Building Energy Code

June 18, 2023

Summary

NOTE: Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP websites.

The Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS) are adopted by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Codes Administration. As required by legislation passed in 2009, DHCD must update the MBPS to incorporate the latest applicable IECC codes within 12 months of publication of the new code editions. The latest version of the Maryland Building Performance Standards, incorporating the 2018 IECC, became effective on March 25, 2019.

The MBPS is mandatory statewide. Builders must demonstrate compliance to local government (cities, counties) that have adopted the code. In cities and counties that have not adopted the code, the builder must certify code compliance to the serving electric utility as a condition for electrical service. The new standards are posted on the web site.

Legislation signed in May 2011 (HB 972) made Maryland the first state to allow its jurisdictions to voluntarily adopt the International Green Construction Code beginning in March 2012.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Regulatory Policy
State:	Maryland
Incentive Type:	Building Energy Code
Web Site:	https://www.energycodes.gov/status/states/maryland
Administrator:
Start Date:	Effective for 2015 IECC codes
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building
Residential Code:	2018 Maryland Building Performance Standards, based on 2018 IECC Can use REScheck as compliance tools
Commercial Code:	2018 IECC and ASHRAE standard 90.1-2016 Can use COMcheck as compliance tools
Code Change Cycle:	Codes are usually reviewed every three years with the publication of the new editions of the model code. Last update effective March 25, 2019.
Jurisdictions:	Mandatory statewide

Contact

Name:	Jim Magliano
Organization:	Maryland Department of Housing and Community
Address:	100 Community Place Crownsville MD 21032
Phone:	(410) 514-7216
Email:	magliano@dhcd.state.md.us

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.