Baltimore County, Maryland | 2026 Code Guide
Which Building Codes Apply in Baltimore County?
Baltimore County primarily uses the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with local amendments adopted through County Bill 49-24. These provisions became effective September 3, 2024.
Separate requirements apply to plumbing, electrical installations, fire safety, accessibility, and existing-building renovations. Importantly, Baltimore County began enforcing the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) on September 1, 2026, according to the Maryland electrical inspectors’ association.
This guide identifies the adopted editions, explains important county amendments, and provides direct official resources for checking requirements before starting construction.
2026 Baltimore County Adopted Building Codes
The following table summarizes Baltimore County’s published building and fire code requirements, with the subsequently announced 2026 electrical-code update.
| Code category | Applicable edition | Adoption / reference |
|---|---|---|
| Building | 2021 IBC | Bill 49-24 |
| One- and two-family residential | 2021 IRC | Bill 49-24 |
| Mechanical / HVAC | 2021 IMC | Bill 49-24 |
| Energy conservation | 2021 IECC | Bill 49-24 |
| Swimming pools and spas | 2021 ISPSC | Bill 49-24 |
| Plumbing | 2021 IPC | Bill 94-23; effective July 1, 2024 |
| Electrical | 2026 NEC | Enforcement announced from September 1, 2026 |
| Fire prevention | 2018 NFPA 1 | Bill 14-21 |
| Life safety | 2018 NFPA 101 | Bill 14-21 |
| Existing-building rehabilitation | 2021 International Existing Building Code framework | Maryland Rehabilitation Code, COMAR 09.12.58 |
| Accessibility | Maryland Accessibility Code and applicable federal requirements | COMAR 09.12.53 |
Edition note: The county’s published code-summary PDF is dated September 3, 2024, and therefore still identifies the 2023 NEC. The Maryland electrical inspectors’ later announcement states that the 2026 NEC became enforceable September 1, 2026. For an electrical permit already issued under an earlier edition, ask the county which rules govern that particular permit.
Official county reference: Current Codes and Regulations and County Building and Fire Codes PDF.
Important Baltimore County Amendments
Using the correct model-code edition is only the first step. Baltimore County modifies selected national provisions through local legislation. A design that follows an unamended ICC code may therefore still require changes before receiving county approval.
1. Local requirements under Bill 49-24
Bill 49-24 adopted the main 2021 model-code editions with county-specific additions, deletions, and replacements. It includes administrative requirements, inspections, electrical provisions, flood-hazard construction rules, and certain electric-vehicle charging provisions.
Important examples include:
- Flood-hazard construction: Part 123 addresses construction in mapped flood-hazard areas. Part 123.1 requires signed and sealed site-plan information for construction within the 100-year floodplain.
- Electrical installation: Part 128 contains county-specific electrical amendments, including requirements concerning conductors, grounding, and equipment installation.
- EV-ready residential construction: Part 129 establishes provisions for new one- and two-family dwellings with a garage, carport, or driveway to accommodate future electric-vehicle charging.
- Shared residential parking: Part 129.1 addresses Level 2 charging installations in specified new residential occupancy classifications.
- Inspections: Part 115 provides for inspections during construction and upon completion, with additional requirements when previously inspected work is changed or damaged.
These are selected examples, not a substitute for the full amendment text. The scope, exceptions, technical specifications, and applicable project classification must be checked before design or construction.
Read the complete adopted legislation (PDF). Includes the county’s amendments to building, residential, mechanical, energy, and pool/spa requirements.
2. Electrical code changes in 2026
Baltimore County Code Section 21-7-303 refers to the latest edition of NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code. The Maryland Electrical Inspectors Association announced county enforcement of the 2026 NEC beginning September 1, 2026.
Electrical designers and contractors should check the applicable NEC edition together with Baltimore County’s local electrical amendments. This is especially important for service equipment, panel installations, wiring, grounding, solar systems, and electric-vehicle charging projects.
Read the 2026 NEC enforcement announcement and consult the NFPA 70 code resource.
