J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                      1253

AND TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
THEREOF. IN THE EVENT THE AUTHORITY TO ADOPT A
PLUMBING CODE IS EXERCISED, THE COUNTY COMMIS-
SIONERS SHALL APPOINT AN ADVISORY PLUMBING BOARD,
WITH FOUR YEAR TERMS OF OFFICE, CONSISTING OF A
MEDICAL DOCTOR, A PLUMBER, AND ONE OTHER PERSON
TO ASSIST IN THE DRAFTING AND PROMULGATION OF SAID
PLUMBING CODE AND ITS ENFORCEMENT.

(2) THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HARFORD,
KENT AND ALLEGANY COUNTIES MAY ADOPT, AND
FROM TIME TO TIME MAY AMEND, SUPPLEMENT
OR ABROGATE, A BUILDING CODE AND A HOUS-
ING CODE, OR EITHER OF SUCH CODES. THE BUILD-
ING CODE, IF ADOPTED, SHALL PROVIDE AND PRE-
SCRIBE REGULATIONS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BUILD-
ING PERMITS TO BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO THE
CONSTRUCTION OR IMPROVEMENT OF ANY BUILDING;
AND ANY SUCH CODE SHALL PRESCRIBE STANDARDS OF
CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR, COVERING
STRUCTURAL SAFETY, FIRE PREVENTION REQUIRE-
MENTS, LIGHTS AND VENTILATION, AND PROPER MEANS
OF INGRESS AND EGRESS. THE HOUSING CODE, IF ADOPT-
ED, SHALL PROVIDE AND PRESCRIBE REGULATIONS AND
STANDARDS FOR HUMAN HABITATION, COVERING SANI-
TATION, DENSITY OF OCCUPANCY, OPEN SPACE REQUIRE-
MENTS, RODENT INFESTATION, AND HUMAN STANDARDS
OF OCCUPANCY.

A BUILDING CODE AND A HOUSING CODE, IF EITHER IS
ADOPTED, AND ALL REGULATIONS THEREUNDER, SHALL
BE DESIGNED TO ASSURE AND PROTECT THE PUBLIC
HEALTH, SAFETY, COMFORT, AND MORAL AND ECONOMIC
WELFARE. THEY MAY INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR EN-
FORCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPOINTMENT AND MAIN-
TENANCE OF INSPECTORS AND INCLUDING PENALTIES
FOR VIOLATION OF EITHER A CODE OR THE REGULATIONS
THEREUNDER.

ANY SUCH CODE MAY INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE A
PORTION OR ALL, IF APPLICABLE, OF EITHER A BUILDING
CODE OR A HOUSING CODE, AS THE CASE MAY BE, ISSUED
OR PROPOSED AND MADE AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL CIR-
CULATION BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR BY ANY
TRADE OR PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION; BUT ANY SUB-
SEQUENT AMENDMENT TO OR CHANGE IN WHATEVER IS
ADOPTED BY REFERENCE SHALL NOT BE EFFECTIVE IN
HARFORD, KENT AND ALLEGANY COUNTIES UNTIL AND
UNLESS IT IS SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED THEREIN BY
ACTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

ALL BUILDINGS ON A FARM AND ON ANY PREMISES DE-
VOTED SOLELY TO AGRICULTURAL PURSUITS ARE EX-
EMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS AND THE APPLICATION OF
BOTH BUILDING AND HOUSING CODES.

(Z) TO CREATE, CHANGE, OR ABOLISH OFFICES AND
DEPARTMENTS AND TO ASSIGN ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS