Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 9 of 9 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. OSHA state plan: Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH), Division of Labor and Industry.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | NFPA 1 Fire Code and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, both 2024 editions, with Maryland amendments (COMAR 29.06.01), effective Jun 23, 2025State Fire Prevention Code applies to new and existing buildings, subject to AHJ determinations; it does not apply in Baltimore City except as Public Safety Art. Title 6, Subtitle 4 provides. Errata #1 (Jul 15, 2025) made editorial corrections. 2026 HB 848 (Ch. 66) directs adoption of rules on trash and recyclables awaiting collection in corridors and exits. SourceChecked on the source | State Fire Marshal and local (county/municipal) fire officials jointly enforce; State Fire Prevention Commission adopts the code | In forceIn force since Jun 23, 2025 (2024 NFPA 1 and 101; Fire Prevention Commission FY2025 annual report read Oct 21, 2026). SB 621 (Ch. 67, effective on enactment Apr 14, 2026) directs the Commission to adopt rules on trash and recyclables in corridors and exits; no adopted rule could be confirmed on the primary page; the State Fire Marshal confirms status |
| Building | 2021 International Building Code with Maryland amendments (COMAR 09.12.51, Maryland Building Performance Standards), effective May 29, 2023Rule also adopts the 2021 IRC and 2021 IECC. Maryland substitutes its own Accessibility Code for IBC Ch.11, bars local amendments weakening residential sprinkler provisions, and requires hotel guest-room master power control devices in new hotels. Local jurisdictions implement within 12 months of the effective date. SourceChecked on the source | Local jurisdictions enforce; Dept of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry (Building Codes Administration) administers the standard | In forceProposed update to 2024 IBC, IRC and IECC (COMAR 09.12.51.03-.04, 53:13 Md. R. 593, Jun 26, 2026; comments closed Jul 27, 2026) still pending in the Sep 4, 2026 Register; no final action or effective date confirmed; 2021 editions remain in force |
| Elevators | ASME A17.1-2022/CSA B44:22 (elevators/escalators), ASME A18.1-2023 (platform lifts, stairway chairlifts) and ASME A17.8-2021 (wind turbine tower elevators), each shown as adopted Jun 17, 2026 on the Division of Labor and Industry page; COMAR 09.12.81The Division page states each elevator unit gets a periodic annual inspection and annual re-registration with the Commissioner; the Safety Inspection Unit sends notices, and the page places responsibility for both on the owner. Which code edition applies to an existing unit is confirmed by the Division. SourceChecked on the source | Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry, Safety Inspection (Elevator Unit) | Rulemaking pendingA17.1-2022, A18.1-2023 and A17.8-2021 shown as adopted Jun 17, 2026; no further pending amendment on the page read Oct 19, 2026 |
| Boilers | Maryland Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act (Public Safety Art. Title 12, Subtitle 9) and COMAR 09.12.01 (Board of Boiler Rules)Statute text read: power and high-pressure, high-temperature water boilers get an annual certificate inspection; the Board may extend a power boiler to 2 years with supervised continuous water treatment. Other intervals are set by regulation. Exempt: farm agricultural boilers, heating boilers in private residences or apartment houses under six units, certain exhibition boilers. COMAR 09.12.01 text not read. SourceChecked on the source | Division of Labor and Industry, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Inspection Unit; insurer-employed special inspectors also qualify | In forceIn force per statute read Oct 19, 2026; no pending amendment found |
| Pools | COMAR 10.17.01 (Public Swimming Pools and Spas, operations), repealed and replaced with new Regulations .01-.47 effective Oct 1, 2026; COMAR 9.12.56 (Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Standards, plan review), effective Jan 1, 2024Rewritten 10.17.01 adopted Aug 11, 2026 as proposed (53:12 Md. R. 545) and incorporates a document by reference; operators should review the new text with their local health department. Local health departments license and inspect; COMAR 10.17.02 covers AEDs. SourceChecked on the source | Maryland Department of Health (standards); local health departments (licensing and inspection) | Rulemaking pendingRewritten COMAR 10.17.01 in force Oct 1, 2026 (final action, Maryland Register 53:18, Sep 4, 2026, read on the primary page Oct 28, 2026); specific operator changes not yet summarized in this record |
| Lodging | No statewide hotel license found (local jurisdictions permit hotels/motels); statewide safety mandate: guest-room carbon monoxide alarms, Public Safety Art. Section 12-1104(b), effective Apr 1, 2017Statute text read: hotels, lodging and rooming houses need CO alarms in guest rooms that have or adjoin CO-producing equipment or an enclosed unventilated attached garage, and in other such rooms; a centralized alarm audible to occupants with alarms within 25 feet of the equipment is the alternative. Local jurisdictions license hotels. SourceChecked on the source | Local jurisdictions license/inspect hotels; State Fire Marshal enforces the fire code in lodging occupancies; the CO-alarm statute is self-executing | In forceIn force since Apr 1, 2017; no pending statewide lodging mandate found |
