2012 Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS - COMAR 05.02.07)
Intro/Brief:
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Codes Administration has officially updated the Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS) to reference the 2012 ICC Codes, including the 2012 IECC, for all new and renovated residential and commercial buildings. The November 18 notice in the Maryland Register also updated the Maryland Model Performance Code (MPC), which applies to state-owned construction and industrialized/modular construction. The new codes will be effective January 1, 2012.
Per legislation (SB 625) passed in May 2009, DHCD must update the MBPS to incorporate the latest applicable ICC codes within 12 months of publication of the new code editions. The 2010 Maryland Building Performance Standards (COMAR 05.02.07)incorporate by reference the 2009 editions of the IBC, the IRC, and the IECC. These regulations became effective January 1, 2010.
As Maryland is a home rule state, each of its 57 local jurisdictions may modify these codes to suit local conditions (see here for locally adopted code amendments). The energy and accessibility codes, however, are exempt from home rule, and municipalities may only amend those codes to be more stringent than the MBPS. Local jurisdictions are expected to adopt and implement their amendments to the current MBPS within six months of adoption by DHCD, or around July 1, 2012.
DHCD will host a series of 20 code official trainings on the 2012 ICC codes throughout the state in fall 2011 and winter 2012, including two 2012 IECC trainings held on October 25 and November 17 and two more scheduled for January 18, and January 24.
In May 2011, the state also passed legislation (HB 972) approving the 2012 International Green Construction Code (IGCC) for adoption by all local jurisdictions across the state. It allows local jurisdictions to adopt and amend the IGCC as an optional code in addition to the mandatory MBPS, if DHCD chooses not to adopt the IGCC as an optional additional code. HB 972 makes Maryland the first state to incorporate the IGCC on a large scale ahead of the final 2012 IGCC hearings this year. The enactment date of March 2012 targets the launch of the fully-vetted 2012 version of the IGCC.
More Information: 2012 MBPS | Maryland Register Nov. 18 (page 1500) | MD Codes Admin | DHCD | SB 625 | 2010 MBPS | HB 972
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Based on:
Date Passed:
Friday, November 18, 2011
Date Effective:
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Notes & Exceptions:
NOTE: Not effective until January 1, 2012
