted jurisdiction; and
(2) 
A current certificate of insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the amount required by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing.
D. 
Journey plumber and journey natural gas fitter's certificate of registration. Any applicant for a journey certificate to perform plumbing or natural gas fitting work shall provide the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits with the current license number issued by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing or other accepted jurisdiction.
E. 
Apprentice plumber and apprentice natural gas fitter's certificate of registration. Any applicant for an apprentice certificate to provide assistance to a registered master plumber or natural gas fitter shall provide the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits with the current certificate of registration issued by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing or other accepted jurisdiction. The fee to obtain an apprentice plumber or an apprentice natural gas fitter certificate shall be $5.
F. 
Propane gas fitter's certificate of registration. Any applicant for a propane gas certificate shall provide the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits with the following minimum information:
(1) 
Current license number issued by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing or other accepted jurisdiction; and
(2) 
A current certificate of insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the amount required by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing.
G. 
Well pump/water conditioner installer's certificate of registration. Any applicant for a well pump/water conditioner installer's certificate shall provide the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits with the following minimum information:
(1) 
Current Maryland State well pump/water conditioner installer's license; and
(2) 
A current certificate of insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the amount required by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing.
H. 
On-site utility contractor's certificate of registration. This certificate shall be issued to a person who is deemed qualified by the Harford County Plumbing Board to install on-site water service piping, sewer and storm drainage piping from the property line to any structure on such property. Any applicant for an on-site utility contractor's certificate shall demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience in the utility contractor trade and certification in OSHA requirements for confined spaces and OSHA Subpart "P" in trench safety by an entity deemed acceptable by the Harford County Plumbing Board or have a license or certificate from another jurisdiction which is determined by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits to have equivalent certification requirements. The applicant shall provide the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits with the following minimum information:
(1) 
A current business address and telephone number; and
(2) 
A current certificate of insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the amount required by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing.
The Board, in its discretion, may require a written test to determine proficiencies within the scope of the foregoing certificate. The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits shall require either a utility contractor or a journey utility installer holding a valid Harford County certificate of registration on all work sites to direct and control installations. All utility contractors on site shall have, on their person, a current certificate of completion of training in confined spaces and Subpart "P" in trench safety. The fee to obtain an on-site utility contractor's certificate shall be $45.
I. 
On-site journey utility installer's certificate of registration. This certificate shall be issued to a person who is deemed qualified by the Harford County Plumbing Board to install on-site water service piping, sewer and storm drainage piping from the property line to any structure on such property under the direction and control of a certified utility contractor. Any applicant for an on-site journey utility contractor's certificate shall demonstrate a minimum of two years' experience in the utility construction trade and training in OSHA requirements for confined spaces and OSHA Subpart "P" in trench safety by an entity deemed acceptable by the Harford County Plumbing Board or have a certificate from another jurisdiction which is determined by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits to have equivalent certification requirements. The applicant shall provide the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits with the following minimum information:
(1) 
Name of current employer with employer's address and telephone number; and
(2) 
A current photo ID.
The Board, in its discretion, may require a written test to determine proficiencies within the scope of the foregoing certificate. The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits shall require a certified utility contractor or a certified journey utility installer holding a valid Harford County certificate of registration on all work sites to direct and control installations. All journey utility installers on site shall have, on their person, a current certificate of completion of training in confined spaces and Subpart "P" in trench safety. The fee for a journey utility installer's certificate shall be $15.
J. 
Septic installer's certificate of registration. This certificate shall be issued to a person who is deemed qualified by the Harford County Plumbing Board to install sewage disposal systems. Any applicant for a septic installer's certificate shall demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience in the construction of sewage disposal systems and certification in OSHA requirements for confined spaces and OSHA Subpart "P" in trench safety by an entity deemed acceptable by the Harford County Plumbing Board or have a certificate from another jurisdiction which is determined by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits to have equivalent certification requirements. The applicant shall provide the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits with the following minimum information:
(1) 
A current business address and telephone number;
(2) 
A current certificate of insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the amount required by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing; and
(3) 
A current photo ID.
The Board, in its discretion, may require a written test to determine proficiencies within the scope of the foregoing certificate. The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits shall require a certified septic installer or a certified journey septic installer holding a valid Harford County certificate of registration on all work sites to direct and control installations. All septic installers on site shall have, on their person, a current certificate of completion of training in confined spaces and Subpart "P" in trench safety. The fee for a septic installer's certificate shall be $45.
K. 