| Workplace | OSHA-approved State Plan: Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH), within the Dept of Labor's Division of Labor and IndustryMOSH covers private-sector and state/local government employers; excluded: maritime, military bases, certain USPS contractor operations, aircraft cabin crew in operation, certain federal property, and federal employers. Federal OSHA keeps Section 11(c) private-sector retaliation enforcement. Initial approval Jul 5, 1973; final approval Jul 18, 1985, amended Apr 27, 2026 (91 FR 22549). SourceChecked on the source | Maryland Department of Labor, MOSH, under the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Act | In force |
| Retrofit | HB149 (2026), Chapter 422, Public Safety Art. 9-102: automatic sprinklers plus listed life-safety features required in residential rental high-rises undergoing substantial renovation with building permits on/after Oct 1, 2026; corridor smoke detectors required since Jul 31, 2025Residential rental high-rise: occupiable floor over 75 ft above fire-department access. Substantial renovation: cost at least 40% of SDAT-assessed value (counties may count four years of permits). Added features include sleeping-area smoke/heat detection, rated stairwells and corridor doors, smokeproof exits, two smoke compartments per floor. Chapter 422 of 2026 (text read Oct 19, 2026). SourceChecked on the source | Office of the State Fire Marshal, with local fire officials and assistant State fire marshals | Retrofit trigger Oct 1, 2026Act effective Oct 1, 2026 (Ch. 422, approved May 12, 2026); sprinkler trigger is permit-based (permits on or after Oct 1, 2026). The State Fire Prevention Commission must adopt fire alarm technician and company licensing rules; the fiscal note expects licensing in fiscal 2027 or 2028; no rule seen |
| Environmental | Maryland layer (MDE): all regulated USTs registered (Oil Control Program); AST facilities over 2,500 gal aggregate register (COMAR 26.10.01.10); permit exemptions for emergency engines under 500 bhp (26.11.02.10); sewage overflow phone report within 24 hours (26.08.10.03); asbestos project signs (26.11.21.06). Federal EPA rules also applyUST: all regulated USTs register with MDE; workers on UST systems need MDE certification. AST systems over 2,500 gal register (26.10.01.10). Sewage overflows: phone report within 24 hours (26.08.10.03). Asbestos projects of 160 sq ft/260 ft or more: signs posted 3 days ahead (26.11.21.06). No statewide lift-station, backflow or grease rule found. SourceChecked on the source | Maryland Department of the Environment (air, asbestos, water, tanks); local health departments; U.S. EPA; local sewer and water utilities | Change Mar 1, 2027Federal dates: Tier II filing Mar 1, 2027; leak detection for existing 1,500 lb+ commercial refrigeration Jan 1, 2027. UST registration and AST registration are confirmed with MDE Oil Control Program |
What our record said before and after each change, with the date and the official source. A change to the record is not by itself a change in the law: an edition, a date or a source may have been corrected or made more precise. Confirm the current text with the authority.
NFPA 1 Fire Code and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, both 2024 editions, with Maryland amendments (COMAR 29.06.01), effective Jun 23, 2025. State Fire Prevention Code applies to new and existing buildings, subject to AHJ determinations; it does not apply in Baltimore City except as Public Safety Art. Title 6, Subtitle 4 provides. Errata #1 (Jul 15, 2025) made editorial corrections. 2026 HB 848 (Ch. 66) directs adoption of rules on trash and recyclables awaiting collection in corridors and exits. Enforced by: State Fire Marshal and local (county/municipal) fire officials jointly enforce; State Fire Prevention Commission adopts the code.
2021 International Building Code with Maryland amendments (COMAR 09.12.51, Maryland Building Performance Standards), effective May 29, 2023. Rule also adopts the 2021 IRC and 2021 IECC. Maryland substitutes its own Accessibility Code for IBC Ch.11, bars local amendments weakening residential sprinkler provisions, and requires hotel guest-room master power control devices in new hotels. Local jurisdictions implement within 12 months of the effective date. Enforced by: Local jurisdictions enforce; Dept of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry (Building Codes Administration) administers the standard.
Elevators: Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry, Safety Inspection (Elevator Unit) (ASME A17.1-2022/CSA B44:22 (elevators/escalators), ASME A18.1-2023 (platform lifts, stairway chairlifts) and ASME A17.8-2021 (wind turbine tower elevators), each shown as adopted Jun 17, 2026 on the Division of Labor and Industry page; COMAR 09.12.81). Boilers: Division of Labor and Industry, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Inspection Unit; insurer-employed special inspectors also qualify (Maryland Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act (Public Safety Art. Title 12, Subtitle 9) and COMAR 09.12.01 (Board of Boiler Rules)).
Maryland runs an OSHA-approved state plan: Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH), Division of Labor and Industry. The state agency enforces workplace safety rules for most private employers.
Elevators: Rulemaking pending (A17.1-2022, A18.1-2023 and A17.8-2021 shown as adopted Jun 17, 2026; no further pending amendment on the page read Oct 19, 2026); Pools: Rulemaking pending (Rewritten COMAR 10.17.01 in force Oct 1, 2026 (final action, Maryland Register 53:18, Sep 4, 2026, read on the primary page Oct 28, 2026); specific operator cha); Retrofit/Recertification: Retrofit trigger Oct 1, 2026 (Act effective Oct 1, 2026 (Ch. 422, approved May 12, 2026); sprinkler trigger is permit-based (permits on or after Oct 1, 2026). The State Fire Prevention Commi); Jan 1, 2027: Automatic leak detection on existing 1,500 lb+ HFC commercial refrigeration; Jan 13, 2027: 2027 regular session of the Maryland General Assembly convenes in Annapolis (through Apr 12, 2027) - watch for fire, building-code, elevator, boiler and pool bills.
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