Building Safety in Wicomico County, MD (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Wicomico County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
In unincorporated Wicomico County, the Housing Code bans applying lead-based paint with more than five-tenths of one percent lead content to any interior or exterior surface of a dwelling, dwelling unit or child-care facility, including fences and outbuildings. Existing painted surfaces already over that threshold must be removed under Maryland law.
Wicomico County Lead-Based Paint Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWicomico County Code § 160-37
C. Lead-based paint with lead content of more than 5/10 of 1% shall not be applied to any interior or exterior surface of a dwelling, dwelling unit or child-care facility, including fences and outbuildings at these locations. Existing interior and exterior painted surfaces of dwelling units and child-care facilities in excess of 5/10 of 1% lead shall be removed in accordance with State of Maryl...
Childcare Center Rules
Unincorporated Wicomico County classifies child care by headcount: a 'center' serves nine or more unrelated children under § 225-25, while family day-care tops out at eight. A day-care center in the R-20 Residential District needs a Board of Appeals special exception, a five-acre lot, 50-foot setbacks and buffered play areas under § 225-82, and Fire Marshal inspections carry their own fee under § 141-3.
Wicomico County Day-Care Center Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsWicomico County Code §§ 225-25, 141-3, 225-82
CENTER An agency, institution or establishment licensed/registered by the appropriate state agency, that for part of a twenty-four-hour day, on a regular basis, offers or provides child care to nine or more children who do not have the same parentage. ... § 141-3. Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development. ... A. Fees enumerated. ... Firesafety inspections: ... Education occupanc...
Door Locking Hardware
In unincorporated Wicomico County, the Housing Code requires every dwelling door to have proper, securely attached hardware kept in good condition, and bans hasp lock assemblies except for storage doors. A separate exterior-maintenance section requires every dwelling's door locks to be in good repair and capable of tightly securing the door.
Wicomico County Door Lock Requirements
Some RestrictionsWicomico County Code §§ 160-38, 160-54
B. Every door shall be provided with proper hardware, securely attached and maintained in good condition. Hasp lock assemblies are not permitted on doors unless used for storage only. ... ... J. Every exterior door, door hinge and door latch shall be maintained in good condition. Door locks in all dwelling units shall be in good repair and capable of tightly securing the door.
Building Permits
Anyone who wants to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure in unincorporated Wicomico County, or erect a sign, must first apply to the Chief Building Official and obtain a permit under § 117-3 of the County Code, which modifies the adopted International Building Code's permit-required section.
Building Permits Required in Wicomico County
Some RestrictionsWicomico County Code § 117-3
§ 117-3. Modifications to International Building Code. ... ... D. Section [A]105.1, Required: delete this section and replace with the following: [A] 105.1 Permit required. 1. Any owner, authorized agent or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, to erect or construct a sign of any ...
Electrical Permits
Unincorporated Wicomico County requires a permit from the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development before any electrical work begins, and all installations must meet the National Electrical Code as adopted locally. Only registered electricians may pull the permit except for narrow owner-occupant exceptions.
Electrical Permit Rules in Wicomico County
Some RestrictionsWicomico County Code § 138-24
Any person permitted to install electrical work must first secure a permit to do so from the Wicomico County Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development before starting any such work. ... ... D. The Board shall adopt as standards for the installation of electrical work, apparatus and devices of all kinds, those required from time to time by the National Electrical Code and Wicomico...
Plumbing Permits
Plumbing work in unincorporated Wicomico County cannot begin until the Plumbing Official issues a permit, with minor faucet and valve repairs exempted; starting work first doubles the permit fee and risks a civil infraction of up to $1,000 per day.
Wicomico County Plumbing Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsWicomico County Code § 183-20
Permit required. Plumbing work shall not be commenced until a permit for such work has been issued by the Plumbing Official. Repairs which involve only the working parts of a faucet or valve, the clearance of stoppages or the repairing or the replacement of defective faucets or valves may be made without a permit, provided that alterations are not made in the existing piping or fixtures.
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