Regulations and Ordinances

The Frederick County Code of Ordinances

Planning related regulations included in the Frederick County Code of Ordinances include (but are not limited to) the Zoning Ordinance, the Subdivision Rules and Regulations, the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, the Forest Resource Ordinance, and the Moderately Priced Dwelling Units Ordinance. The entire Frederick County Code is published online through the American Legal Publishing Corporation. Amendments to the Code of Ordinances may require several weeks before being published online.

Direct links to specific Code sections:

• CHAPTER 1-6A:  MODERATELY PRICED DWELLING UNITS
• CHAPTER 1-15.2:  STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
• CHAPTER 1-16:  SUBDIVISION RULES AND REGULATIONS
• CHAPTER 1-19:  ZONING
• CHAPTER 1-20:  ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES
• CHAPTER 1-21:  FOREST RESOURCES

Current Codes Effective March 21, 2020:

Building Code

• 2018 ICC Building Code (IBC) w/ amendments
• 2018 ICC Residential Code (IRC) w/ amendments
• Building Code 
• Building Code Amendment

Electrical Code

• 2017 NEC National Electrical Code
• Electrical Code
• Electrical Code Amendment

Plumbing Code

• 2018 ICC International Plumbing Code (IPC) with amendments
• Plumbing Code
• Plumbing Code Amendment

Fuel Gas Code

• 2018 ICC International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) including amendments

Mechanical Code Referenced

• 2018 ICC International Mechanical Code (as referred by the IBC 2018)

Fire Code

• 2018 NFPA 1 Fire Code (National Fire Protection Association) w/amendments, per State of Maryland Fire Prevention Code.
• 2018 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (National Fire Protection Association) w/amendments, per State of Maryland Fire Prevention Code.
• New State Amendments: State of Maryland Fire Prevention Code

Accessibility Code

• 2018 IBC, Chapter 11 (also refers to A117.1-2009); except where the provisions of the Maryland Accessibility Code, January 1, 2012, COMAR Section 05.02.02, are more stringent in which case they would apply.

Energy Code

• 2018 ICC International Energy Conservation Code

Rehabilitation Code

• Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code COMAR April 1, 2013

News & Notices:

Please be advised that effective July 1, 2019 Maryland HB 586 (which relates to Solar Photovoltaic Systems – Lockout Tag Requirement) was signed into law by the Governor Hogan. In part, it requires that “a company that installs solar photovoltaic systems to install a certain lockout tag containing a safety warning under certain circumstances; and requiring the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation to make a certain report to the House Economic Matters Committee and the Senate Finance Committee by December 1, 2019.”

• Maryland HB 586