(a)      (1)      Not later than June 1, 1966, the County Commissioners of Charles County shall adopt a building code for the county which shall specify standards for the construction, maintenance and repair of all buildings and structures located in the county. The building code shall substantially conform to the basic building code adopted by the Building Officials Conference of America. The County Commissioners may from time to time amend the code, but only after a public hearing on the proposed changes.

            (2)      The County Commissioners are authorized to impose a fee for any permit issued under the building code.

            (3)      The Charles County Commissioners shall appoint a building inspector for the county and such assistant inspectors as may be required at the salaries fixed in the annual county budget. The inspectors shall enforce the building code and in addition shall enforce the rules and regulations adopted by the commission.

      (b)      The County Commissioners may provide penalties for violations of the building code.

      (c)      All farm buildings and all other outbuildings with a cost less than $2,500.00 shall not be subject to the provisions of any building code adopted under this section.