Maryland Public Safety Section 12-503

      (a)      (1)      The Department shall adopt by regulation, as the Maryland Building Performance Standards, the International Building Code with the modifications incorporated by the Department under subsection (b) of this section.

            (2)      The Department shall adopt each subsequent version of the Standards within 12 months after it is issued.

      (b)      (1)      Before adopting each version of the Standards, the Department shall:

                  (i)      review the International Building Code to determine whether modifications should be incorporated in the Standards;

                  (ii)      accept written comments;

                  (iii)      consider any comments received; and

                  (iv)      hold a public hearing on each proposed modification.

            (2)      The Department may not adopt, as part of the Standards, a modification of a building code requirement that is more stringent than the requirement in the International Building Code.

      (c)      The Standards apply to each building or structure in the State for which a building permit application is received by a local jurisdiction on or after August 1, 1995.