FAQ List

The Certificate Holder shown on the Certificate of Insurance shall read as follows: 

Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors of Charles County
200 Baltimore Street
La Plata, MD 20646

The minimum amounts of insurance coverage required per occurrence is at least $400,000 and must consist of:

• General Liability Insurance in the amount of at least $300,000 AND
• Property Damage Insurance in the amount of at least $100,000.

An umbrella policy coverage is not acceptable for compliance with this requirement.

The Certificate of Insurance requirements:

• Full name of the Master Electrician
• “Trading As” (if applicable) being insured as part of the policy.

All required information must be listed on the Certificate of Insurance. The policy shall be written through a company approved by the Maryland State Insurance Administration to issue such policies in Maryland. If the Certificate of Insurance does not contain all required information any application or permits will not be processed. The Certificate of Insurance must remain active throughout the entire permit and inspection process.

If an applicant is unable to move forward with their application, it is usually one of the following issues:

1. They have not completed all of their required fields. Please have them check for any required fields that may have been incomplete and have them fill them in.  This is especially common with Public Event permits and the two tables on that application.  
   
   Solution: Have them fill out the required fields that were missed.
   
   
2. They, at some point, have saved the application as a draft.  Sometimes when an application on the CSS has been saved as a draft, the system acts quirky and will not let them move forward. Not moving forward often looks like:
   
   
   
   • Unable to move to the next part of the application.
   • Unable to add a contact
   • Unable to pick an item from a drop down as part of the questions of the application (a.k.a. the additional info questions).
   • Unable to submit.
   
   Solution: At this time the only solution is to have them start over with a completely new application.  Recommend that they move through the new application at one sitting, without saving as a draft if possible.

Once you have troubleshooted these items with the applicant and they are still unable to proceed, please feel free to contact me to help in the troubleshooting process. 

No, only customers at locations where the service line material is still unknown are being asked to complete the survey.

Most park sports fields are available by permitted-use only for organized league play. However, there are a limited number of community fields available for general public drop-in use. Please call the Parks office at 301-932-3470 for more information.

Yes, dogs are allowed in Charles County parks;Â however, they must be on a 6 foot leash and are not permitted within 150 feet of all playing fields, playgrounds and organized activities. There are also two dog parks in the county: one at White Plains Park and one at Turkey Hill Park. Owners must clean up after their pets.

The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) has funds that can assist with the cost of heating or cooling your home. There are financial guidelines to qualify for MEAP; however these are fairly generous and many seniors do qualify for assistance. If you are approved for MEAP, a check will be paid directly to the utility company and the credit will be applied to your account. There are also home weatherization programs that can improve energy efficiency. Persons who are at least 60 years old can apply for MEAP by contacting the Senior I&A office at 301-609-5712. Persons younger than 60 must contact Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Agency at 301-274-4474 or 301-870-3770.

Yes, manufactured homes are permitted in some areas of Charles County, provided they meet certain requirements under the County Zoning Code. In order to be considered a manufactured home, the structure must exceed forty (40) feet in length and eight (8) feet in width, must be constructed in accordance with the standards set forth in the County's Building Code applicable to an onsite-built home, must be composed of one or more components which are assembled in a manufacturing plant, and must be designed to be transported to the home site on its own chassis (wheels).

Manufactured homes are single-family structures and are required to meet the same zoning criteria as single-family structures. Including the requirement that the manufactured home is placed on a continuous permanent masonry foundation, except for the required ventilation and access, in accordance with the Charles County Building Code. Furthermore, the Zoning Ordinance does not allow the placement of more than one single-family structure on a parcel of land.

No. Buildings, historic districts, archaeological sites, cemeteries, etc., listed on the Charles County Landmarks Register, the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties and/or the National Register of Historic Places do not automatically qualify for markers. Each application will be evaluated on its own merits.

No, but service animals are allowed on VanGO vehicles. The customer must advise VanGO what service the animal is trained to provide them.

Yes. The Aging & Community Centers Division serves as the designated Area Agency on Aging for Charles County and provides a wide range of programs and services that promote independence and improve the quality of life for seniors. Our objective is to help seniors and their families to receive the care and services that they need in order to age with dignity in the environment of their choice, whether at home, in a family member's home, or in a supported care environment such as an assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility. To obtain information about available services, please contact the Senior Information & Assistance Program at 301-609-5712, or via email at coler@charlescountymd.gov

Yes, but any baggage, including packages or strollers, may not take up an otherwise available seat. Customers are required to hold all items on their lap or place them under the seat.

Yes, there are size limitations to detached structures such as sheds or garages. Lots less than 3 acres, the size of the structure cannot exceed 50% of the total gross floor area of the home or 1,000 square feet, whichever is greater. If the property is in the PUD zone an approval letter from the Homeowners Association /Plan Design Review Board is required to be provided in the permit file prior to zoning approval.

Only Maryland Licensed Tree Experts should be hired to trim branches and remove trees – they are the only tree care professionals who lawfully can perform this work in Maryland. 

Maryland Department of the Environment News: Marylanders Reminded to Hire Licensed Tree Experts

Here are some common attachment issues and their solutions.

Common Issue	Issue Image	How to Fix	After Fix
CSS user cannot see a dropdown list on the Add Attachment Tile		Make sure the Allow File Upload box is checked and the eReview Project Status is set to Waiting for Files
CSS user has no option to Resubmit, only Add  Attachment		Make sure Allow File Revision Uploads is checked for each file you want the CSS Users to be able to resubmit.  Allow File Revision Uploads is located under File Details once you click on the main file listing (bold).

No. Currently, eligible participants at Senior Centers in Charles County must be at least 60 years old, and residing within Charles County. Exceptions to these requirements include--the spouse of an eligible, registered senior participant may become a member of the center, even if he/she is not yet 60 years old; the disabled adult child of an eligible senior citizen may accompany the senior to the center if doing so is in the best interest of the senior, and enables the senior to continue participating at the site. All exceptions must be approved in advance by the administration. Contact Centers Administrator at 301-934-0117, or email at cookem@charlescounty.org.

Pavilion rentals are available exclusively at Gilbert Run Park. Please call 301-932-1083 for rental information and reservations.

Yes, and it currently works very well at over 300 U.S. golf courses. Typical golf course etiquette is the fundamental element for this success.

Single-family homeowners may perform repairs or replace portable appliances, lighting fixtures, fuses, lamps, sockets, or make minor repairs at existing outlets in the homeowner’s residence. Electrical work beyond this scope, including making changes to wiring, requires the homeowner to obtain a Homeowner Permit from the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors and receive permits and inspections through the Department of Planning and Growth Management’s Division of Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services.

 Homeowners cannot wire swimming pools, piers, detached outbuildings and/or associated electrical work. Work can not be performed on panel boards, main distribution panels, circuit breaker panels, fuse boxes or the like. No service change work shall be done under a Homeowner’s Permit.

Removal of trees and shrubs from the Critical Area require a tree removal authorization prior to the commencement of work. The tree removal authorization requires a plan to replace any trees and shrubs removed  with native plant replacements.

 Yes, you are permitted to have farm animals as pets on property less than 5 acres, provided you meet the following conditions: 

• Large animals such as horses, cattle, pigs, goats & sheep require a minimum of two (2) acres of land with a maximum of one (1) animal per acre.
• Small animals such as chickens and rabbits are permitted, provided they are kept in a humane, secure and sanitary fashion as not to create a nuisance to the public at the following animal to acreage ratios:
  • Less than 2 acres = 2 adult small animals per acre.
  • Greater than 2 acres = 4 adult small animals per acre.

On a property larger than 5 acres, livestock (farm animals) is permitted in all zones provided that areas of animal confinement less than one acre, manure storage or feed storage shall be a minimum distance of 75 feet from any public street or highway and in no case closer than 250 feet from any existing residential dwellings on an adjoining parcel.

Uses such as these are in accordance with Article XIII Minimum Standards for Special Exceptions and Uses Permitted with Conditions, § 297-212 of the County Zoning Regulations.

• Animal Regulations

A limited number of special events may be scheduled on the Indian Head Rail Trail. All events must be permitted through the Parks office in order to avoid conflicts with other trail visitors. For additional information or to schedule an event, please call 301-932-3470.

Yes, you can submit an application to be considered for Local Historic Landmark Designation. Your application will be reviewed by the Charles County Historic Preservation Commission.

Historic Landmark Designation Information

Yes, according to Article II, Chapter §297-29 (B) 13 of the Charles County Zoning Code, which allows the parking of one (1) inoperable or untagged motor vehicle and/or vehicle part(s) on a residential property provided that the motor vehicle and/or vehicle part(s) are stored within a completely enclosed building or are parked or stored in accordance with all the following conditions:

A maximum of one (1) untagged or inoperable motor vehicle, in accordance with the criteria below, may be parked or stored on any lot:

• Any untagged motor vehicle shall remain in running condition and shall not be deemed inoperable. "Inoperable" shall be defined as a motor vehicle with any major part, equipment, or component which is necessary for the vehicle's operation removed from the vehicle and not replaced for a period of at least 15 days.
• Any untagged or inoperable motor vehicle shall be parked or stored on a hard-surfaced area constructed of material that will assure a surface resistant to erosion and adequately treated to prevent dust emission. Acceptable hard surfaces shall include, but are not limited to, concrete, asphalt, blue stone, and gravel.
• Any untagged or inoperable motor vehicle shall be covered by a manufactured vehicle cover, except during active maintenance.
• No untagged or inoperable motor vehicle may be parked or stored within six feet of the property line unless on a legally established driveway. At no time shall such motor vehicle be parked or stored on any public roadway, common or public parking area, assigned or unassigned.

This provision shall not apply to vehicles used in bona fide agricultural operations stored on site.

All applications must be submitted electronically through the Citizens Self Service Portal. Kiosks are available in the Permits lobby for customers to use. We have staff available to assist with registering for accounts, submitting applications, and scanning in documents. Exceptions for paper documents will be made for permits applied for before October 22, 2018 and Commercial Building Permits.

Yes. Your personal care assistant may travel with you free of charge.

• Normal Operations: Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except holidays. Masks are required to enter the building.

• Planning and Growth Management (Effective April 5, 2021): 
  Monday, Wednesday, & Friday- By Appointment Only and Tuesday & Thursday- Walk-In or By Appointment

Last updated: March 25, 2021

Increase the County’s commercial tax base to balance revenues with services to residents.

No. Only galvanized service lines that are currently or were previously downstream of a lead service line will need to be replaced.

Not necessarily. All lead service lines can potentially leach lead into drinking water, but Charles County carefully manages the water chemistry in the distribution system to help prevent this. Lead gets into drinking water through leaching from lead-containing pipe, faucets, and solder sometimes found in the plumbing of older buildings.

Yes. White Plains Park and Southern Park have tennis courts that are available to residents seven days a week from dawn to dusk, weather permitting.

No. Inspection crews will not need to enter your home unless smoke is present and you want them to help identify the defect. You are not required to allow entry to our crews.

In most instances a permit is not required for a fence, provided the fence will be less than seven (7) feet in height above the finished grade (subject to zoning conditions below).  Properties located withing the Critical Area will require a Zoning Permit for fences less than seven (7) feet in height.

