<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 29.06.04.04" title_num="29" subtitle_num="06" chapter_num="04" heading="Fees in General.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Fee Computation. The amount of the fee for the following services shall be computed in accordance with Regulations .05—.07 of this chapter:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Plan review, and use and occupancy inspection;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Fire protection system plan review and inspection; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Fire safety inspection.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Fee Payment for Plan Review and Use and Occupancy Inspections.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Fees for plan review and use and occupancy inspections are payable upon receipt of an invoice from the State fire authority of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Preliminary or construction plans for the construction of a new building, addition, expansion, or renovation of an existing building or facility; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Plans for a fire protection system.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Fee payments shall be reviewed by the State fire authority to ensure that they are in the proper amount. If a fee payment is incorrect, an invoice requesting the balance of the fee shall be sent to the person identified on the original invoice.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Failure to pay the fee within the required time shall result in appropriate administrative or legal action. Further plan review or inspection action may not take place until the fee is paid in full. This may result in the delay of the issuance of a building permit, or use and occupancy permit, for the building or facility.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Fee Payment for Fire Safety Inspections.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Fees for fire safety inspections are payable upon receipt of an invoice from the State fire authority upon completion of the inspection. Failure to pay this fee within the specified time may result in:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Administrative or legal action;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>No further inspection activity;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Denial of the issuance or renewal of a permit or license held by the facility being inspected; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Violation of Public Safety Article, §§6-601, 6-317, 9-109, 9-206, or 9-905, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The fire safety inspection fee may not be charged if the initial inspection is conducted in response to a specific complaint regarding an alleged violation of the Code.  Any reinspection based on the initial inspection is subject to the fees outlined in Regulation .07C of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The fire safety inspection fee may not be charged if the initial inspection is initiated by the State fire authority.  Any reinspection based on the initial inspection is subject to the fees outlined in Regulation .07C of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Payment Method.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Fee payments shall be made payable to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Cash payment is not acceptable.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Fee payment shall be in the form of a check, money order, or other approved means.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Disputes Over Fees.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Disputes regarding the amount of the fee charged and any other matter related to the charging of a fee shall be resolved in accordance with administrative procedures adopted by the State fire authority.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An appeal of an administrative finding by the State Fire Marshal may be made to the State Fire Prevention Commission in accordance with procedures in COMAR 29.06.02.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Technical Assistance, Unclassified Inspections, and Special Events. Fees for technical assistance, unclassified inspections, and special events shall be based upon criteria required in Regulation .08 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>