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OFFICE RELOCATION

ATTENTION CUSTOMERS!!!

THE DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONS, LICENSES AND PERMITS HAS TEMPORARILY RELOCATED TO:

8930 STANFORD BOULEVARD

COLUMBIA, MARYLAND

Phone numbers and the mailing address will remain the same.

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE INITIATES GUARANTY FUND COLLECTION

The General Assembly has established a Home Builder Guaranty Fund to protect consumers, similar to the fund operated by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. The Guaranty Fund will be available to consumers who have contracted with a registered home builder and who suffer an “actual loss” due to incomplete construction, breach of warranty, failure to meet standards or guidelines, or failure to return a deposit. Claims against the Guaranty Fund will be limited to $50,000 per claimant and $300,000 per builder. The Guaranty Fund applies only to contracts entered into after January 1, 2009. The Guaranty Fund will be funded through a $50 fee to be paid with each application for a new home construction permit, which the permit office will begin collecting January 1, 2009. The Guaranty Fund fee is non refundable. Click here for Frequently Asked Questions Flier from the Office of the Attorney General

Click here for the Office of the Attorney General Website.

GREEN NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR HOMES AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT

Attached is the Green Neighborhood Guidance Document for Homes.

Click below for the Guidance Document

Green Neighborhood Guidance Document for Homes

Green Neighborhood Guidance Compliance Checklist-Excel Spreadsheet

Green Neighborhood Guidance Templates & Appendices-Excel Spreadsheet

If you need copies of the spreadsheets contact Donald Mock, P.E., Chief of Plan Review at 410-313-3948.

2008 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE ADOPTED

The 2008 National Electrical Code with local amendments was adopted by the Howard County Council (Council Bill #47-2008) and is effective on September 9, 2008.

Download Electrical Regulations and Local Amendments

COMMERCIAL EXPEDITED REVIEW FEE CHANGED

Effective July 1, 2008, the Commercial Expedited Review Fee has been changed to streamline payment of fees. The new fee structure is:

Up to 2,500 square feet=$550

2,501 to 5,000 square feet=$1,100

For review of projects over 5,000 square feet the fee shall be $550 for each additional square feet of area or fraction thereof.

Technology fee is still charged which is 10% of the permit fee and the $200 filing fee is still collected.

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS

The State of Maryland passed House Bill 401 earlier this year with an effective date of January 1, 2008. All residential building permits issued on or after January 1, 2008 must comply with HB401. This bill requires the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in all dwellings that provide living or sleeping facilities for one or more individuals. This would include all one and two family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, hotels, motels, or dormitories which rely on the combustion of fossil fuel for heat, ventilation, hot water, or clothes dryer operation. The carbon monoxide alarms shall be located in a central location outside of all sleeping areas.

WALL BRACING INFORMATION

Note that changes in requirements and procedures for residential walk through, wall bracing, new residential window requirements, and in the plumbing code have resulted from the adoption of the 2006 International Residential Code and the National Standard Plumbing Code Illustrated.

Go to Recent News and Events for details on the requirements or click here for the Plan Review memorandum.

June 1, 2007, Memo to Contractors on Changes to the Howard County Building Code

Click here for the Wall Bracing Chart

The following codes with local amendments have been adopted by the Howard County Council and will become effective on December 7, 2006.

International Building Code, 2006 Edition

International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwelling, 2006 Edition

International Mechanical Code, 2006 Edition

The Life Safety code, 2006 Edition

The National Standard Plumbing Code Illustrated, 2006 Edition

The National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA54-2006)

To obtain copies of the International Codes contact the International Code Council at 1-888-ICC-SAFE (1-888-422-7233) or visit their web site at www.iccsafe.org.

To obtain a copy of the National Standard Plumbing Code Illustrated contact the Maryland Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, Inc. at 800-723-4900.

To obtain a copy of the National Fuel Gas Code contact the National Fire Protection Association at 800-344-3555 or visit their web site at www.nfpa.org.

Contact the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits at 410-313-2436 to obtain a copy of local amendments.