A fence that is greater than seven (7) feet in height above the finished grade, a building permit is required to comply with the County Building Code. 

Fence Zoning Conditions – Article II, Chapter §297‐27 B

1. Front yards - For single‐family detached units, walls and fences shall not exceed four feet in height above ground elevation. Where fences and walls are an integral part of the unit design and are applied in a consistent and coordinated pattern throughout the project, fences and walls may be constructed to a maximum of six feet above ground elevation.
2. Rear and side yards - Walls and fences shall not exceed eight feet in height above ground elevation. Tennis court fences shall not exceed 12 feet.
3. Security fences for business, industrial or institutional uses shall not exceed 10 feet in height above the elevation of the surface of the ground unless otherwise necessary to comply with screening requirements. Fencing design / materials / color must abide by community HOA requirements. If the property is zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD) or “St. Charles”, an approval letter from the HOA/ Planning Design Review Board (PDRB) is required to be provided in the permit file prior to zoning approval.

Yes, you would have to apply for a home occupation permit, which is subject to the following conditions of Article II, Chapter 297-29 (B) (18) of the County Zoning Code as follows:

1. All activities associated with a home business shall be conducted entirely within the residence approved for the home business use.
2. Business activities, including but not limited to the vehicular traffic, shall neither change the residential character of the home nor the character of the residential subdivision.
3. A home business shall not exceed 200 square feet within a residence. In the AC, RC, and WCD zones, a home occupation shall not exceed 500 square feet within a residence.
4. All materials, equipment, supplies, and inventory associated with the home occupation shall be stored within the residence.
5. A home business shall not involve the production or improper disposal of any hazardous, toxic, or carcinogenic materials or waste.
6. Any parking required is to be limited to off-street gravel or paved parking, on the permit holder's property.
7. Employees are limited to members of the immediate family who reside in the home.
8. Delivery of inventory or materials is permitted only by the postal service, a private delivery service such as UPS or by the occupant.
9. The home business shall not operate between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Business activities shall not be conducted on Sundays or federal holidays.

The types of businesses considered suitable as home occupations include but are not limited to:

1. Tailoring or dressmaking.
2. Catalog or mail-order sales.
3. Typing or word processing services.
4. Answering services.
5. Bookkeeping or accounting services.
6. Office space for off-site service businesses.
7. Wood crafting or other home crafts.
8. Personal services provided that if state license is required said licensure shall be maintained.

The types of businesses considered unsuitable as home occupations include but are not limited to:

1. Automobile sales, repair, dismantling, storage or body shops.
2. Engine or machine repair.
3. Lawn equipment repair.
4. Funeral homes.
5. Medical or dental offices.
6. Dance studios.
7. Restaurants.

In most cases, no permit is necessary to remove tree from your property, unless the property is located within the critical area overlay zone, then a permit is required. In addition, trees located within a forest conservation easement may only be removed if they are a hazard to life or property. 

Please visit https://www.charlescountymd.gov/government/planning-and-growth-management/online-permitting.

FootGolf is played with a soccer ball (regulation FIFA soccer ball #5 or #4). It is preferred that FootGolfers bring their own ball, but the White Plains Clubhouse has rental balls available.

If you applied through your Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal the permit will be sent to you electronically.

To print your permit log into your CSS Portal. Then click on the orange “Active” bubble and find your permit number. Then click on the blue hyperlink that displays the permit number you want to print. In the upper right-hand corner of the screen, click on the blue printer icon to print the permit.

In “Files for Review” you will find your drawings with the Plan Reviewers stamp and your site plans (if applicable).

In “Supporting Document” you will any other documentation submitted for your permit.

The map change does not require that you do anything right now; however, if you apply for a building permit in the future, you will be subject to the State-mandated Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area law for the portion of your property that will be in the Critical Area.  We encourage you to look at the maps online so that you know where the Critical Area boundary will be on your property using the online mapping tool.

Applications to develop a property, to include Preliminary Plans, Final Plats, and Site Development Plans are subject to archaeology requirements. If staff determines there is a potential for a significant cultural resource on the subject property, then the applicant will be required to conduct a Phase 1 – Archaeology Assessment.

More detailed information can be found in the code sections for Subdivision Regulation and Historic Preservation Commission from the Zoning Code.

No. A primary purpose of the revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule is simply to identify the material of all water service lines to enhance customer awareness. Identifying out-of-date materials, including lead, is the first step toward eliminating them from the distribution system.

Tee time reservations are preferred (especially on weekends), but walk-up play is certainly acceptable. When calling-in for a tee time (301-645-1300), be sure to mention that the reservation is for FootGolf play.

Either way, but it is actually quicker to walk because unlike regular golf, you are not hitting the ball hundreds of yards. However, use of rental carts is allowed and carts are available at the clubhouse (operators must have a valid driver's license).

Yes. We have two locations that have Night Depository Boxes for after hour payments. Payments can be dropped off at the Government Building in LaPlata by the Atrium Entrance or at the Payment Center in the Sheriff's Office located at 3670 Leonardtown Rd. in Waldorf. (The Sheriff's Office is near the corner of Leonardtown Rd. (Rte. 5) and Vivian Adams Drive, next to Midas. The Night Depository Box is located at the alcove of the building.)

Payments can also be accepted online or by phone with our third-party server. Online payments are accepted here. Phone payments are accepted at 866-477-8742. If you are due for disconnect or are already disconnected, please contact the Billing Office at 301-645-0624 or 301-870-2542 for verification of payment. If you make payment after 3:00 p.m. your water service will be restored no later than 3:00 p.m. the following business day.

Yes, Online payments are accepted here.  You will need your full account number for this process. Please allow three business days for payment to be posted to your account. If your water is disconnected, please contact our office after making payment. Any payment not made prior to 3pm will result in water connection the following business day. The Water/Sewer Billing Office is not alerted for payments made online or by phone. Water may not be turned back on if you do not notify the Billing Office of the payment. To better assist you please have your verification information (Confirmation) when contacting the Billing Office at 301-645-0624, select option 2.

Yes. The Division of Aging and Community Centers maintains a list of licensed Home Health Agencies, licensed Assisted Living Facilities, as well as a Respite Care Registry which is a list of independent contractors who provide respite, in-home personal care and homemaker services. There is also a Hiring Guide available that provides tips on how to select and hire an in-home worker. For more information contact the Long Term Care unit within the Division at 301-934-0128 or via email at olmstedc@charlescounty.org.

Yes, we do provide this service. E-billing is a quick and green way to receive your water sewer invoices directly to your computer or smartphone. Once you agree to have your bill sent by email all we need to do is put the email address you choose on your water and sewer account. When your next billing cycle is sent to be printed you will receive your bill in email format. You will not receive a hard copy of the bill sent by mail. Everything else remains the same as before.

To sign up for E-Billing please go online and under Residents, located in the middle of the web page to the left (not on the toolbar), select Water & Sewer Billing to get to our web page. Select the icon on our web page or to the right of the page select E-Billing Sign Up under Related Links.

Late notices will still be printed and mailed if payment is not received by the due date indicated on the bill. If you are a tenant, we will need to have on record a signed renter's form from the landlord allowing us to mail or email bills to you. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

No. Driver assignments change regularly and drivers are normally assigned to more than one route. Therefore, bus assignments are not maintained.

Yes, a contractor performing commercial construction work in Charles County must hold a Maryland State Contractors License or a Maryland State Home Improvement License. Owners have the option to serve as their own general contractor and assume full liability for the project including meeting all Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). 

Maryland State law requires that any person engaged in the home improvement business shall have a valid license issued by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. This does not, however, mean that homeowners are required to hire a licensed contractor for their project. Homeowners have the option to assume full liability for any project at their discretion.

Yes, the golf course at White Plains Park is available to the public. Please call 301-645-1300 for fees, tee times, and additional park information.

Charles County parks do not offer horseback rentals, but residents can ride their own horses at Oak Ridge Park and Maxwell Hall Park. Maxwell Hall Park is members only. For additional information, please call the Parks office at 301-932-3470.

Many people are making the decision to disconnect their home phone and use their cell phone as their home telephone. If you decide to use only a cell phone, keep these important tips in mind: When 911 is dialed from a land line phone from a home or business the caller's location and phone number is sent to the 911 center serving the perspective area, which allows the 911 call taker to dispatch police, fire, or ambulance to the caller's location, even if the caller cannot communicate with the 911 call taker.

When a wireless 911 call is made the call is transmitted to the nearest cell tower, which may be out of the jurisdiction in which the call was made. When this happens the 911 call taker will ask you for basic information and transfer you to the correct 911 center. This MAY present life-threatening problems due to the lost response time if the caller is unable to communicate where they are or where the emergency is located.

No. Medicare generally does not pay for long term care services such as assisted living or nursing home or ongoing in-home care. Under certain circumstances, Medicare may assist with the cost of short-term home health services or short-term "rehabilitation" in a skilled nursing facility following discharge from a hospital, but Medicare does not offer long term care benefit. Medicaid, which is the state Medical Assistance program, does have a long term care benefit for those who qualify. Medicaid eligibility is based on both financial and medical criteria and is determined by the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The County does not currently require businesses to be pre-qualified to conduct business with the County.

We do not have exercise equipment or weights at any of our gymnasium facilities; our gymnasiums are only available for sports programs. However, the Nanjemoy Community Center, located on Rt. 6 West, does have a fitness center with exercise equipment.

Please submit your application with the understanding that staff and the Charles County Historic Preservation Commission may edit your proposed marker text in consultation with you.

No.The County purchases for neither organization.You should contact these agencies directly for additional information concerning their procurement.

The County has a Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) Program. The purpose of the Program is to support the growth and economic vitality of Charles County small businesses by assisting their success when participating in County contracts and other procurement. Visit the Economic Development Department webpage  for more information.

No.

VanGO primarily stays in Charles County but does link up with the St.Mary's Transit System in Charlotte Hall. This connection is the only out-of-county travel for the public routes.

VanGO Medical Assistance Transportation travels out of the county but this service is only for qualified Medical Asssistance recipients.

Other VanGO specialized services, such as Demand Response, provide travel within Charles County only.

Yes. All VanGO vehicles are wheelchair accessible.

Yes, employees may ride in a County vehicle together as long as they are wearing a mask and following all CDC guidelines.

If you are having EnerGov errors/issues, do the following:

1. If teleworking - check your VPN connection to make sure you are connected.  If that is connected, try logging out of EnerGov and logging back in.  If you are still having issues, reboot your laptop.  If that doesn't work, send Sarah a message (including what the issue is and that you are contacting the help desk) and contact the IT Help Desk.
   
   
2. Reboot your laptop (especially if you haven't rebooted recently) and then try again.  If you still receive an error message - send Sarah a message (including what the issue is and that you are contacting the help desk) and contact the IT Help Desk.

IT Help Desk:  Visit IT on the ICG to see how to contact the help desk.

Please email the Water/Sewer Billing Office at wsbilling@charlescountymd.gov. Someone will respond to your email within 24 business hours.

Copies of birth certificates can be obtained at the Charles County Department of Health  located at 4545 Crain Hwy, P. O. Box 1050, White Plains, MD 20695. For more information, call 301-609-6900.

Please contact the Licensing Office at 301-870-2514.