Journey septic installer's certificate. This certificate shall be issued to a person who is deemed qualified by the Harford County Plumbing Board to install sewage disposal systems under the direction and control of a certified septic installer. Any applicant for a journey septic installer's certificate shall demonstrate a minimum of 2 years' experience in the installation of sewage disposal systems and training in OSHA requirements for confined spaces and OSHA Subpart "P" in trench safety by an entity deemed acceptable by the Harford County Plumbing Board or have a certificate from another jurisdiction which is determined by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits to have equivalent certification requirements. Such applicant shall provide the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits with the following information:
(1) 
Name of current employer with employer's address and telephone number; and
(2) 
A current photo ID.
The Board, in its discretion, may require a written test to determine proficiencies within the scope of the forgoing certificate. The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits shall require a certified septic installer or a certified journey septic installer holding a valid Harford County certificate of registration on all work sites to direct and control installations. All journey septic installers on site shall have, on their person, a current certificate of completion of training in confined spaces and Subpart "P" in trench safety. The fee for a journey septic installer's certificate shall be $15.
L. 
Fees for certificate of registration and exams. Unless provided in this chapter, fees shall be as set forth in Chapter 157 of the Harford County Code, as amended.
M. 
All master plumber, master natural gas fitter, propane gas fitter, journey plumber, journey natural gas fitter certificates of registration issued pursuant to this section shall expire on April 30 of each even-numbered year, and all such certificates shall be issued for a 2-year period. All apprentice plumber, apprentice natural gas fitter, on-site utility, journeyperson utility, septic, journeyperson septic and well pump/water conditioner installer certificates issued pursuant to this section shall expire on October 31 of each even-numbered year.
N. 
The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits may, in its discretion, suspend or revoke the certificate of registration of any person who makes a false or misleading statement in an application; who sells, lends or otherwise permits the improper use of a certificate of registration or who obtains permits for others to do plumbing, gas fitting or on-site sewage disposal work; who fails to maintain a regular place of business; whose license or certificate, on which registration is based, has been suspended or revoked; or who commits any violation of Chapter 202 of the Harford County Code, as amended.
O. 
Upon receipt of written requests directed to the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits, the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits, in its discretion, may suspend or revoke the certificate of registration of any person who commits a violation of Chapter 202 of the Harford County Code, as amended, or any other law or regulation governing the conduct of plumbing, gas fitting or sewage disposal.
(1) 
No certificate shall be suspended or revoked except after a hearing before the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits of which the certificate holder shall receive at least 5 days' notice, in writing, together with a statement of the charges. Following the hearing, the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits may revoke or suspend any certificate of registration for such period of time as it may find proper.
(2) 
In the event of a revocation, no application for the reinstatement of a revoked certificate of registration shall be considered until the expiration of 6 months from the date of such revocation. At the end of such 6-month period, the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits may, in its discretion, reinstate a revoked certificate.
P. 
Any holder of a certificate of registration shall notify the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits immediately of any changes in location of business, employer, license or certificate status or phone number.
Q. 
Any certificate of insurance required to be submitted under this section shall provide that in the event the insurance required under this chapter is cancelled, the insurer shall notify the Harford County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits within 10 days after the date of cancellation.
A. 
No work regulated by this chapter shall be commenced without a permit issued by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits or, in the case of septic installers, issued by the Harford County Health Department. Only a master plumber, master natural gas fitter, well pump/water conditioner installer, on-site utility contractor or septic installer shall be eligible to apply for permits authorized by this chapter.
B. 
A plumbing permit issued in accordance with § 202-5A of this chapter may be issued to the owner of a single-family dwelling occupied exclusively by the owner as his/her primary residence upon the following conditions:
(1) 
All work must be performed in accordance with this chapter; and
(2) 
The owner shall be tested and qualified by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits; and
(3) 
The owner shall sign an affidavit agreeing to comply with all applicable provisions of this chapter and attesting that the location in which the work will be performed is the applicant's primary residence.
(4) 
Final connection to a municipal water or sewer system shall be made only by a registered master plumber.
(5) 
The owner shall not perform work on fuel gas piping or appliances.
C. 
The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits may cancel a permit at the written request of the property owner or his/her agent upon satisfactory compliance with the following requirements:
(1) 
The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits has forwarded a copy of the written request to the permit holder.
(2) 
A permit may not be canceled for a minimum of 7 business days commencing after notification to the permit holder unless the parties agree to waive the waiting period or the building official determines that extenuating circumstances exist that warrant modification of the waiting period.
(3) 
In cases where work has commenced and has not been completed, the Department shall perform an onsite inspection and certify that the work performed to date has been deemed to not pose a threat to the public health, safety and welfare.
