Under the Department are four divisions: Building Services, Electrical Services, Housing Services, and Plumbing Services.
BUILDING SERVICES DIVISION
To obtain building permits for additions, remodeling, renovations, deck construction or replacement, or building a new home, plans must be submitted to the Building Services Division for approval.
Assisting the Building Services Division is the Mechanical Board.
For related systems, homeowners must apply for a mechanical permit prior to performing any work themselves. Issued after successfully passing the exam, the permit is good for twelve months.
The Board also hears allegations of misconduct against those certified to work on mechanical systems. If guilty, the Board may rule for a revocation of license.
Composed of six members, the Board has five members appointed by County Executive with County Council consent to a term coterminous to the County Executive. A representative of the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits serves ex officio (County Code, sec. 16-11.1).
ELECTRICAL SERVICES DIVISION
The Electrical Services Division is aided by the Board of Electrical Examiners.
Homeowners must apply for a one-time homeowners permit to perform electrical work in their own home. An exam is required for the homeowners permit.
Five members constitute the Board. Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, members serve terms coterminous with the County Executive. Officers are elected by the Board (County Code, secs. 16-3, 105-11 through 105-18).
HOUSING SERVICES DIVISION
PLUMBING & MECHANICAL SERVICES DIVISION
To perform plumbing work in their own home, homeowners must apply for a one-time homeowners permit. An exam is required for the homeowners permit. No gas-related plumbing work may be done under the homeowners permit.
The Plumbing and Mechanical Services Division is assisted by the Plumbing Board.
Appointed by County Executive with County Council consent, five members serve terms coterminous with the County Executive. The Board elects the Chair (County Code, sec. 16-7).
The Board's five members are appointed by the County Executive with advice and consent of the Harford County Delegation to the General Assembly, and the County Council. Members serve three-year terms (Code Alcoholic Beverages Article, secs. 22-101 through 22-209).
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The Building Services Division issues licenses and permits for commercial and residential construction. For construction plans involving other divisions within the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits, the Division coordinates all related licenses and permits. Permits issued through the Division include those for building, altering, or demolishing a structure; changing the use of a structure; or installing any equipment regulated by the County Code. Building permits for manufactured or mobile homes also are issued by the Division.
MECHANICAL BOARD
Established in February 2010, the Mechanical Board conducts examinations of applicants for mechanical licenses. Contractors must have this license to perform work on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration units, or geothermal systems. Applicants may apply for a general mechanical license, or a specialized license applying to only one area.
Responsible for the enforcement of the electrical code, and licensing electrical work performed in the County, the Electrical Services Division maintains a staff of certified electrical inspectors. The Division coordinates and conducts inspections with contractors, and maintains a record of all certified electrical work conducted in the County.
BOARD OF ELECTRICAL EXAMINERS
The Board of Electrical Examiners advises the Director of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits on matters related to the issuance of electrical licenses and permits. In addition, the Board conducts examinations for all applicants for electrician licenses, and forwards results to the Director of the Department for final authorization. In cases where the applicant is licensed elsewhere in Maryland, or by the Maryland Department of Labor, the Board may request the Director to waive the examination.
The Housing Services Division enforces livability standards established by State and local ordinances. Conducting inspections of standard and commercial residential contstruction, the Division also inspects manufactured and mobile homes. For mobile homes, the Division issues permits for electrical, and plumbing work, and coordinates related inspections. In addition, the Division investigates complaints related to landlord disputes, and abandoned or unsafe structures.
The Plumbing and Mechanical Services Division licenses and inspects all plumbing and gas work performed in the County. In addition, the Division licenses and inspects mechanical work (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, & geothermal systems). Related exams are administered by the Division, which maintains records regarding license holders, and inspectors.
PLUMBING BOARD
The Plumbing Board establishes rules and regulations for those holding plumbing licenses in the County. The Board also hears allegations of misconduct of certified plumbers. In findings of guilt, the Board may rule for a revocation of license.
BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
The Board of License Commissioners regulates the retail sale of alcoholic beverages in Harford County (Code Alcoholic Beverages Article, secs. 22-101 through 22-2802).
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