Please visit https://www.charlescountymd.gov/government/charles-county-commissioners/request-a-meeting-with-a-commissioner to submit your request.

This information can be obtained by visiting our website and viewing the Economic Development section.

The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) can help you with questions that you may have regarding Medicare, Medicaid, or Long Term Care insurance. Trained health insurance counselors provide free consultations and assistance to seniors. A SHIP counselor can help you to apply for benefits such as prescription drug plans, subsidies that help to pay for Medicare premiums and copayments, selection of supplementary health insurance, or reviewing your medical bills to assure that there are no fraudulent charges or mistakes on the bill. If you need information about Medicare, Medicaid, or other insurance options, call the Senior Health Insurance Program at 301-934-0118, or masont@charlescounty.org.

Contact the Charles County Department of Health  located at 4545 Crain Hwy, P. O. Box 1050, White Plains, MD 20695. For more information, call 301-609-6900.

Charles County does not have money to assist with the starting a business, but the SBDC (Maryland Small Business Development Center) located at the College of Southern Maryland, La Plata campus, can provide help with writing a business plan, marketing plan, and applying for loans. Call 301-934-7583 or visit our website for more information.

Visit their website, click on the Visit Tourism tab, click on the Events tab, click on Add an Event link. Complete the on-line application for approval. Contact Catherine Carroll for Tourism Events Criteria by e-mail or call 301-259-2500.

Schedules can be downloaded from this website or you can call the Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, Transit Division, at 301-645-0642 for schedules. Schedules are also available at local libraries, senior centers, and Community Centers.

Refer to the County’s Online Bid Board available on the County’s website located at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov. Click on “Business”, and then “Online Bid Board”.

Send overnight payments or any payment requiring hand delivery to:

Charles County Government 200 Baltimore St. Room A148 La Plata, MD 20646.

Please contact the Clerk to the Commissioners by phone at (301) 645-0554 or e-mail the Clerk to the Commissioners at desotoc@charlescountymd.gov.

Each department should assign one representative to request and pick up supplies for the entire department related to the prevention of COVID-19. Requests should be made using the Inventory Supply Request Form. Please note that supplies are limited and there may not be enough in stock to fulfill all requests, and requests may be substituted with generic products.

If your animal is in violation of any of the Charles County Animal Regulations or the Annotated Code of Maryland, it can be immediately and humanely impounded and housed at the animal shelter or its designated agent. In addition to or in lieu of impounding your animal, an Animal Control Officer may issue you a notice of violation. If your animal is impounded, it will be kept for no less than three working days unless the animal is contagiously ill or severely injured. When you reclaim your animal, you will have to pay fees established by the Sheltering Authority. You also will have to show proof of ownership, including a current rabies vaccination and County license. If your animal is impounded three times within a twelve-month period, it shall remain in the Shelter until you appear before the Animal Matters Hearing Board's next scheduled hearing. The Board will determine the necessary means to resolve the violations and levy any applicable fines and fees.

• Animal Regulations

Appeals can be assessed at the Local State Department of Assessment and Taxation.  Please contact them at (301) 932-2440 for the appeals process.

All open positions are listed on the Charles County Government web site employment opportunities. You must submit an online application to be considered for a position. If the a position you are interested in is not open, you can complete a Job Interest Card which allows you to be notified when an opportunity in your field of interest is advertised.

Charles County Government does not handle personnel matters for the Court House or the Sheriff's Office; these entities have their own personnel departments. For information about employment at the Court House, you may contact (301) 932-3224 or visit www.maryland.gov . For information about employment with the Charles County Sheriff's Office, you may contact (301) 609-6400 or visit www.ccso.us

 Changing the existing zoning of a property requires the filing of a local map amendment with he Department of Planning and Growth Management in accordance with Article XXVII Amendments, §297-448 of the County Zoning Regulations,

An application for Charles County Historic Landmark Designation must be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission. Application packets are available online or in the Planning Division at 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646.

Once an application is received, the Historic Preservation Commission will review it at one of their regular public meetings. The Historic Preservation Commission will make a recommendation for designation as a site, structure, or district of historic, archeological, or architectural significance. The recommendation shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review and forwarded to the County Commissioners for approval or disapproval.

Building setbacks for individual properties can vary depending on the specific zone as designated by the Zoning Maps for Charles County, Maryland. Once you know the correct zoning of your property you need to review the Charles County Zoning Code for either the Schedule of Zone Regulations for Base Zones or Planned Development Zones.

Building setbacks are also referred to as “Minimum Yard Requirements”. The minimum yard requirements are designated for the primary use, such as a house on a residential lot. 

Setbacks for accessory structures, such as sheds or decks can be no closer than six feet to any side or rear property lines. However, swimming pools are the exception for accessory structures, requiring a minimum of ten feet from the edge of the swimming pool to a side or rear property line.

Zoning for individual properties is established by a set of Zoning Maps that are adopted by the Charles County Commissioners that implement the latest version of the Charles County Comprehensive Plan. You can determine the zoning of your property by accessing the Zoning Maps or by using the GIS Interactive Map.

Information related to specific base zones may be viewed in the County Zoning Regulations.

Instructions for identifying your service line material can be found under the Service Line Assurance Initiative Resources section of the Service Line Assurance Initiative webpage once the survey has been launched.

Residential household hazardous waste collection is held on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Department of Public Works, located at 10430 Audie Lane in La Plata (off of Radio Station Road). Items accepted free of charge include pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer, gasoline, oil-based paint*, cleaning supplies, fluorescent lights, pool chemicals, and other poisons that are around your house. Ammunition, prescription drugs** and bio-medical wastes are not accepted. Commercial hazardous waste is strictly prohibited.

* Latex paint is not considered hazardous waste and can go in the landfill as long as it is solidified. This can be accomplished by removing the lid and air drying and/or adding materials such as kitty litter, saw dust, or shredded paper.

** Prescription drugs can be dropped off at one of the Charles County Sheriff's Stations for safe disposal.

Visit HHW for more information.

Once your Pre-Submittal conference has been held, staff will open up the appropriate application as a sub-record to your Pre-Submittal Request on the Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal for you to apply.

The following plan types require paper application at this time:

• Conceptual Subdivision Plans
• Planned Development Zone
• Zoning Map Amendment
• Zoning Text Amendment

No paper applications for these plan types will be accepted if a Pre-Submittal Conference has not been held. 

Once your application has been received staff will have seven (7) days to conduct a completeness review to check the project against the regulatory requirements for that particular type of submittal. If all requirements are met the application will be accepted and an invoice will be created. The invoice must be paid before the project will be distributed for official review.

A list of Charles County businesses that have requested to be posted on our website can be found at website. If you would like your business posted please call 301-885-1340.

This information may be viewed online by visiting our website or by calling the Office of Tourism at 301-259-2500.

Vendors are recommended to view our bid board at least weekly to monitor any bid opportunities. Refer to the Vendor’s Guide to Doing Business with Charles County at https://www.charlescountymd.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=2372.

This information may be found online by visiting our website or by calling the Office of Tourism at 301-259-2500.

Please call the Health Department at 301-609-6900.

Please contact the Licensing Office at 301-870-2514.

By authority of the Board of County Commissioners, responsibility for management of the non-profit grants award program rests with the Charles County Charitable Trust.

To get a personalized schedule, contact the Transportation Division at 301-934-0110. You may also email your request: webmail@charlescounty.org.

Call 301-885-1340 or LauerE@charlescounty.org to discuss various properties available within the county.

Call 301-885-1340 or LauerE@charlescounty.org to discuss various properties available within the county.

The Non-Emergency number for the Sheriff's Office is 301-932-2222.

Please contact the Board of Education at 301-932-6610.

Please contact the Clerk to the Commissioners by phone at (301) 645-0554 or:

• Submit and Online Request for Appointment on Commissioner Agenda

Please contact Regency Furniture Stadium 301-638-9788.

VanGO public routes are established to serve as many populated areas as possible but does not cover all areas of Charles County. Citizens requesting VanGO service to new areas may do so by writing a letter or e-mail to the Charles County Department of Community Services Transportation Division letting us know where you feel service is needed. Customers may also call us direct to request a new service area at 301-934-0110. Requests received will be evaluated and maintained for consideration, but expansion will only occur in accordance with the five year TDP and as additional funding becomes available.

You can review the plat of subdivision for your property, which should reference the forest conservation plan number and/or show where forest conservation easements are located. 

 You can verify if your property is affected by a forest conservation easement by accessing the  GIS Interactive Map and complete the following steps:

1. Enter your property address in the search box located in the upper right hand corner and press enter. A search result should appear on the map in the approximate location of the subject property.
2. Now select the “Layer List” icon , which will open a drop down menu for different layers of the map.
3. From the drop down menu select the “Forest Conservation Easements” box from the layer list, which will turn on the forest conservation layer on the map. If a forest conservation easement is located on or near your property, the easement area will appear.

You can verify if your property is located in the critical area by accessing the GIS Interactive Map and completing the following steps:

1. Enter your property address in the search box located in the upper right-hand corner and press enter. A search result should appear on the map in the approximate location of the subject property.
2. Now select the “Layer List” icon , which will open a drop down menu for different layers of the map.
3. From the drop down menu select the “Critical Area Boundary” box from the layer list, which will turn on the critical are boundary on the map along the waterfront areas in the County.If your property is located between the waterfront and that boundary, then your property is subject to the critical area requirements.

 Critical Area Maps

Charles County is developing a geospatial map that customers can access from the Service Line Assurance Initiative webpage once the self-reporting survey has been launched. The map will allow customers to look up their address and check the material of their service line. If it is listed as unknown, they will be prompted to take the survey.

You have to comply with the County Forest Conservation requirements when you begin a development activity, such as: subdividing land, applying for a site development plan, grading/clearing of land greater than 20,000 square feet in area.  If this will be occurring an applicant would be required to prepare and submit a Forest Stand Delineation and Forest Conservation Plan prepared by a MD Licensed Professional.

Most small residential projects, such as a deck, patio or shed, usually does not disturb 20,000 square feet and only requires the submittal of a Single Lot Exemption – Declaration of Intent to comply with the County Forest Conservation Code.

Homeowners must first apply and pay the application and examination fee for the Homeowner’s Permit. The application will be reviewed at the next Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors Meeting. After the Board review, the Board Secretary will contact the applicant and provide notification of their application status. If accepted, the Board Secretary will schedule the homeowner for the Homeowner’s Electrical Permit examination. To pass the examination, a minimum score of 70% must be achieved. Homeowner’s Electrical Permits are valid for one (1) year after issuance. 

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) issues permits for activities within Maryland’s tidal waters, including, but not limited to, piers, boat lifts, osprey poles, mooring piles, etc. Please call the Tidal Wetlands Division of MDE for more information at 410‐537‐3837.

Once the permit has been obtained from MDE, the landowner must submit a copy of this approval to the County along with an application for a Zoning Permit prior to the commencement of any work on the pier or water dependent structure.

Patient Request

To request your medical records, complete the Release of Protected Health Information form (this form is only to be filled out if you’re the patient). Once you completed the form, you can send it to us by the following methods:

• Mail or Drop it off to (Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.):
  
  • Charles County Emergency Medical Services
    10425 Audie Lane
    La Plata, Maryland 20646
• Fax the completed form to 301-392-3796.
• Email the completed form to emsmedicalrecords@charlescountymd.gov.