3. Plumbing and gas installations
Plumbing is governed by Baltimore County’s separately adopted plumbing and gasfitting requirements. The county’s published reference identifies the 2021 International Plumbing Code, adopted and amended through Bill 94-23, effective July 1, 2024.
Plumbing projects may involve additional local administrative, licensing, inspection, and fuel-gas requirements. Do not assume the plumbing provisions printed in the unamended 2021 IBC or IRC fully describe county requirements.
4. Fire and life-safety requirements
Baltimore County’s published schedule identifies the 2018 editions of NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 under Bill 14-21. These provisions address fire prevention and life safety, including matters involving occupancy, escape routes, fire protection, and certain building systems.
Commercial buildings, multifamily residential properties, assembly occupancies, and changes of occupancy may require coordination between building plan review and the Fire Department.
5. Energy conservation and accessibility
The county adopted the 2021 IECC through Bill 49-24. Energy compliance may involve building-envelope insulation, air sealing, windows, lighting, mechanical equipment, and project-specific compliance documentation.
Accessibility requirements also come from Maryland and applicable federal law. Designers should consult the Maryland Accessibility Code rather than relying solely on the unamended accessibility chapter of the IBC.
Maryland Department of Labor — State Building Codes.
Which Code Applies to Your Project?
| Project | Primary code to review | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|
| New single-family home | 2021 IRC | Energy, electrical, plumbing, zoning, and county amendments |
| House addition or structural renovation | 2021 IRC and applicable rehabilitation provisions | Structural design, zoning, trade codes, inspections |
| New commercial building | 2021 IBC | Fire, accessibility, energy, mechanical, plumbing, electrical |
| Commercial tenant renovation | IBC and Maryland Rehabilitation Code, as applicable | Occupancy, accessibility, egress, fire protection |
| Electrical panel or wiring work | 2026 NEC for work subject to the new enforcement date | Local electrical amendments and permit conditions |
| HVAC installation | 2021 IMC | Energy, electrical, fuel-gas, and local requirements |
| Swimming pool | 2021 ISPSC | Barriers, zoning, electrical, site requirements |
| Construction in a floodplain | Applicable building or residential code | County floodplain regulations and Part 123 requirements |
Important: Multiple codes may apply to one project. This table helps identify where to begin, but the final requirements depend on the proposed work, occupancy, property location, and approved plans.
How to Verify the Correct Baltimore County Code
Use this process before preparing plans or submitting a permit application.
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Open the county’s current-code list.
Visit Current Codes and Regulations. Identify the building, residential, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or fire code relevant to your project.
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Read the applicable local amendments.
For primary building-code requirements, open Bill 49-24. Check the relevant amendments instead of relying only on the national model-code text.
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Check applicable Maryland requirements.
Visit the Maryland Building Codes Administration for statewide standards, accessibility, rehabilitation, and other state-level requirements. For electrical work, also confirm the 2026 NEC enforcement date and any permit-specific transition rules.
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Confirm requirements for your property and apply.
Contact Baltimore County Building Plans Review with your property address, project description, and intended construction date. When ready, use the county’s official permit application page to find the correct application process.
Building Permits and Code Compliance
Baltimore County Code Section 35-2-301 generally requires authorization before constructing, altering, repairing, remodeling, removing, or demolishing buildings and structures. Specific code provisions and county permit guidance determine whether a particular activity qualifies for an exemption.
For a proposed project, prepare the following information before contacting the county:
- Complete property address and description of the proposed work.
- Whether the property is residential or commercial.
- Existing building use and proposed use, if changing.
- Available site plan, construction drawings, and structural details.
- Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or fire-protection work involved.
- Any known zoning, floodplain, historic-property, or environmental constraints.
Not every application requires every document listed above. Baltimore County publishes separate application instructions for new dwellings, commercial structures, additions, decks, pools, and other project types.
Official permit applications and instructions. Select the permit corresponding to your project to review its required information and submission procedure.
Official Building Plans Review Division. Use this resource for construction plan requirements and building or fire code review information.
