1.3                   Professional Seal Requirements

1.3.1       Building Permit Professional Seal Requirements

Architectural and engineering drawings shall be stamped with a current license seal and signed by a Maryland-licensed Architect or Professional Engineer. Each sheet shall bear the original seal and signature of the responsible Maryland registered Architect or Professional Engineer, as applicable. Digital signature by licensees are acceptable in accordance with COMAR 09.23.03.09.

Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR 09.23.03.09) requires, in part, the following:

“A licensee may sign or seal plans, specifications, drawings, reports, or other documents that are required to be signed and sealed pursuant to Business Occupations and Professions Article, §3-501, Annotated Code of Maryland, only if the following requirements are met:

1)     The licensee is competent in the subject matter of those documents by virtue of education or experience, or both; and

2)     The licensee either:

a)     Personally, prepared the documents; or

b)     Approved the documents.”

1.3.2       Title Block Requirements for Building Permit Drawings

Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR 09.21.02.04), partially quoted below, requires that all drawings submitted for a building permit review shall have the following:

A.     The name of the entity shall appear in the title block, either as a Partnership, Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC), or other appropriate entity. In addition, the title block shall contain a date, printed name, signature and seal of one of the directors of a corporation, general partners of a partnership or members of a limited liability company, who prepared or approved the documents in accordance with these regulations.

B.     The directors of a corporation, partners of a partnership, or members of a limited liability company through which architecture is practiced, may designate another employee of the entity to sign and seal the documents in accordance with the requirements set forth in these regulations if the designee:

1.      Is licensed in the State to practice architecture; and

2.      Prepared or approved the documents for a particular project in accordance with these regulations.

C.      In addition, the title block shall contain the following certification:

“Professional Certification.

I certify that these documents were prepared or approved by me, and that I am a duly licensed <insert Architect or Professional Engineer as appropriate> under the laws of the State of Maryland, license number _____, expiration date _______.”

Title block, certification, seal, and signature shall appear in close proximity to each other.

1.3.3       Exclusions for Professional Seal

Below are types of projects that require a Permit, but for which signed and sealed architectural/engineering drawings are not required:

A.     Installation of collision bollards.

B.     Fences less than six feet high.

C.      Sidewalks not part of accessible route.

D.     Portable heating appliances or cooling unit.

E.      Tiling, carpeting, built-in cabinets, and countertops.

F.      Wall mounted signage, unless determined by the Permits Section to pose a threat to public safety.

G.     Single Trade Permits*

H.     Installation Permits*

* The Permit Committee reserves the right to ask for sealed drawings or details from a professional architect or engineer if the project involves alteration to means of ingress/egress or there are other public safety considerations.