Lawyer Request

To request medical records, we would need a cover letter indicating patient name, date of incident and date of birth along with a medical release authorization form completed by the patient or a Subpoena.

Third Party Request

This is for all request that meets one of the following criteria:

• A parent if the patient is under 18 years of age
• Legal Guardian (must provide proof of guardianship)
• Power of Attorney (the power of attorney documentation must be attached)
• Representative of an estate of deceased patient. (must provide proof of representation and death certificate)

Complete the HIPAA Authorization for the Release of Patient Information form and submit the completed form via one of the above methods.

Credit Card and Debit Payments

Charles County Government Building- 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata
Government Satellite Center- 3670 Leonardtown Roard, Waldorf

Please call 301-539-7330.

To register your alarm business, please submit an alarm business application, which can be obtained by calling 301-609-3404 or online, a $100 annual fee, a copy of your Charles County low voltage license, if applicable, and a copy of your current State of Maryland Security Agency License to Charles County Government, Department of Emergency Services/FARU, P.O. Box 2150, La Plata, MD 20646. Proprietary alarm businesses and alarm businesses dealing ONLY with fire or medical alarms do not need the State of Maryland License.

Purchasing does not maintain a vendor list

Please submit an online Request for Recognition.

To schedule your Pre-Submittal Conference please apply for a Pre-Submittal Request through the Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal. In order to submit a request you will need to register for an account in the CSS. Directions on how to register with CSS. If you already have an account, you will need to log-in to submit your request. Once your request has been received a member of our staff will be in touch to confirm your conference date.

Pre-Submittal Conferences are held in 30-minute increments on Wednesday mornings. Conference dates must be scheduled at least one week in advance and are assigned on a first come first served basis.

There are eligibility criteria for the Meals on Wheels program, which are outlined in the Older Americans Act as well as the State Nutrition Policy. Eligible persons must reside in Charles County, be at least 60, and homebound (no longer driving and not able to use regular public transportation). Appropriate participants are generally homebound seniors who, because of chronic illness or incapacitation, are no longer able to prepare meals safely for themselves. Meals are delivered once per day, five days per week by volunteer drivers and are intended for consumption during the luncheon hour. Participants will still need to have some store-bought groceries and assistance with additional meals in order to meet their nutritional needs and for weekends and designated holidays when deliveries are not made. For more information, or to sign up for Meals on Wheels, contact the Nutritionist at 301-934-0138 or via email at furlow@charlescounty.org.

Subdivision of property in Charles County is subject Chapter 278 of the Charles County Code - Subdivision Regulations. Subdivisions are classified as either "minor", involving the creation of five (5) lots or less, or "major", involving the creation of more than five (5) lots.                                                                                                                                                                   

Major subdivisions require the submittal of a preliminary plan, while minor subdivisions may go through an abbreviated process. The preparation of these documents can only be prepared by a Maryland licensed professional surveyor. 

The Health Department still requires paper documents. You will need to take paper copies of drawings/site plans to the Health Department for their approval. Once they have approved the plans, scan and upload the approved documents to “Supporting Docs” on your Citizen Self Service Portal for review.

To volunteer for the Adopt-A-Road program, please call Environmental Resources at 301-932-3599 or visit Adopt-A-Road.

A Pre-Submittal Conference allows you, the applicant, the opportunity to present your project to representatives of the County’s Department of Planning and Growth Management to explore project viability and discuss major code and ordinance requirements, fees, and review time frames. During the conference, staff will assist with defining project requirements, highlight any special concerns or considerations, and provide guidance for including the minimum required information for application submittal. These conferences are considered advisory and are not a review meeting or intended to discuss every detail associated with the development process. Minutes of the conference will not be taken. It is simply a tool to exchange information between County staff and the applicant to gain an understanding of the next steps of the process, be made aware of major issues, and understand which codes and ordinances apply to the project.

Our goal is to help you keep your project moving forward as efficiently as possible with-in the limits of our authority. Our charge is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community. As a result, the codes, ordinances, and regulations define and limit our authority. We are not responsible for identifying any issues that are omitted from your proposal or for suggesting design approaches or alternatives to achieve compliance. You and your design team are ultimately responsible for compliance with all code, ordinance, and regulation requirements.

Lead is seldom found as a natural contaminant in drinking water and generally originates from lead-based plumbing materials. Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials containing lead corrode over time. These materials include pipes made of lead, lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, and brass and chrome-plated brass faucets. Lead service lines are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. In Maryland, these materials are more likely to be found in homes built before 1973.

During smoke testing, field crews blow air and smoke into the sanitary sewer system in the street and monitor where smoke escapes the system. The smoke, under pressure, will fill the main line as well as any connections and then follow a path of any leak to the ground surface, quickly revealing the source of the problem. Only enough force to overcome atmospheric pressure is required, and smoke should escape from building roof vents.

After each decennial census, the lines for the districts must be reviewed. The goal is for the districts to be reasonably equal in population, with a small margin of difference tolerated under the law (no more than ±5%). After the 2020 census, the total population of Charles County was determined to be 166,836, making the ideal population for each district to be 41,709. The districts each had a total population of:

• District 1: 37,537, which is 10.0% less than the ideal
• District 2: 42,408, which is 1.7% more than the ideal
• District 3: 44,941, which is 7.7% more than the ideal
• District 4: 41,950, which is 0.6% more than the ideal

The goal of the Redistricting Board is to bring all of the percentages to 5% or less, while respecting demographics and geographical lines, as well as election district lines.

For primary structures on a property, the Zoning Ordinance establishes setback, or building restriction lines, for the front, rear and sides of your property according to the zone in which your property is located. When building a primary structure on a lot, you must remain within these required distances from your property line.

Additionally, the Zoning Ordinance specifies different setback requirements for accessory structures such as sheds, barns, detached garages, etc. These structures shall be established within 6' of any side or rear lot line. No accessory use or structure shall be established within the required front yard.

You have 30 days to pay your bill. At that time, a penalty will be added. You will have an additional 10 days from the due date before the account is shut off. A penalty notice is sent to you on the day after your due date indicating the scheduled shut off date. They are sent general mail. It is your responsibility to ensure payment is posted to your account on time. If you do not receive your bill or penalty notice, please contact the billing office. We are not responsible for mail not received by the post office.

The HVC Waiting List is approximately five years long. To find out what application date is currently being processed, call the Department of Community Services at 301-934-9305, ext. 5188, for updated information.

The replacement of a water service should typically be done in one day. Type “K” copper tubing will be used for any new water services being installed.

While crews might be in your area for a few hours, each actual smoke test setup takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Most houses will only be within the testing area for one or two tests.

The Charles County Zoning Ordinance established various residential zones for the County. The amount of acreage required to build a house depends on the zoning of your property. Our Zoning Maps will help you determine the zoning of your property.

Since plumbing fixtures in your home or business are connected to the sanitary sewer system, there is the potential for the smoke to enter if the drains are not connected properly. This happens particularly under the following circumstances:

• The vents connected to your building's sewer pipes are inadequate, defective or improperly installed.
• The traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers and other drains are dry, defective or improperly installed.
• The pipes, connections or seals in the wastewater drain system in and/or under your building are damaged, defective, have plugs missing or improperly installed.

For FY2026 the Enterprise Fund budget is $110,605,100. Additional budget information.

In Fiscal Year 2023 (as of March 31, 2023), the County has been awarded $24,210,954 in Federal funding and $3,434,790 in State funding. More information.

For FY2019, the County received $136,665,163. FY2021 adopted a budget of $140,000,000. See the General Fund Revenue/Financing Resources.

Each participant's household size and income varies and is used in determining how much each family will pay for their portion of the monthly rent. Therefore, voucher amounts vary from family to family. However, once the Housing Authority approves the rent amount requested by a landlord on behalf of the participant, the participant will be advised what their monthly rental portion will be.

For FY2026, the Capital Budget is $142,901,100. Capital Improvement Program.

The Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund budget is $595,081,500.  Additional Budget Information. 

For FY2026 a single family detached home the tax is $21,972 paid over 10 years with interest. The current interest rate is 2.68%.

The time it takes for an application to reach the top of the Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List is usually 3-5 years. To find out what applications the Housing Authority are currently processing, persons can call the Department of Community Services main number at 301-934-9305, extension 5112, for the updated Housing Choice Voucher hotline information.

For Fiscal Year 2026, the amount of County budget funds for public safety is $171,190,721. Additional budget information.

For Fiscal Year 2026, the amount of County budget funds that go to the Board of Education is $242,644,900 with the County paying directly an additional $2,658,500 to support the teacher retirement cost shift from the State.  Additional Budget Information.

For Fiscal Year 2024, the County received $267,881,789. For Fiscal Year 2026, the County budgeted $305,179,100 in property tax revenue.  Additional Budget Information. 

Program rents are competitive with the private rental market. In determining whether to approve requested rents, the Housing Authority considers whether the amount is reasonable and comparable to rents for similar units. Household size and composition are also taken into consideration when determining approved rent amounts for families. However, in general, HUD rents are designed to be competitive with the private rental market.

White Plains FootGolf Course offer 18-holes that are designed within the first nine holes of our regular golf course. Players can play the entire 18-holes in approximately 2 hours.

Master Restricted Licenses are set to expire every two years on June 30. Licenses are renewable for up to two years upon completion of the renewal application and payment of applicable fees. Homeowner’s permits are valid for one (1) year from date of issuance.

If a license expires because of failure to renew, the license may be restored upon payment of the renewal fee plus a restoration fee. Restricted Master licenses may be restored within a 90-day period after expiration. If an expired license is not renewed within the restoration period, a renewal will not be issued. The individual holding the expired license may reinstate a license only upon compliance with the requirements for issuance of a license to a new applicant and restoration fees of missed terms of renewal.

For Fiscal Rate Period between 7/01/2025 and 6/30/2026

There are three rates for water and one for sewer in the tiered rate system for residential customers. Below is an example bill breakdown. You will need to add the account fee, $11.60, and the Bay Fee, $15.00 per quarter or $5.00 a month. Rates are subject to change every July for the new Fiscal Year.

Water
0 to 18,000 gals/qtr = $6.05
18,001 - 24,000 gals/qtr = $12.10
24,001 and above =$18.15

Sewer
24,000 and below = $13.69

Any usage 1 to 18,000 gallons, the water rate is $6.05 per thousand gallons. Usage from 18,001 gallons to 24,000 the water rate is $12.10 per thousand gallons consumption. 
Usage over 24,001 gallons per quarter will be billed at $18.15 per thousand gallons.

The sewer will only be charged $13.69 per thousand gallons up to the usage amount of 24,000 gallons. Any additional usage will not be charged a sewer fee.

As an example - If 50,000 gallons were used this quarter the breakdown would be:

18/thou x $6.05 = $108.90
6/thou (24 - 18) x $12.10 = $72.60
26/thou (50 - 24) x $18.15 = $471.90
Total Water Charge ($108.90 + $72.60 + $471.90) = $653.40
Total Sewer = 24/thou x 13.69 = $328.56

Total water/sewer bill for this example equals $981.96 ($653.40 for water + $328.56 for sewer)+($11.60 for account fee + $15.00 for bay fee).

