# Business Regulation (GBR)

## Title 4.5. Home Builder Registration

### Subtitle 6. Miscellaneous Provisions

#### Section 4.5-601

(a) Except for a building permit for construction to be performed directly by a landowner solely for the landowner's own use, the building and permits department of a county may not issue a permit for home building unless:

  (1) the permit includes the home builder registration number of a registrant; and

  (2) the person pays the Guaranty Fund fee required under Sec. 4.5-704 of this title.

(b) Before issuing a permit for home building to a landowner, the building and permits department of a county shall obtain the signature of the landowner affirming that the permit is being issued solely for the purpose of the landowner performing work on the landowner's own property.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve a registrant from the obligation to obtain all other permits, licenses, and other authorizations for the construction of a new home.

#### Section 4.5-602

(a) In this section, "building code" includes a code provision concerning mechanical, electrical, fire, plumbing, energy, heating, ventilation, or air-conditioning matters.

(b) A county or municipal corporation shall notify the Director of each registrant who fails to correct a violation of the applicable local or State building code within a reasonable time after the registrant receives notice of the violation.

#### Section 4.5-603

(a)

  (1) This subsection applies only to a development that contains 11 or more new homes to be built by the same registrant.

  (2) Prior to the execution of any contract for the initial sale of a new home, a registrant shall provide the purchaser with written information about any energy-efficient options, including a statement that tax credits may be available related to the energy-efficient options, that are available for installation in the home before construction of the home is completed.

(b) A registrant shall include in any contract for the initial sale of a new home the information required under Sec. 14-117(a)(3), (i), and (m) of the Real Property Article, if applicable.

#### Section 4.5-604

A home builder who installs an industrialized building intended for residential use or a mobile home is responsible to the owner for correcting any defects in any component incorporated into the new home except for those industrialized buildings or mobile homes that are the responsibility of the manufacturer of the industrialized building and mobile home pursuant to Title 12, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article.

#### Section 4.5-605

A contract for the performance of any act for which a home builder registration number is required is not enforceable unless the home builder was registered at the time that the contract was signed by the owner.

#### Section 4.5-606

(a) In this section, "appliance" includes a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system.

(b) A registrant shall provide, at the time of closing for the initial sale of a new home, the warranty information for each appliance in the new home that was registered by the registrant, including:

  (1) the date the registrant registered the warranty; and

  (2) the time remaining under the warranty.

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Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)