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Baltimore City Code div. Building Codes, pt. X, pt. I, ch. 1
in effect

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 101 Title, Scope, and Purpose

Section 101. Title, Scope, and Purpose 101.1 Title. The regulations contained in this Code constitute and are known as the “Baltimore City Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings”. 101.1.1 References to “this Code”. Throughout this Part X, all references to “this Code” refer to the Baltimore City Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings. 101.2 Scope. {As in IRC} Exception: The following may be constructed in accordance with this Code if provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system that complies with § 313 {“Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems”} of this Code: 1. Live/work units located in townhouses and complying with the requirements of § 508.5 {“Live/Work Units”} of the Baltimore City Building Code. 2. Owner-occupied lodging houses with 5 or fewer guestrooms and 5 or fewer total occupants. 3. A care facility with 5 or fewer persons receiving custodial, medical, or other care within a dwelling unit. 101.3 Intent. {As in IRC} (Ord. 24-341 Section 1.)

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 102 Applicability

Section 102. Applicability 102.1 to 102.4 {As in IRC} 102.5 Appendices. The appendices to the International Residential Code apply as follows. 102.5.1 Appendices adopted. The following appendices are adopted, with or without local modifications, as part of this Code: 1. Appendix E: “Manufactured Housing Used as Dwellings”. 2. Appendix F: “Passive Radon Controls”. 3. Appendix G: “Piping Standards for Various Applications”. 4. Appendix H: “Patio Covers”. 5. Appendix K: “Sound Transmission”. 6. Appendix M: “Home Day Care – R-3 Occupancy”. 7. Appendix O: “Automatic Vehicular Gates”. 8. Appendix Q: “Tiny Houses”. 102.5.2 Appendices not adopted. The following appendices are not adopted as part of this Code: 1. Appendices A to D. 2. Appendix I: “Private Sewage Disposal”. 3. Appendix J: “Existing Buildings and Structures”. 4. Appendix L: “Permit Fees”. 5. Appendix N: “Venting Methods”. 6. Appendix P: “Sizing of Water Piping System”. 7. Appendices R to T. 102.6 to 102.7 {As in IRC}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 103 Department of Building Safety

Section 103. Department of Building Safety 103.1 General. This Code is administered and enforced by the Department of Housing and Community Development and its Commissioner. Accordingly, in this Code: 1. “Department of Building Safety” or “Department” means the Department of Housing and Community Development, and 2. “Building Official” means the Building Official as defined in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Building Code. 103.2 Appointment. {Not Adopted} 103.3 Deputies. {Not Adopted}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 104 Duties and Powers of Building Official

Section 104. Duties and Powers of Building Official 104.1 General. In enforcing this Code, the Building Official may exercise all of the powers specified in § 104.1 of the Baltimore City Building Code. 104.2 Application and permits. {As in IRC} 104.3 Notices and orders. {As in IRC} 104.4 Inspections. The Building Official must make all of the required inspections or accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. All reports of these inspections must be in writing and signed by a responsible officer of the approved agency or by the responsible individual. The Building Official may engage any expert opinion that the Building Official considers necessary to report on unusual technical issues that arise. 104.5 Identification. {As in IRC} 104.6 Right of entry. The Building Official may enter any structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect, subject to constitutional restrictions on unreasonable searches and seizures. If entry is refused or not obtained, the Building Official may pursue recourse as provided by law, including § 104 {“...Powers of Building Official”} of the Baltimore City Building Code. 104.7 Department records. {As in IRC} 104.8 Liability. {Not Adopted. See State Courts Article § 5-302.} 104.9 Approve materials and equipment. {As in IRC} 104.10 Modifications. {As in IRC} 104.10.1 Flood hazard areas. The Building Official may not grant modifications to any provision related to flood hazard areas without a variance having been granted under the Floodplain Management Code. 104.11 Alternative materials and methods. The provisions of this Code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any method of construction not specifically prescribed by this Code, as long as that alternative has been approved. An alternative material or method of construction may be approved if the Building Official finds in writing that, for the purpose intended: 1. the proposed alternative is satisfactory and complies with the intent of this Code, and 2. the material, method, or work offered is at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this Code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and safety. 104.11.1 Tests. {As in IRC}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 105 Permits

