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