Baltimore County is not Baltimore City. This guide concerns Baltimore County communities such as Towson, Catonsville, Pikesville, Dundalk, Essex, and Owings Mills. Properties inside Baltimore City are subject to Baltimore City’s separate building-code and permitting authority.
Official Code Documents and Resources
These primary resources provide the adopted-code information and legal references used throughout this guide.
View official adopted-code information. Best starting point for the county’s published code list and local amendments.
Open the 2021 code adoption and amendments PDF. Contains building, residential, mechanical, energy, and swimming-pool code amendments.
Search the county ordinances. Relevant provisions include building permits, electrical regulations, plumbing requirements, and related local law.
Review statewide building standards. Includes Maryland Building Performance Standards and links to specialized state codes.
Find county contacts and amendment resources. Useful for identifying the responsible code authority.
Review NFPA 70 information. Provides current edition information and access options for the national electrical standard.
Baltimore County Building Code Contacts
The following numbers are published in Baltimore County’s building and fire code reference or Maryland’s local code contact directory.
| Office / service | Phone number |
|---|---|
| Building Engineer | 410-887-3353 |
| Building Plans Review | 410-887-3987 |
| Building Permit Processing | 410-887-3900 |
| Building Inspections | 410-887-3953 |
| Electrical Inspections | 410-887-3960 |
| Plumbing Inspections | 410-887-3620 |
| Fire Inspections | 410-887-4880 |
| Zoning Office | 410-887-3391 |
| County Council — Code Amendments | 410-887-3196 |
Building Engineer office: 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 105, Towson, MD 21204, as listed by Maryland’s Building Codes Administration.
For current public service hours, office visits, or application assistance, confirm arrangements through the county department website before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What building code does Baltimore County use in 2026?
Baltimore County uses the 2021 International Building Code with local amendments adopted through Bill 49-24. The county also uses separate residential, mechanical, energy, plumbing, electrical, and fire safety codes.
2. What residential building code applies in Baltimore County?
The 2021 International Residential Code, as amended by Baltimore County Bill 49-24, generally applies to qualifying one- and two-family dwellings. Additional energy, electrical, plumbing, and local requirements may apply.
3. Has Baltimore County adopted the 2024 International Building Code?
The county’s published adopted-code schedule identifies the 2021 IBC under Bill 49-24, not the 2024 IBC. Check the county’s current-code page for any later legislation before submitting plans.
4. Which electrical code applies in Baltimore County in 2026?
The Maryland electrical inspectors’ association announced enforcement of the 2026 National Electrical Code beginning September 1, 2026. County electrical amendments also apply. Confirm transition requirements for permits issued before that date.
5. What plumbing code is adopted in Baltimore County?
Baltimore County’s published code schedule identifies the 2021 International Plumbing Code, adopted and amended through Bill 94-23, effective July 1, 2024. Local plumbing and gasfitting provisions must also be considered.
6. Which fire codes apply in Baltimore County?
The county’s published code schedule identifies the 2018 NFPA 1 Fire Code and 2018 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, adopted and amended through Bill 14-21. Additional fire-protection standards may apply to specific projects.
7. What energy code does Baltimore County use?
Baltimore County adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code through Bill 49-24, with local amendments. Energy compliance depends on the building type, construction scope, and applicable requirements.
8. Which code applies when renovating an existing building?
Existing-building renovations may be subject to the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code, based on the 2021 International Existing Building Code, along with applicable Baltimore County building, fire, accessibility, and trade requirements.
9. Where can I get Baltimore County building code amendments?
Use Baltimore County’s Current Codes and Regulations page or obtain the relevant county legislation. The county states that local amendments are available free upon request through the County Council’s Office at 410-887-3196.
10. How can I confirm the building-code requirements before applying for a permit?
Identify your project type, review the county’s adopted-code list and applicable amendments, check Maryland requirements, and contact Baltimore County Building Plans Review at 410-887-3987 for project-specific questions.
Information and verification: This article reflects sources reviewed October 9, 2026. Building codes, amendments, and permit procedures can change. For a specific project, the applicable law and Baltimore County’s official determination control. USBuilding.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with Baltimore County Government.