Revised 05/03/2019
City of Annapolis
Finance Office
160 Duke of Gloucester Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-2517
Finance@annapolis.gov • 410-263-7952 • 410-263-7953 • Fax 410-263-7529 • TDD 410-263-7943 • www.annapolis.gov
Sprinkler and Electrical Cost Assistance Program
The City of Annapolis’ Sprinkler and Electrical Cost Assistance Program guidelines are outlined below under City Code
Section 17.20.160.
A. Purpose
The Director of Finance shall establish and maintain a Sprinkler Assistance Revolving Fund and an Electrical Assistance
Revolving Fund and necessary procedures for the purpose of encouraging the installation of sprinklers and upgrading of
electrical systems in older buildings so as to increase the safety of residents and to minimize damage resulting from fire and to
allow greater utilization of currently vacant or underutilized space. The Sprinkler Assistance Revolving Fund will operate by
making low cost loans to developers or property owners of older buildings that do not currently have sprinkler systems installed
at the time of application. The Electrical Assistance Revolving Fund will operate by making low cost loans to developers or
property owners of older buildings in the Historic District that do not currently have modern electrical systems installed at the
time of application.
B. Financing of revolving fund
Through the normal City budgeting and amendment process, funds are authorized to be allocated to the Assistance Revolving
Funds from the General Fund. Funds may be made available for eligible purposes during any budget year. As loans are repaid
back into the respective funds, those amounts become available for new loans. At no time may the total outstanding balance of
all loans exceed the total amounts made available in the budget process.
C. Interest rate
The interest rate to be charged to the borrower is to be one percent per annum unless otherwise established by resolution of
the City Council.
D. Eligibility
Loans may only be made to developers or owners for the rehabilitation of existing commercial or residential buildings. Further,
loans may only be made where such loans are part of a funding package that will result in the affected building being fully sprinkled
consistent with Chapter 17.20 and/or being fully brought into compliance with electrical requirements in Chapter 17.16. Loans
may not be made for new buildings. Eligible costs that may be funded with the loan proceeds are limited to the installation of
spriklers, including labor and materials, and hook-up to the City water supply for the Sprinkler Assistance Revolving Fund.
E. Loan approval
Applications that are complete and meet all appropriate requirements may be approved by the Director of Finance on a first
come, first served basis. If the loans requested in complete applications in hand exceed the amount available for new loans, the
applications shall be ranked by age of building, location of building, historical significance, and other relevant factors as
determined by the Director of Finance. A loan may be recalled by the Director of Finance if the Chief of the Fire Department
and/or the Director of Planning and Zoning find that any element of the rehabilitation of the building for which a sprinkler or
electrical loan is requested is not in compliance with applicable provisions of the City Code.
F. Loan disbursement
Upon issuance of the building permit by the Department of Planning and Zoning, the Director of Finance may disburse the funds
for the approved loan to the borrower. The borrower must request disbursement of the loan within one year of notification of loan
approval unless the Chief of the Fire Department and/or the Director of Planning and Zoning find that the delay in the borrower's
request for disbursement is not due to factors under the borrower's control.
G. Repayment
Repayment of the loan by the borrower will be made on a monthly basis according to terms and procedures established by the
Director of Finance. A loan period may not exceed five years from the date the funds are disbursed to the borrower. However,
if the property for which the loan is made is sold within the loan period, then the outstanding balance of the loan on the date of
sale must be repaid within thirty days. The amount of the outstanding balance of the loan shall be secured by a lien placed upon
the property and shall be collected and enforced in the same manner as real property taxes.