Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Baltimore County, MD, adopted the following codes:

• The International Building Code, 2015 edition.
• The International Residential Code, 2015 edition.

Baltimore County, MD, Bill 40-15 (adopted and amended).

Helpful resources for Baltimore County, Maryland include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Maryland

Residential Building Code

Maryland adopted a model state residential code but it is not in force unless adopted locally.See PLRB, Maryland Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Baltimore County adopted the 2015 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the model code here.

You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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Maryland Bldg. Performance Standards (2021 IRC)(some jurisdictions are allowed to adopt earlier editions)(Baltimore County, MD § 35-2-201. - REVISION OF BUILDING CODE.)

...Department to submit legislation. Within 9 months after publication of each new edition of the Triennial International Code Council's International Building Code, the Department shall submit appropriate adopting legislation to the County Executive. (b)...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Baltimore County ? Yes
Citation: TABLE 301.2(1) CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA.
Municipal Code https://resources.baltimorecountymd.gov/Documents/Permits/Building_Plans_Review/2015buildingcode.pdf#page=71
Comments:

TABLE 301.2(1) CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA. THE FOLLOWING 20 CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHICAL DESIGN CRITERIA SHALL BE USED IN BALTIMORE 21 COUNTY: GROUND SNOW LOAD – 30 PSF; ROOF SNOW LOAD- 30PSF WITH NO REDUCTION 22 FOR ROOF SLOPE; ULTIMATE WIND SPEED- 115 MPH; SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY- B; 23 WEATHERING- SEVERE; FROST LINE DEPTH- 30 INCHES; TERMITE- MODERATE TO HEAVY, 24 WOOD DECAY- MODERATE TO SEVERE; WINTER DESIGN TEMP- 13F; ICE BARRIER 25 UNDERLA YMENT REQUIRED -YES; PRESUMING LOAD-BEARING VALUE OF SOILS 2000 26 (PSF)

Comments

Baltimore County, MD, adopted the 2012 IBC (with Appendix C with amendments and Appendix F) and IRC (with Appendices B, C and F and Appendix G with amendments). Baltimore County Bill 40-12 (adopted and amended).

PART 126 ROOF DRAINAGE AND PROTECTION OF EXTERIOR OPENINGS. 

402.5 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM: ADD ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 6 AND 7 AS FOLLOWS: 6. UNPROTECTED OPENINGS IN FIRE-RESISTIVE RATED WALL ASSEMBLIES SEPARATING COVERED MALL FROM AN ANCHOR STORE SHALL BE PROTECTED BY CLOSED HEAD SPRINKLER PROTECTION SPACED SIX (6) FOOT ON CENTER AT EACH OPENING, AND SHALL BE SUPPLIED BY THE COVERED MALL SPRINKLER SYSTEM AS REQUIRED BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL. 7. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION 

Existing Buildings

Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.

Baltimore County, MD, did NOT adopt Appendix J. Baltimore County, MD, Bill 40-12  (adopted and amended). Appendix J provides guidance on existing buildings.

PART 106 EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. THE LEGAL USE AND OCCUPANCY OF ANY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE EXISTING AS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS CODE 31 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 MAY BE CONTINUED WITHOUT CHANGE EXCEPT AS MAY BE SPECIFICALLY COVERED BY THIS CODE OR AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL FOR THE GENERAL SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE OCCUPANTS AND THE PUBLIC. ALTERATIONS, ADDITIONS AND REPAIRS OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES SHALL CONFORM TO APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS COVERING SUCH WORK AND SHALL NOT CAUSE AN EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE TO BECOME UNSAFE OR TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BUILDING. 

Commercial Building Code

Baltimore County adopted the 2015 IBC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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Maryland Bldg. Performance Standards (2021 IBC)(Baltimore County, MD § 35-2-201. - REVISION OF BUILDING CODE.)

...Department to submit legislation. Within 9 months after publication of each new edition of the Triennial International Code Council's International Building Code, the Department shall submit appropriate adopting legislation to the County Executive. (b)...

Comments

Baltimore County, MD, adopted the 2015 IBC (with Appendix C, G and F). Baltimore County, MD, Bill 40-12 (adopted and amended).

PART 126 ROOF DRAINAGE AND PROTECTION OF EXTERIOR OPENINGS. 

402.5 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM: ADD ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 6 AND 7 AS FOLLOWS: 6. UNPROTECTED OPENINGS IN FIRE-RESISTIVE RATED WALL ASSEMBLIES SEPARATING COVERED MALL FROM AN ANCHOR STORE SHALL BE PROTECTED BY CLOSED HEAD SPRINKLER PROTECTION SPACED SIX (6) FOOT ON CENTER AT EACH OPENING, AND SHALL BE SUPPLIED BY THE COVERED MALL SPRINKLER SYSTEM AS REQUIRED BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL. 7. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION 

Existing Buildings

Baltimore, MD, adopted the 2015 IEBC.

PART 106 EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. THE LEGAL USE AND OCCUPANCY OF ANY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE EXISTING AS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS CODE 31 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 MAY BE CONTINUED WITHOUT CHANGE EXCEPT AS MAY BE SPECIFICALLY COVERED BY THIS CODE OR AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL FOR THE GENERAL SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE OCCUPANTS AND THE PUBLIC. ALTERATIONS, ADDITIONS AND REPAIRS OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES SHALL CONFORM TO APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS COVERING SUCH WORK AND SHALL NOT CAUSE AN EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE TO BECOME UNSAFE OR TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BUILDING. 

Other Building Codes