Regulations and Ordinances

News & Notices

The County Council approved updates to the Building, Plumbing, and Electrical codes on May 21, 2024. The new building, plumbing, and electrical codes will be effective for all new permit applications submitted as of July 20, 2024. For more information on the updated codes, please see below.

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 July 20, 2024:


Building Code

2021 ICC Building Code (IBC) with amendments

2021 ICC Residential Code (IRC) with amendments

Building Code 

Building Code Amendment

Electrical Code

2023 NEC National Electrical Code

Electrical Code

Electrical Code Amendment

Plumbing Code

2021 ICC International Plumbing Code (IPC) with amendments

Plumbing Code

Plumbing Code Amendment

Fuel Gas Code

2021 ICC International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) including amendments

Mechanical Code Referenced

2021 ICC International Mechanical Code (as referred by the IBC 2021)

Fire Code

2024 NFPA 1 Fire Code (National Fire Protection Association) with amendments, per State of Maryland Fire Prevention Code.

2024 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (National Fire Protection Association) with amendments, per State of Maryland Fire Prevention Code.

New State Amendments: State of Maryland Fire Prevention Code

Accessibility Code

2021 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

2021 ICC International Energy Conservation Code

Rehabilitation Code

Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code COMAR, May 29, 2023