Building

As we have done in the past, any complete permit application submittals received prior to May 29, 2024 will be reviewed and approved under the current 2018 IRC, IBC and IECC codes. Incomplete permit applications will not be accepted.  Any pending permit applications currently in for review or submitted prior to May 29th must be issued within six (6) months of that effective date, or November 29, 2024 or the permit application will be voided. Please review the attached permit checklist as a reminder on what constitutes a complete permit application submittal.

We have identified the most significant changes to the 2021 Codes as follows; HOWEVER, this is not an all-inclusive list of changes:
  

1. The new codes incorporate an increase in energy efficiency related requirements including:
   •  Under the prescriptive pathway, residential structures will be subject to increased insulation thickness in the ceiling and wall areas as well as increased thermal efficiency of doors and windows. Specifically, ceiling insulation R values increase to 60 (from 49) and wall to 30 (from 20).  In addition, owners/contractors will be required to select additional energy improvement options - higher efficiency HVAC, more efficient water heating equipment, building envelope efficiency improvements, or improved ventilation equipment. 
   •  Alternatively, under the performance pathway, the prior 2018 IRC insulation levels (49 ceiling and 20 wall) may be installed, but the owner/builder must add additional energy conservation systems/components to achieve a 6% efficiency improvement. The State has published a list of additional energy features such as adding high performance windows, high performance HVAC systems, solar systems, decreased building leakage rates, and/or energy efficient appliances (specific Energy Star requirements). State adoption and tables are located at 09.12.50--09.12.58.pdf (state.md.us).
   •  Energy code compliance will require additional third-party certifications. The 2021 Energy Code requires third party testing of building ventilation in addition to the building tightness testing. Lighting is required to be high efficacy, with motion or dimmer switches required in most locations for residential structures. Commercial buildings will require building envelope testing, HVAC testing and certification by a third party for energy code compliance. 
2. Fire-rated doors between garages and the dwelling shall be self-latching and self-closing.
3. Vapor retarder thickness is increasing to 10 mil from 6 mil under concrete slabs.
4. Additional residential (2021 IRC) safety item changes include skylight glass retention systems, ceiling heights frame limits, emergency escape openings, window fall protection, smoke/carbon monoxide alarm locations, and wind bracing.
5. Commercial (2021 IBC) code changes include revised occupancy classifications, fire safety, means of egress, accessibility, building envelope, structural certification (for high-risk buildings), window/door assemblies and foundation construction.
6. Deck standards are now included in the 2021 IRC.  Previously, decks were included in a separate standard.

We are continually checking with State Dept. of Labor for any scheduled training seminars for this new Code.   If we get notification of scheduled events, we will send out another email. You can also check periodically through the following link:  https://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/build/buildadmin.shtml

If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to contact our Department.