[Amended in its entirety 4-22-2008 by Bill No. 08-2]
As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DEPARTMENT
The County department designated by the County Commissioners to administer and enforce this Subtitle.
PROVIDE PLUMBING SERVICES
To install, maintain, extend, alter or remove piping, a plumbing fixture, a plumbing appliance, a plumbing appurtenance or other plumbing apparatus: (1) within or adjacent to a building, structure or property; and (2) in connection with a public or private disposal system, sanitary drainage facility or storm drainage facility; or a venting system; or a public or private water supply system. Except for the first connection to a potable water supply that is downstream of a backflow preventer and the final connection that discharges indirectly into a public or private disposal system, sanitary drainage facility or storm drainage facility, "provide plumbing services" does not include using piping, equipment or material only for: (1) environmental control; or (2) the incorporation of a liquid or gas into a product or into a process, including product development, in the manufacture or storage of a product; or (3) the installation, alteration, repair or removal of an automatic sprinkler system, related apparatus or standpipe that is used only for fire protection; or (4) an overhead or underground fire line beginning from where water is used only for fire protection; or (5) strictly agricultural uses not connected to any other system; provided, however, that a backflow preventer to prevent backsiphonage of contaminated water into the water supply shall be installed between individual agricultural systems and between an agricultural system and any water supply; or (6) minor repair and maintenance of existing facilities or installations.
STATE PLUMBING CODE
The regulations adopted by the Secretary of the State Plumbing Board, as amended by the State Plumbing Board, to provide standards that: (1) are based on principles of environmental sanitation and safety; and (2) provide for properly designed, acceptably installed and adequately maintained plumbing systems.
The State Plumbing Code is hereby adopted and shall be in force in Worcester County. The provisions of this Subtitle relating to permits and inspections shall not apply in any area of the County where the provisions of the State Plumbing Code are enforced by a duly constituted municipal government. Where the provisions of this Subtitle are in conflict with the State Plumbing Code, then the provisions herein shall govern.
(a) 
Permit and inspection required. No person shall provide any plumbing services except as hereinafter provided without obtaining a permit and having such work or installation inspected as herein provided.
(b) 
Issuance of permit. A permit for any such work shall be obtained from the Department before commencing such work. A fee may be charged for such permit. In the case of a bona fide emergency where imminent danger to life and property is present, work may be commenced, provided that a permit must be obtained within twelve hours of the next time the Department is open for business.
(c) 
Inspection of work. All work shall be inspected by a duly designated County inspector or inspection agency and a report filed with the Department.
(d) 
Private inspection agencies authorized. The County Commissioners may designate and contract with private inspection agencies to perform any inspections.
(e) 
Repairs and maintenance without permit. Repairs and maintenance of existing facilities or installations shall not be subject to inspection or require a permit.
(f) 
Fees. Fees for permits and inspections shall be set by resolution of the County Commissioners, collected by the Department and paid to the general fund of the County. Where the County Commissioners have contracted with a private inspection agency to perform plumbing inspections, the contract shall set forth the inspection fees, and those fees may be collected directly by the inspection agency.
(g) 
Use of plumbing. No plumbing shall be used until it has passed a final inspection.
Inspectors shall be appointed by the County Commissioners and be qualified pursuant to state law. No fee shall be paid to a plumbing inspector for an inspection hereunder other than by the County Commissioners.
Plumbing inspectors shall have all rights of entry as are necessary and proper to ensure compliance herewith.
Any person who violates the provisions of this Subtitle shall be guilty of a civil infraction.