If it appears in your hot water, try flushing your water heater. If it is also in the cold water, contact the Utilities Department at 301-609-7400 and ask to speak to a water supervisor.

If experiencing low water pressure in one faucet or in one location, check the screen in the water spigot to make sure it is clean. Make sure all your valves are open (located in laundry room, outside storage, or closets). If the valves are open and you still have low water pressure contact the Utilities Department at 301-609-7400 to schedule an appointment Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. excluding 12:00 p.m.

Employees receive the following benefits: health insurance, with the County paying 70% of the cost; dental and vision insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and dependent care; Long Term Disability Insurance at no cost to the employee; life insurance at no cost to the employee, with supplemental and dependent life insurance available for additional cost; retirement savings programs; annual leave, sick leave, and one day of personal leave per calendar year; 14 paid holidays; Onsite Childcare at a discounted rate; an Employee Assistance Program; and House Keys for Employees Program.

To have a water & sewer account put into or out of your name a final reading request must be submitted. To request a final reading please visit our website and under Services, located on the left of the web page (not on the toolbar), select Water & Sewer Billing to get to our web page. To the left of the page select Water/Sewer Billing Forms. Next please select Final Reading Request. Final Reading requests can only be requested by the owner/agent or Title Company. Tenants cannot request a final reading. If you are a tenant, please contact your landlord or property manager to submit a Final Reading Request. A $25.00 processing fee will be charged to complete each request.

We have added a new feature to e-mail the final water/sewer bill should you prefer this option. Please also provide a mailing address as a back-up, if needed, and for further correspondence, if required.

Please request final readings at least two business days before you need the bill amount. Water and Sewer readings will be done the next business day if the form is received before 2:00 p.m. Any requests received after 2:00 p.m. may not be done until two business days. The invoice will be processed the business day after the reading.

Please understand that we do not shut off water at the time we do a final reading to take it out of your name. The account will transfer to the new owner or tenant's name instead. If you are moving out and the property will be vacant, such as Foreclosure Status, please submit a Water Turn Off Request form. There is a fee for this service. All requests should be made at least two days in advance. This form is also available at our website under Forms.

Yes, if you need a week extension from the disconnection date please contact the Billing Office, 301-645-0624. Unusual circumstances may warrant a pay plan which allows you to spread out payments. You must submit our Deferred Payment Plan Request Form located on the Water & Sewer Billing webpage. A minimum of a $50.00 payment must be posted to your account within 24 hours of your request and your final payment must be received one week prior to your next bill. All payments must be received no more than one month apart. Tenants must receive permission from their landlords in writing for payment plans. Approval must be sent directly from the landlord and can be faxed or emailed to wsbilling@charlescountymd.gov.

All position announcements with Charles County Government include either a closing/deadline date for applications or indicate the position is open until filled, with a best consideration date. Once a position closes, the deadline for receiving applications has passed. The Department of Human Resources ensures that every application is entered into the applicant tracking system. A recruiter in Human Resources screens all applications for qualifications and ranks them. Once this is completed, the applications are forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department selects who they wish to interview and notifies the Department of Human Resources, who then contacts those candidates. These steps usually take approximately 6-8 weeks after the closing date. If you have any questions about the status of a position you have applied for, you may call (301) 645-0585.

Call the Department of Utilities 301-609-7400; we will install a clean-out at the property line at no cost to the homeowner. Once we have done so, if you experience a sewer stoppage or backup, call us before calling a plumber.

The Waiting List is maintained by date and time of application. Only when a person's name reaches the top of the list can they be considered for the program. Finding a unit does not move someone ahead on the Waiting List.

The Treasurer's Office has a payment center in Waldorf as well as the main Treasurer's Office in the Government Building in LaPlata. The Waldorf Payment Center is located at the Sheriff's Office building at 3670 Leonardtown Rd. If you are coming from Route 301, take Leonardtown Rd. (Route 5), then a left on Vivian Adams Rd. On Vivian Adams Rd. take your immediate right behind Midas to reach the parking lot. This Satellite Center has its own separate entrance on the ground floor. There is also a Night Depository Box for those that cannot pay during business hours, which are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please do not mail payments to the Waldorf Payment Center. The Treasurer's Satellite Office does not have a mail receptacle.

No. VanGO bus routes are fixed routes operating on timed schedules and do not deviate. Customers must reach the bus stop by their own means. If a person is unable to reach the nearest bus stop due to a medical condition, they may apply for VanGO Specialized Services by completing a VanGO Specialized Services Application. VanGO Specialized Services do provide door-to-door service for qualified applicants.

If you have your account number, you can view your account history online. Select Services, next scroll down to Water and Sewer, Utility Account Inquiry. You will need your account/customer number to access this information.

Call the Utilities Department at 301-609-7400 no later than 2:30 p.m. on work days. We will dispatch someone to the residence to turn the water off. It is best to request that this service be performed during regular working hours as the fee charged is higher at all other times. When the repair has been completed, call the office and we will send someone out to turn the water back on. An adult must be in the residence at the time of turn-on.

Yes, you need to call the Miss Utility center at 1-800-257-7777 to request to have the lines marked. The Charles County Department of Utilities is a member of Miss Utility.

No, your drawings have been submitted and our staff can review them, however, you are unable to view what was uploaded through your account.  

Call the Department of Public Works at 301-609-7400 before calling a plumber. Someone will come to your residence and determine if it is a blockage in the County lines or your lines. If the blockage is in your lines, you will need to contact a plumber.

Stop using your water and do not flush your toilet. Call the Department of Utilities 301-609-7400 and we will send a technician to locate the stoppage by inspecting the clean-out and the sewer main. If the stoppage is on the County side of the clean-out, we will "snake" the sewer service to clean the line. If the main and clean-out are free of blockage, you may wish to contact a plumber. If there is no clean-out at the property line, Utilities staff will advise you to contact a plumber as we cannot go on site to work on your private lines.

The account will automatically unlock after 15 minutes. After 15 minutes try again and correctly enter all credentials. If you do not remember your password, click on “Forgot your password?” to reset your password. If you do not remember your username, please contact our office at 301-934-0692 and a member of our staff will retrieve your username.

Please call 301-645-0692 and be prepared to provide us with your first and last name, your company name, and your license number. Your information will be entered into the Citizen Self Service portal.

Charles County will give guidance on flushing the line after replacement and sample the water to ensure there is no lead coming from the service line.

Any person who is ineligible to be a member of the Center (e.g; under age 60 or not a County resident) can serve as a volunteer at the center. There are many volunteer opportunities available at the centers and this a great way to support the community and services for senior citizens. Each year, the Division hosts a Volunteer Appreciation event to honor all of its dedicated volunteers. To inquire about volunteering, contact Senior I & A at 301-609-5712.

Occasionally, Senior Centers will host intergenerational events or events that are open to the general public. These programs will be advertised as such and are open to persons who  might otherwise be ineligible for Senior Center membership. Ineligible persons are also encouraged to take part in activities and classes that offered at Community Centers throughout Charles County for persons of all ages (see Parks and Recreation).

A personal care attendant must be provided by the customer. Drivers are able to provide assistance door-to-door only if a customer needs assistance once arriving at their destination. The customer needs to make plans to have a personal care attendant accompany them. A VanGO staff member can ride along on the first few trips to help a customer learn how to use the system.

Yes. Meals are provided daily at all four Senior Centers. Persons are requested to make a reservation for lunch at least one day prior so that the appropriate number of meals can be ordered. The menu is generally the same for both Senior Center lunches and Meals on Wheels. Persons who are at least age 60 and registered at the Senior Center can enjoy lunch for a voluntary contribution. For persons who are less than 60 years old, there are grocery delivery services available in Charles County. There may be other meal service options and limited exceptions for younger persons who are disabled. To discuss other supportive options for meal services, please contact the Nutritionist at 301-934-0138, or via email at furlowl@charlescounty.org.

Instructions on how to reduce lead exposure in drinking water can be found on the Service Line Assurance Initiative webpage:  www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/SLAI

Strengthen the tax base, support job growth, and attract visitors through diversification of industry sectors to include those that are desirable and feasible based on industry growth potential and corresponding county assets.

Enhance infrastructure that supports small businesses, entrepreneurship, and employment.

When you need to invoice for a fee not associated with a Permit, Plan, or Code Case you can invoice using the cashier module.

1. Go to the EnerGov E
2. Choose Cashier
3. Choose Cashier Viewer
4. Choose Invoice
5. Click New
6. Click on Misc Fee Tab
7. Click Add, and Search for the fees you want to add.
8. Add a Billing Contact
9. Update any other information needed (such as adding a note, adding additional billing contacts)
10. Click Save.

 An invoice created like this works just like an invoice attached to a Permit, Plan, or Code Case and can be seen in the Billing Contacts CSS as long as you associated the correct contact on the invoice.

No, Charles County does not have an apprenticeship license.

Camping is not allowed in Charles County parks.

No. Meals on Wheels is not free! The published price for meals is currently $5.75 per meal. However, if a person meets all of the eligibility requirements to receive Meals on Wheels, they are entitled to participate for a voluntary donation toward the cost of the meals. Eligible participants are requested to contribute as much as they can afford toward the cost of the meals. All donations are used to purchase meals for needy seniors. For more information, please contact the Nutritionist at 301-934-0138 or via email at furlowl@charlescounty.org.

There are many factors to determine if a property is historic. In general, if a property is over 50 years old, it may be considered historic, but this is not the only criteria. You can search a property address to determine if there is an Inventory form and if it is on the National Register Maryland Historical Trust Maryland Inventory.

Routine maintenance, or work that does not alter the exterior fabric or features of a site or structure, and has no material effect on the historical, archaeological, or architectural significance of the site or structure, is not subject to a Historic Area Work Permit.

Specific items considered as ordinary maintenance that do not require a Historic Area Work Permit Application include:

• Repair or replacement of roofs, gutters, siding, external doors and windows, trim, lights and other appurtenant features with like material of like design.
• Landscaping.
• Paving repair using like materials of like design.
• Painting on non-masonry surfaces using same or substantially the same color

Swimming is prohibited at all parks. For swimming pool information, please call Charles County Recreation at 301-934-9305 ext. 5148.

No. The "smoke" is not true smoke. It will not harm your health or leave a stain and will disappear rapidly without leaving an odor. If the smoke enters your home, it may make you cough, but the smoke is:

• Non-toxic
• Non-staining and odorless
• Harmless to humans, pets, plants, food and material goods
• Creates no fire hazard

It is against the law to allow your domestic animal to defecate on public property, or private property that does not belong to the pet's owner. Any waste must be removed and disposed of in a proper and sanitary manner.

No. Some classes and programs may have a participation fee that covers the cost of instructors or supplies, but Charles County does not require a "membership fee" to attend Senior Centers. However, all participants are requested to 'register' annually as members of the Senior Center. Registration enables the County to document the use of its facilities and report usage statistics to the State and Federal government which provide funds toward the operation of Senior Centers and senior programs.

Yes, players must at least eight (8) years old.

Yes, residents can skate at the Charles County Skatepark. Please call the Skatepark at 301-638-5208 for hours of operation, entry and rental rates.