(4) 
In cases where the work has not been completed, a permit shall be applied for by an individual approved under § 82-7 of this Code. The applicant shall also submit an assumption agreement, if applicable, for the remainder of the work. Assumption agreements shall be completed on a form provided by the Department.
Upon written notification by a master plumber, master natural gas fitter, water pump contractor, on-site utility contractor or septic installer to the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits and, in the case of a septic permit, to the Harford County Health Department, a permit may be canceled upon satisfactory compliance with the following requirements:
A. 
A minimum 7 working day waiting period commencing the day that the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits or, in the case of a sewage disposal permit, the Harford County Health Department receives the cancellation request unless the parties agree to waive the waiting period or the building official determines that extenuating circumstances exist that warrant modification of the waiting period; and
B. 
The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits certifies that the work performed to date is Code compliant and that the work has been deemed not to pose a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the public; and
C. 
In the case where another registered contractor will be performing the remainder of the work, the new registered contractor shall submit to the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits an assumption agreement on a form provided by the Department prior to a new permit being issued.
All plans and specifications required herein shall be prepared by a registered professional engineer licensed to do business in the State of Maryland, except that a master plumber, master natural gas fitter, on-site utility contractor or septic installer holding a valid certificate of registration in Harford County may design plumbing, gas fitting or sewage disposal systems for their own installation. Each set of plans and specifications submitted shall have thereon the name and address of the designer and certification by the designer that the plans and specifications have been prepared in accordance with this chapter. The plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits and shall include thereon complete design criteria and supporting calculations.
A. 
The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits shall cause the inspection, during the course of construction and upon completion of the construction, of all plumbing and gas fitting for which a plumbing or gas permit, other than an annual inspection permit, is required. The Harford County Health Department shall cause the inspection, during the course of construction and upon completion of the construction, of all sewage disposal systems for which a sewage disposal permit, other than an annual inspection permit, is required. If any defects are found, the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits, or in the case of sewage disposal system installation, the Harford County Health Department, shall have the authority to order such plumbing, gas fitting or sewage disposal system to be corrected to comply with the provisions of this Code. It shall be unlawful for any person to cover or enclose from view any portions of a plumbing, gas fitting or sewage disposal system prior to the time that the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits or the Harford County Health Department has inspected and approved it. The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits or, in the case of sewage disposal system installation, the Harford County Health Department shall prepare a written report of any such inspection and will maintain such report in an appropriate file.
B. 
No potable well water service line or well for potable water supply shall be covered or enclosed from view prior to inspection by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits. The service line and all underground fittings connected thereto shall be tested for leaks and overall integrity prior to covering and enclosing the line.
Sewer, water and gas piping shall not be connected or installed through property other than the property to be served except as provided herein. Plumbing or gas piping connections which cannot be made except by crossing nonserviced property may, with the permission of the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits, be carried through an easement across nonserviced property, provided that:
A. 
An easement is obtained by the property owner desiring service, without cost or liability to Harford County; and
B. 
The easement meets all applicable regulatory requirements; and
C. 
The easement shall be granted and conveyed by plat or formal deed recorded in the land records of Harford County.
A. 
Definitions.
(1) 
As used in this code, the term "authority having jurisdiction" means the Harford County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.
(2) 
As used in this code, the term "code official" means the Director of the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits or his/her designee.
(3) 
As used in this code, the term "Department of Plumbing Inspection" means the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.
(4) 
As used in this code, the term "Department of Inspection" means the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.
B. 
The following sections are changes or additions to certain sections of the 2021 International Plumbing Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Harford County Plumbing Code, with all of the local amendments incorporated into the text, is available online at https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/harford-county-md.
C. 
The following sections are changes or additions to certain sections of the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: The Harford County Fuel Gas Code, with all of the local amendments incorporated into the text, is available online at https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/harford-county-md.
D. 
The following sections are changes or additions to certain sections of the 2021 International Residential Code.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: The Harford County Residential Code, with all of the local amendments incorporated into the text, is available online at https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/harford-county-md.
On-site utility construction regulated by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits that is not covered by the provisions of § 202-10B of this chapter shall comply with the Harford County Water and Sewer Regulations.
An official or employee connected with the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits, except one whose only connection is that of a member of the Board of Appeals, established under the provisions of Appendix B of Chapter 82 of the Harford County Code, a member of the Harford County Electrical Board, a member of the Harford County Plumbing Board or a member of the Harford County Mechanical Board, shall not be compensated in any manner, directly or indirectly, for the furnishing of labor, materials or appliances for the construction, alteration or maintenance of a building, or for the preparation of construction documents thereof, nor shall such official or employee engage in any work that conflicts with the interest of the Department.