Section 105. Permits 105.1 Required. {As in IRC} 105.1.1 Additional requirements. In addition, a permit is required before any person may do any of the work described in § 105.1 of the Baltimore City Building Code. 105.1.2 By whom application may be made. The application for a permit may only be made by a person authorized under: 1. § 105.1.3 {“By whom application to be made”} of the Baltimore City Building Code, 2. § 2706.2 {“Electrical: To whom issued”} and § 2707 {“Licensing requirements”} of the Baltimore City Building Code, 3. § 2802.3 {“Mechanical Systems: To whom issued”} and § 2803 {“Licensing requirements”} of the Baltimore City Building Code, and 4. § 2903.3 {“Plumbing Systems: To whom issued”} and § 2904 {“Licensing requirements”} of the Baltimore City Building Code. 105.2 Work exempt from permit. {Introductory paragraph as in IRC} Building: 1. to 3. {Not Adopted} 4. {As in IRC} 5. {Not Adopted} 6. to 8. {As in IRC} 9. to 10. {Not Adopted} 1. to 2. {As in IRC} 3. {Not Adopted} 4. to 5. {As in IRC} Gas: {As in IRC} Mechanical: {As in IRC} 105.2.1 to 105.2.3 {As in IRC} 105.3 Application for permit. The requirements for obtaining a permit are as set forth in § 105.3 {“Application for permit”} of the Baltimore City Building Code. 105.3.1 Action on application. The required actions by the Building Official are as set forth in § 105.3.1.1 {“General”} and § 105.3.1.2 {“Referral to assess need for traffic mitigation”} of the Baltimore City Building Code. 105.3.1.1 Determination of substantially improved or substantially damaged existing buildings in flood hazard areas. For applications for reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of an existing structure in a flood hazard area, the Building Official must examine the construction documents and prepare findings with regard to whether the structure has sustained “substantial damage”and whether the proposed improvement is a “substantial improvement”, as these terms are defined in and calculated under the Floodplain Management Code. The Building Official must submit these findings to the Floodplain Manager for a determination of “substantial improvement”. Applications determined by the Floodplain Manager to constitute a “substantial improvement” require full compliance with the requirements of the Floodplain Management Code. 105.3.2 Time limitation of application. {As in IRC} 105.4 Validity of permit. {As in IRC} 105.5 Expiration; extension. Unless extended, a permit expires as set forth in § 105.5 {“Expiration; Extension”} of the Baltimore City Building Code. 105.6 Suspension or revocation. The Building Official may suspend or revoke a permit as provided in § 105.6 {“Suspension or revocation”} of the Baltimore City Building Code. 105.7 Placement of permit. {As in IRC} 105.8 Responsibility. {As in IRC} 105.9 Preliminary inspection. {As in IRC}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 106 Construction Documents

Section 106. Construction Documents 106.1 Submittal documents. {As in IRC} 106.1.1 to 106.1.3 {As in IRC} 106.1.4 Information for construction in flood hazard areas. {Not Adopted} {Note: For the establishment of Regulated Flood Hazard Areas and the special regulations and limitations governing development within those areas, see the Floodplain Management Code, City Code Article 7 {“Natural Resources”}, Division I {“Floodplain Management”}.} 106.2 to 106.5 {As in IRC}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 109 Inspections

Section 109. Inspections 109.1 Type of inspection. {As in IRC} 109.1.1 to 109.1.2 {As in IRC} 109.1.3 Floodplain inspections. For construction in a flood hazard area, placement of the lowest floor and before undertaking any further vertical construction, the elevation certificate required by the Floodplain Management Code must be submitted to the Building Official. 109.1.4 to 109.1.5 {As in IRC} 109.1.6 Final inspection. {As in IRC} 109.1.6.1 Elevation documentation. For a structure in a flood hazard area, the documentation of the elevations required by the Floodplain Management Code must be submitted to the Building Official before the final inspection. 109.2 to 109.4 {As in IRC} (Ord. 21-020.)

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 110 Occupancy Permit; Certificate of Completion

Section 110. Occupancy Permit; Certificate of Completion 110.1 General. Occupancy Permits (referred to in the IRC as a “Certificate of Occupancy”) and Certificates of completion are governed by § 111 {“Occupancy Permit; Certificate of Completion”} of the Baltimore City Building Code. 110.2 to 110.5. {Not Adopted}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 112 Administrative and Judicial Review

Section 112. Administrative and Judicial Review 112.1 General. A decision of the Building Official is subject to administrative and judicial review as provided in § 128 {“Administrative and Judicial Review”} of the Baltimore City Building Code. 112.2 to 112.4 {Not Adopted}

Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part X, Section 113 Violations

Section 113. Violations 113.1 to 113.3 {As in IRC} 113.4 Violation penalties. The penalties for a violation of this Code are as provided in § 114 {“Violations”} of the Baltimore City Building Code for a violation of that Code.
Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/building-codes/X/I/1Fetched: 10/25/2026

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