No. There is no "medical" bus; but VanGO does have specialized services, which can be done with buses but are usually done with vans. Eligible customers are taken to various appointments, including medical appointments, or even just to visit a friend.

If a customer lives on or near a VanGO public transportation route, however, they are required to take the bus (provided it travels to their destination) unless they can demonstrate through a VanGO Specialized Services Application why they are physically or mentally unable to do so. A professional, usually a doctor, must complete a section of the application before it can be submitted. If it is determined that a customer is not capable of using the public transportation routes, they may be approved for specialized services.

Yes. There are several programs that offer financial assistance for frail seniors or their family caregivers. Examples of home and community-based services include the National Family Caregivers Support Program, the Senior Care Program, Older Adults Medicaid Waiver Program, and client services funded by Title IIIB of the Older Americans Act. There is also a subsidy available for eligible seniors who need assistance paying for assisted living. For more information about these programs, contact the Long Term Care unit at 301-934-0128, or via email at olmstedc@charlescounty.org.

Yes. Charles County employs a full-time Resident Advocate who works under the state Long Term Care Ombudsman program. The Resident Advocate can investigate concerns or complaints regarding the care of residents in Assisted Living or Nursing Homes, offer mediation services, provide education and support to resident councils and family councils, advocate for residents rights, provide official reports of facility violations to the state licensing authority, and work with local law enforcement if there is any suspected abuse of residents in long term care facilities. To contact the Resident Advocate, call 301-934-0133, or email at sinesk@charlescounty.org.

After the unit has passed inspection, the tenant will have an appointment with their Occupancy Specialist to sign contracts. This appointment is usually held within 1-3 days of the unit passing inspection. Once the contracts are signed by the tenant, the tenant can move in. Contracts are then mailed to the landlord for signature. Assistance is effective the date the contracts are signed by the tenant.

In 2004, the State Legislature passed a law creating the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund. This fund is dedicated to upgrade Maryland's wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks in critical areas, and establish cover crops to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus from going into the bay. To support this fund, the Maryland Department of Environment charges a fee to all residential and commercial water and sewer customers. Residential water/sewer customers are charged $5.00 per month, or $15.00 quarterly, on their water/sewer bills. Commercial customers are charged based on the average daily sewage flow. Customers on well and septic are charged $60.00 per year and appears on their property tax bills.

More information regarding the Bay Fee.

Payment must be received prior to connection. The Billing Office can be reached at 301-645-0624 or 301-870-2542. Once they have received your payment, the Billing Office will instruct you to contact the Utilities Department at 301-609-7400 or 301-753-8270 to schedule an appointment to have the water turned back on. An adult, age 18 or older, must be in the residence at the time of the appointment. Same day turn on services are between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Appointments for next day service are scheduled on the hour between 8:00 a.m and 2:00 p.m., excluding 12:00 p.m.. A "No Show Fee" of $28.00 will be assessed if an adult is not in the home at the time the technician arrives for the service or if access to the home is not available (i.e., an adult is present but does not have a key to the home or business).

Contact the Billing Office at 301-645-0624. We schedule appointments for same day turn on between the hours of 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. An adult has to be in the residence at the time of the appointment. We can schedule an appointment for next business day on the hours between 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. excluding 12:00 p.m.

Looking for Leaks?

Were you watering your lawn this summer or do you have additional people living in your home? Do you have a toilet leaking? Have you replaced your toilet flappers in the past year? Do you have an ice machine? Are any fixtures inside or outside spigots leaking at all?

I would recommend doing a dye test on your toilets. Put blue or green food coloring in the tank of your toilets and let it sit 4 to 8 hours. Do not use red, it can stain. If any of the food color shows up in the toilet bowl then the toilet is leaking. If you do not see any then check the tank of the toilet. Verify the coloring is still in the tank. If it is not then this is another indication the toilet is leaking. If feasible, shut the toilet off at the spigot until it is repaired. You can have a leaking toilet and not hear it. Leaking toilets do not flood your home because they drain down the sewer lines. If ignored, your usage and bill can increase significantly in the coming months.

Another way to look for a leak would be at your meter. If the water meter is located in your home, it is probably by the hot water heater. Once locate lift the lid, you would be able to see the current reading. There should also be a red star. If this red star is moving and you are not using water, this would be another indication for a leak. This, however, is not reliable to tell if a toilet is leaking because toilet leaks only show when the tank is refilling. You can also try writing down the numbers and check again several hours later to see if they have moved. If they have and you have not used water, there is a leak somewhere.

Make sure the hot water heater tank is not leaking. Check all around the floor to make sure it is not wet.

Check all your spigots, faucets, and tubs for leaks.

If you have an ice maker, check the coil connection, usually under the sink, and make sure that is not leaking. Ice makers are known to have problems over time.

If you have any further questions, you can contact the Billing Office at 301-645-0624 or 301-870-2542, or wsbilling@charlescounty.org. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

Once the PSR is complete and you would like to open it so the applicant can apply for the subsequent application (such as Site Development Plan, Plat, PSP etc..), you must add that into the workflow in order to allow them to apply.

To Add the Plan to the Workflow:

1. Go to the PSR
2. Click on the Workflow Details Tab
3. Right click on "Crate Sub Plans"
4. Click Add Action
5. Search for the plan they need to apply for (Example: Residential PSP.  Click on Search also will list all available options).
6. Click the select box next to the plan name then click OK.

You are now done.  The applicant will now see the name of the plan type to apply for and a blue Apply button in their CSS under this PSR on the Sub Records tab.

Field crews will distribute a notice door to door approximately 24 to 48 hours in advance. Police, Fire and the Public Works Official will also be notified daily of work area.

Call the Department of Utilities at 301-609-7400 before calling a plumber. Someone will come to your residence and determine if it is a blockage in the county lines or your lines. If the blockage is in your lines you will need to contact a plumber.

Make sure everyone who needs access to the invoice is listed as a billing contact on that invoice. REMEMBER: if they were not a case contact before the invoice was created, they will not be able to see/are not listed as a billing contact on the invoice automatically.  If this is the case, you can fix the issue in the following two ways:

Option #1 - Void the Invoice

• Void the Invoice (make sure you put a note on the invoice why you are voiding it and put a note in the case with the invoice number that the invoice has been voided and why).
• Add the new contact to the case (if you have not already added them).
• Create a new invoice.

Option #2 - Add Additional Billing Contact

• Open the invoice.
• Click Edit Invoice
• Go to the Billing Contact Tab
• Add the additional contact needed.
• Save the invoice.

They are still unable to see the invoice? - Check to make sure the contact you have added is the contact with the active CSS account. Remember, any contact with a blue/green (non gray scale) globe has an active CSS account. 

Yes, a public/special event permit is required anytime an event is held that the public/community are openly invited to attend. When you or your organization plans events or activities, it is important that specific agencies are notified to ensure your planned event complies with all local and state regulations for special/public events. Those agencies include but are not limited to Emergency Services, Liquor Board, Public Facilities, State Highway Administration, Circuit Court, Fiscal Services, Permits Administration, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryland State Police.

These agencies may require the event holder to provide additional services related to large crowds in order to manage the number of planned attendees to ensure their safety. It is recommended that you submit for your permit a minimum of 45 days prior to the event to allow all agencies to review the application.

Public events, such as carnivals, circuses, decorator's showcases or theme festivals, shall be allowed for a maximum period of 30 days, provided that no structure or equipment shall be located within 200 feet of any residential lot less than five acres.  

When a public event accommodates more than 300 people, it shall be subject to the following additional requirements:

1. The temporary use permit shall specify the use, dates and hours of operation of the event.
2. Adequate arrangements for temporary sanitary facilities must be approved by the County Department of Health.
3. No permanent or temporary electrical power for lighting or other uses shall be installed without an electrical permit demonstrating compliance with the County's electrical code.
4. The site shall be cleared of all debris at the end of the event and cleared of all temporary structures within three days thereafter. A bond or guarantee in a sufficient amount as determined by the Zoning Officer shall be provided to ensure that the premises shall be cleared of all debris. For an event of 1,000 or more attendees per day, the bond or guarantee in a sufficient amount as determined by the Zoning Officer shall be provided to ensure that all public emergency service agencies will be paid for the provision of agreed upon services.
5. Adequate off-street parking shall be provided and a stabilized drive to the parking area shall be maintained.
6. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to guide traffic to parking areas. The applicant shall notify the local enforcement authority and shall provide adequate traffic control.

Permits can be paid online through our self service portal

https://land.charlescountymd.gov/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService#/home

We do offer some therapeutic programs for persons with physical and mental disabilities including themed dances, special swim classes, a social dance class, and a bowling class. Charles County's Special Olympics program offers year-round athletic competition to persons 8 years of age and older in a variety of sports including basketball, swimming, golf, tennis, track and field, bocce ball, softball, volleyball, kyakking and skiing.

VanGO has routes specifically for dialysis patients and Senior Center Plus participants. Routes are subject to service areas and vehicle capacity. Applications must be completed.

• Ease of use: simply scan your key-fob and go!
• Multiple locations: you can use your membership at any of our school-based community centers, the Port Tobacco Recreation Center, Elite Gymnastics and Recreation Center, Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center, and any of our aquatic facilities.
• Cost savings: if you drop-in to play adult basketball once a week and opt to pay the $5 daily drop-in fee, that is $260 for a year’s worth of play – with RecPASS you pay just $100 for a year of unlimited drop-ins!

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• The Water/Sewer Billing Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The Utilities Department hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• We are closed for holidays.

You must provide your animal with sufficient, wholesome and nutritious food; clean, cool water in sufficient quantities; proper air, shelter, space, and protection from the weather; veterinary care, when needed, to prevent suffering; and humane care and treatment at all times. Pets can not be tethered outside more than four (4) hours a day. Minimal kennel sizes are also identified in the regulations. Remember, when transporting your animal in a vehicle, the animal must be safely confined. Your animal is not allowed to ride in an unenclosed area of your vehicle unless he/she is confined by a securely affixed, well-ventilated cage, or other device designated to safely prevent the animal from falling or jumping from your vehicle.

The site, structure, or district under designation consideration should generally meet the criteria necessary to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places and also have historical and cultural significance or architectural and design significance.

For information on evaluation criteria, please visit the National Register of Historic Places.

You should exercise reasonable care and take all necessary steps and precautions to protect other people, property, and animals from injuries or damage which might result from the animal's behavior, regardless of whether the behavior is motivated by playfulness, fear, sickness, or ferocity. In addition, if a minor is the custodian of an animal, the parent or guardian is still responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations and State codes. Don't forget that animals may not be sold or given to a minor without the written consent of the parent or legal guardian. 

• Animal Regulations

For information regarding landfill rates, please call the scale house at 301-932-9038, Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m - 4:00 p.m. or view all the current County fees and charges.

The daytime (between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.) maximum noise levels are: 60 dBA residential, 67 dBA commercial and 75 dBA industrial. The nighttime (between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.) maximum noise levels are: 50 dBA residential, 62 dBA commercial and 75 dBA industrial.

Our office hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The Charles County Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors shall grant a Restricted Master License to an individual who is at least 21 years of age, pays the applicable fees, and meets one of the criteria below: 

1. Holds a current Restricted Master License, with identical restrictions, from a Maryland jurisdiction which has equivalent examination and qualifying procedures to those required in Charles County and which grants reciprocity to Charles County licensees. The individual shall have no current record of violations in the jurisdiction where licensed. If the individual obtained the license by examination, the individual shall have held it for at least one (1) year; or
2. Candidate passes the Charles County Restricted Master Electrician qualifying examination. To sit for the qualifying examination, candidates must meet the following requirements and be approved by the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors:
   1. Has been regularly and principally engaged in restricted type(s) of electrical work for at least 4,000 hours under the direction and supervision of a Master, Restricted Master, or similarly qualified government electrician.
   2. Has correctly answered at least 70% of the questions on the examination given by the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors to determine the applicant’s knowledge and skill in one or two restricted type(s) of electrical work.

The Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors is a five-member board appointed by the Charles County Commissioners. Their purpose is to enforce the Public Laws of Charles County in Chapter 41, Electrical Apparatus and Wiring, of the Code for Charles County. They are responsible for reviewing all applications for the Master, Restricted Master, and Journeyman Licenses as well as permits for Homeowners performing their own electrical work. The board administers and grades electrical licensing exams and issues licenses.

According to § 27-1(B) of the Charles County Code, the Redistricting Board has the following charge:

The Redistricting Board shall establish the tentative boundaries of the 4 Commissioner Districts after due consideration and investigation within reasonable and lawful guidelines. The Redistricting Board shall give priority consideration to election district lines, as well as to demographics and geography. The Redistricting Board shall set and conduct public hearings in each of the proposed 4 Commissioner Districts after tentative district boundaries have been drawn and defined. Notice of public hearings giving time, date and place shall be published in 2 county newspapers 10 days prior to the public hearings. After all public hearings have been held and a final draft of the districting plan has been completed, the Redistricting Board shall submit the districting plan to the County Commissioners…

There are many different options for Senior Housing in Charles County which vary by price, amenities, and level of care needed by residents. The Aging & Community Centers' staff would be happy to discuss the various options with you, or send a list of senior housing resources to you if requested. Call Senior Information & Assistance at 301-609-5712 or via email at masont@charlescounty.org.

Independent Senior Living is intended for those persons who do not need assistance with their activities of daily living, and is available in apartment-style, cottage-style, or single family living options. Some independent living options are subsidized to keep prices below housing market rates, while others are priced at market rate or luxury living prices.

Assisted Living is intended for persons who need assistance in order to perform regular activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, shopping, etc.), as a result of disability or cognitive impairment. Licensed Assisted Living Facilities range from small private group homes that house just a few residents, up to large corporate-owned complexes with over 100 residents.

Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Homes are intended for persons with advanced health conditions who are unable to perform activities of daily living and have a skilled nursing need. Charles County currently has 3 nursing homes. Persons who require a nursing home for long term care, but wish to receive these skilled services at home or in an assisted living may wish to apply for the Older Adult Waiver (OAW) program. OAW inquiries may call 301-934-9305, ext. 5145 or via email at hamptonb@charlescounty.org.

Be careful what you put into the sewer service. Grease, paper towels, diapers, and other items that will not dissolve should be disposed of elsewhere.

If you own property in the Critical Area, then you are subject to Article IX of the Charles County Zoning Code, which has specific requirements for development and or improvements to properties within the Critical Area. We recommend you contact the Planning Division and schedule an appointment with a Planner if you would like to explore options on how to develop and/or improve your property located in the Critical Area.

Article IV Permissible Uses, § 297-63 of the County Zoning Regulations regulates the types of uses or activities that are permitted on individual properties based on the corresponding zoning. 

In accordance with §278-25.E (2) of the Charles County Subdivision Regulations, applicants have six (6) months from the TRC meeting to respond to the review comments and submit a resubmittal package through their CSS portal.

• Should an Applicant for a Preliminary Subdivision Plan fail to meet the six (6) month resubmittal time frame, the applicant may submit, in writing to the Planning Director, a request for a time extension not to exceed three (3) months. Only two such extensions may be granted.
• Should an Applicant for a Commercial/Industrial Site Development Plan fail to meet the six (6) month resubmittal time frame, the original application will be voided. A voided application will require the refiling of the application including the payment of all application fees.

As an incentive to keep your project moving through the review and approval process we will reduce the review period for all resubmittal packages received in less than ninety (90) days from the TRC meeting and/or distribution of the review comments. Resubmittals received in less than ninety (90) days will be reviewed and subsequent comments will be provided by the twenty-seventh (27th) day from the date the resubmittal package was received.

Resubmittal packages received after ninety (90) days but within six (6) months from the TRC meeting and/or the distribution of the review comments will be subject to the following review timeline:

Comments for the following application types will be available by the twenty-sixth (26th) day from the date the resubmittal package was accepted:

• Major and Minor Site Development Plans 
• Variances
• Special Exceptions
• Zoning Text and Map Amendments
• Planned Development Zone Application

Comments for the following application types will be available by the thirty-fifth (35th) day from the date the resubmittal package was accepted:

• Preliminary Subdivision Plans
• Major Plats of Subdivision
• Concept Subdivision Plans

Applications for Special Exceptions, Variances, Zoning Text or Map Amendments, and Planned Development Zones (PDZs), will only be allowed the initial submittal and one resubmittal before the staff report is prepared and the project is scheduled on a Planning Commission or Board of Appeals agenda.

One of the main causes is roots from trees that may enter the pipe at the joints or cracks in older pipe as they seek water. A broken pipe can allow soil to enter the line and cause a problem. Another cause is excessive grease or items introduced by the homeowner or building occupant that collects and hardens.

Residents can fish at Friendship Farm Park, Gilbert Run Park, Mallows Bay Park and Southern Park.

If you determine you have a lead service line, first do not panic. All lead service lines have the potential to leach lead into drinking water, but we carefully manage the water chemistry in the distribution system to prevent this from happening. Please notify Charles County Government Utilities Mattawoman Office at 301-609-7400 and we will provide guidance on replacement and funding opportunities.

If your project requires a permit, get a permit. If you are working with a contractor who suggests skipping this step, consider moving on to another contractor.

If a permit is not obtained you could be forced to pay additional fees. A stop work order could be issued or you could be required to tear down your work. For example, you could be asked to remove a wall so the inspectors can see what work was done behind it. 

The patient can contact Meridian Financial Management toll free at 1-888-429-5380 for other payment options, including criteria which can be used to waive payment when special or hardship situations exist. Ultimately, no one should incur financial hardship as a result of receiving a medical transport.

FoofGolf can be played every day after 12:00 noon. Off season schedule may include morning hours – check with staff for updated information on November-March hours.

When necessary, a 911 call taker can add an interpreter from an outside service to the line. A non-English speaking caller may hear a short conversation in English and some clicking sounds as the interpreter is added to the line.

Communication centers that answer 911 calls have special text telephones for responding to 911 calls from deaf or hearing/speech impaired callers.

If a caller uses a TTY/TDD, the caller should:

• Stay calm and dial 911 using your TTY device.
• Give the call taker time to connect their TTY. If necessary, press the TTY keys again. The 911 call taker should answer and type "GA" for Go Ahead.
• Type what is needed, police/fire department/ambulance. Give your name, phone number, and the address where help is needed.
• Stay on the telephone if it is safe and type responses to the call takers questions.

Locations in La Plata and Waldorf have night drops that payments can be placed in

Payments can be made online https://www.charlescountymd.gov/services/online-payments

By Phone: Call 866-692-6828. Be sure to have your account information and billing invoice(s) readily available. The system relies on accuracy of this information to process a valid transaction. Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted for this option only. No American Express at this time.

Notice: Govolution, LLC will charge a processing fee of 2.5% on the total amount being paid using telephone payments for all Discover, MasterCard Credit/Debit Cards, Visa Credit Cards, Visa Corporate Debit Cards, or $3.95 for Visa Consumer Debit Cards. All Water/Sewer IVR phone payments will be charged a flat fee of $4.95 per item.

All health insurance companies can be billed for EMS transport just as they are billed for a patient's other medical coverage. Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Maryland as well as any other medical insurance carrier can be billed directly by Meridian Financial Management. The process for including other companies for direct billing is underway. If covered by one of these insurance carriers, the patient should not receive a bill, only a statement of charges and payment by the insurance company.

Pretreatment is a program designed to control pollutants from commercial and industrial users which may cause damage to the wastewater collection system (sewers) or pass through or interfere with wastewater treatment processes. Pretreatment regulations for restaurants and food handlers involve removing grease from their wastewater to prevent the grease from entering the sewer system. Automotive establishments are required to have grit, oil and flammable liquids removal systems. Doctors, dentists and photo processors using silver halide films are required to have a silver recovery unit. Other types of commercial and industrial users may have additional pretreatment requirements.

The Cross Connection Control program helps insure the quality of the County drinking water by preventing contamination of potable (drinking) water with non-potable (contaminated) water. Back flow prevention devices, including, but not limited to devices such as air gaps, dual check valve devices, double check valve assemblies and reduced pressure zone (RPZ) assemblies address potential sources of contamination.

A right-of-way (ROW) is land on both sides of a roadway that the County has rights over. The distance varies, but as an example, a road might have a 60 foot ROW which means that from the center of the roadway, the County has access to 30 feet on each side. Fences, basketball hoops, large boulders/stones, skateboard ramps, etc. are prohibited within the ROW. If a complaint is received, a homeowner is given 10 days to remove the item prior to it being removed by the County.

A false alarm is an alarm dispatch request to the police, fire, or emergency medical services where emergency responders find no evidence of medical need, criminal offense or attempted criminal offense, or need of fire department services.

Galvanized pipes are iron pipes that have been dipped in a protective zinc coating to prevent corrosion and rust. Galvanized pipe was used as an alternative to lead pipe for water supply service lines. Galvanized service lines can capture lead released from upstream lead service lines. This stored lead can be released into the home, which is why this service line type may require replacement and be categorized as GRR (see graphic below).

VanGO specialized services is a limited resource and customers going in the same general areas are required to share vehicle. Doing this may extend ride times or wait times but also allows VanGO to serve the most customers possible.

A Site Development Plan (SDP) is a professionally prepared drawing/plan that demonstrates that a proposed commercial use can meet all County Code requirements, such as building setbacks, parking, drive aisles, landscaping, stormwater management, water & sewer, etc. Minimum design requirements for a SDP can be found in Appendix A of the Charles County Zoning Code.

A SDP approval is required for any new commercial development, expansions to existing commercial development and multi-family residential project or for a change of use to an existing commercial site. A change of use is when a commercial building was originally approved for one type  of use and a new proposed type of use is in a different use category as determined by Article IV, Chapter §297-63 of the County Zoning.

A service line is the underground pipe that connects your home to the water main.

An easement provides the right to use homeowners’ land for one of the broadband projects. The homeowner still owns the land, even if they grant an easement.

An easement provides IQ Fiber the right to use homeowners’ land for the NCN Broadband Buildout. The homeowner still owns the land, even if they grant an easement.

Enterprise Funds account for revenues and expenditures for specific operations that are supported by user fees, with little or no subsidy by the general tax payer. For example, County owned water and sewer systems generate revenues from water fees and sewer fees which supports the Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund. Additional information.

FootGolf is a sport that combines the popular game of soccer with the traditional game of golf. FootGolf actually uses the basic model of regular golf. The challenge is for players to kick a soccer ball into an oversized (21”) hole in the least amount of kicks possible.

When a property is subject to a development activity, Chapter 298 of the County Code requires that a percentage of the property remains forested in order to protect sensitive environmental areas such as streams and wetlands.

The Charles County Zoning Ordinance in Article XIX allows for the installation of wall mounted building, freestanding, and monument signs within Charles County, which requires the issuance of building permit. 

Sign permit applications require the following items:

Freestanding or Monument Signs

• Site plan showing all property lines, exiting structures and proposed location of the sign.
• Signed and sealed construction drawings prepared by a MD Licensed Professional Engineer or Architect.
• Signs requiring electrical service, must obtain a separate trade permit by a Master Electrician – Licensed in Charles County.

 Wall Mounted Signs

• Sign design plan that shows the planned location of the sign(s) on the building.
• Sign type: lighted box, lighted channel, neon, etc.
• Anchoring system (type of material and pattern).

Properties located within the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Zone must obtain Planning Design Review Board (PDRB) approval. Contact Meredith Management at (301) 843-8111 for more information on PDRB approvals. The PDRB approval must be provided at time of application submission. All zoning requirements for signs are outlined in the Article XIX of the Zoning Ordinance . All construction drawing submittals must comply with the 2018 International Building Code.

Reverse 911 is a communications solution combining database and GIS mapping technologies to deliver messages to the public from the 911 center. The 911 center can quickly target a precise geographic area and saturate it with thousands of calls per hour regarding an emergency or warning information.

Satellite Internet is the ability to transmit and receive data using a satellite dish, which communicates with stations orbiting the Earth. It is a popular option for rural or remote areas without access to land-line Internet.

The water/sewer fund is a self-supporting entity.  The Account Maintenance Fee covers the expense of maintaining each account. This includes quarterly readings, requested readings, processing invoices, postage, and customer service.

The Account Set Up Fee is to cover expenses to take an existing customer account out of one name and create a water/sewer account for the new owner or new tenant.  To avoid raising rates to all our water/sewer customers, a one-time fee was needed for only the customers requesting this service.  Prior to implementing, we researched other counties and found the New Account Fee was used frequently to recoup their expenses.

I hope this explanation has helped answer your question.  If you have any more questions, you can email our office at wsbilling@charlescountymd.gov or call the office at 301-645-0624.

Upon receipt of a Historic Area Work Permit application, the Historic Preservation Commission will review and consider the application at a public meeting for acceptance or rejection. The Commission shall give consideration to the historic, archaeological, or architectural significance of the historic site, or structure and the relationship of the exterior architectural features of a site or structure to the remainder of the site or structure, and to the surrounding area. The Commission shall also consider the general compatibility of the proposed exterior design, scale, proportion, arrangement, texture and materials to the site, structure, or designated district, if applicable, and to the surrounding area.

The Historic Preservation Commission shall file a Certificate of Approval certifying approval, modification, or rejection of each application submitted for review to the Department of Planning & Growth Management. Work shall not commence on any project until the Certificate of Approval has been filed. The Commission has 45 days from the date a completed application is submitted to render a Certificate of Approval, or the application will be automatically approved.

The Service Line Assurance Initiative was launched to proactively comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, which were issued in 2021. The main goals of the revised rule include submitting an inventory of the service lines in the Charles County water distribution system and providing our customers with transparent public education materials.

The Fiscal Year 2026 tax rate is $1.141 per $100 assessed value.

The County has an aspirational 25% MBE goal. This is a desirable, non-mandatory goal. However, MBE participation is strongly encouraged.

 Firms interested in registering for the County’s MBE program can find information at the County’s Economic Development Department webpage at www.meetcharlescounty.com.

The Critical Area are all lands and waters within 1,000 feet of mean high tide and/or tidal waters and wetlands. It includes the waters of and lands under the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. These areas are subject to additional restrictions for development and construction as required under Article IX of the Charles County Zoning Code.

Critical Area Maps

Registered alarm users are given three free false alarms per rolling twelve month period. Once three false alarms occur, an alarm user is charged the following false alarm response fees:

• 4th false alarm: $50
• 5th through 7th false alarm: $150
• 8th through 10th false alarm: $200
• 11th+ false alarm: $300

Non-registered alarm users are subject to an additional non-permitted penalty of $150 for every false alarm.

Face coverings block the spread of larger respiratory droplets, reducing the potential spread of COVID-19. Cloth face coverings can be made from household items and include wearing a scarf or bandanna that covers the nose and mouth. The CDC has detailed guidance and instructions regarding homemade cloth face coverings. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

The purpose of smoke testing is to find potential points of inflow and infiltration in the public and private portions of the sanitary sewer system that could lead to high flows during storm events. Smoke testing can also help locate the following:

• Buildings that have downspouts, cellar, yard or basement drains
• Catch basins and parking lot drains
• Any connections between sanitary sewers and storm drains
• Defective sewer connections that could allow sewer gases into a building

The Recordation Tax Rate for Charles County is $10.00 per $1,000.00 of the consideration amount.

Charles County's Tag-A-Bag program is a program that enables residents to dispose of their household trash in compactors located at our recycling centers. For Tag-A-Bag ticket locations and rates, please call the Division of Environmental Resources at 301-932-3599 or visit the Tag-A-Bag page.

301-645-9300.

301-645-0624 or 301-870-2542, select option 1.

For Fiscal Year 2026, the total tax rate is $1.317 per $100 assessed value. If property is located in the Town of La Plata or Indian Head please contact the Treasury Division at 301-645-0685.

VanGO is Charles County's public transportation service with public bus routes and specialized services operating throughout Charles County. MV Transportation, a professional transportation provider, provides VanGO services under a contract with the Charles County Government. The Charles County Department of Community Services (DCS) is the branch of Charles County Government responsible for VanGO services.

If any unusual smells/fumes are present in a County maintained facility, please call 301-932-3490 immediately.

Bensville Park
Rt. 229, White Plains

Friendship Farm Park
Rt. 425, Nanjemoy

Gilbert Run Park
Rt. 6, Dentsville

Laurel Springs Park
Radio Station Road, La Plata

Maxwell Hall Park
Rt. 231, Hughesville

Oak Ridge Park
Oliver Shop Road, Bryantown

Ruth B. Swann Park
Rt. 210, Bryans Road

Southern Park
Rt. 254, Newburg

Turkey Hill Park
Turkey Hill Road, La Plata

White Plains Park
St. Charles Parkway, Waldorf

For Fiscal Year 2026, the percent of the budget funds for public safety is 29%.

The Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form or the National Register of Historic Places Nomination shall serve as the application form. These can be found at http://mht.maryland.gov.

If forms do not exist for a historic resource, they must be prepared by a qualified professional per the Maryland Historical Trust’s Standards and Guidelines for Architectural and Historical Investigations in Maryland or the Standards and Guidelines for Archeological Investigations in Maryland.

Applications should document how the site, structure or district meets criteria for evaluation and should include all relevant images and maps. 

• Do Not Become Alarmed
• Open windows to allow ventilation and note the location of the smoke emission; smoke will clear within a few minutes
• Exit the building and notify smoke testing personnel in the area.

When you receive notice that smoke testing will take place, you should:

• Check to see that all drain traps under basins, washing facilities and floor drains contain water; simply flush toilets and run or pour water into all drains, including unused fixtures and floor drains.
• If there is an individual in your home or business who has respiratory problems and/or mobility limitations, or if you have any additional questions, contact the Charles County Department of Public Works - Utilities at 301-609-7400.

Staff will need to verify historical accuracy. The applicant should provide whatever documentation they have to confirm all details of the site/story being proposed. Staff and/or the Charles County Historic Preservation Commission may ask for additional information and will work with applicants to the extent possible if additional information is needed. Since these markers are permanent, projects cannot move forward without verification.

Currently, Shared Sewage Disposal Systems may be used outside the County Development District for Affordable Housing Projects, Commercial Projects, Minor Subdivisions, within Rural Villages, or to correct Failing Septic Systems.

• All curbside recycling materials
• Batteries (household/auto)
• Electronics (computers, laptops, speakers, televisions, stereo equipment, DVD/VCR players, microwaves, cell phones.  Please hand cell phones to attendant on duty.  For safety and security reasons, only attendants are allowed in the electronics disposal area.)
• Oyster shells (thanks to a partnership with Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP))
• Scrap metal (appliances, bicycles, lawn mowers, metal furniture, etc.)
• Scrap tires (two residential tires free per visit)
• Textiles (clothing, shoes, draperies; items must be clean, dry, and bagged)
• Used cooking oil (waste oil from a deep fryer, frying pan, or wok - no material from grease traps)
• Used motor oil, oil filters, and antifreeze (do not mix fluids together; dispose empty containers in the trash; cooking oils and brake fluids are not accepted)
• Yard waste (10 bag maximum at recycling centers. Plastic bags are prohibited.  Larger amounts and pick-up truck loads of yard waste are only accepted at the compost yard within the landfill.  Stumps are not accepted).

Check the Waste Wizard for acceptable materials.

Soccer cleats are not allowed. Indoor soccer, turf or tennis shoes are the acceptable footwear options.

Below is a list of examples of projects that do or do not require a permit. This list provides as examples and is not all inclusive. If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit or not call our office at 301-645-0692.

• Additions
• Alterations
• Detached Garages
• Demolitions
• Decks
• Gazebos
• Carports
• Retaining Walls
• Pool House
• In-ground or Above Ground Pools
• Spas/Hot Tubs
• Solar Panels
• Storable Pools
• Sheds, Barns, and Pole Barns over 200 square feet (A Zoning Permit is required for a structure of any size)
• Concrete patios/pavers
• Piers
• Fences 7’1” in height or taller
• Pellet/Wood Stoves
• HVAC Related Work- AC Units, Heat Pumps, Gas or Oil Furnaces, Coils, Duct Work- Installation or replacement

 Example of when a Residential Permit is NOT Required (This is not an all-inclusive list)

• Acid cleaning of buildings or other structures
• Air conditioning repair or cleaning
• Residential awnings Residential kitchen cabinets
• Carpet installation
• Caulking
• Replacement of existing windows and doors (new openings require a building permit)
• Drywall repairs
• Fencing not over 7 feet high (except as required as part of a POOL permit)
• Flagstone work
• Floor laying and refinishing
• Furnace repair and cleaning, does not include replacement of equipment Insulation (except as required under new work and additions, etc.)
• Interior decoration (painting, trim work, “Z” brick, etc.)
• Ornamental iron railings, handrails
• Jalousie windows in existing openings
• Linoleum and tile work
• Replacing locks and hardware
• Oil burner repair
• Painting, plastering, paneling, and paper hanging
• Pointing brick work
• Replacement of shingle or roll roofing
• Sandblasting
• Replacement of siding (wood, aluminum, vinyl, etc.)
• Sink and counter tops
• Stained glass work
• Storm windows, doors, and screens
• Stucco work
• Tile work (ceramic and non‐ceramic)
• Extermination
• Gutters and down spouts

Validated service line material information will be added to the inventory submitted to MDE. Service lines constructed of outdated materials will be flagged for replacement.

You may see the following during the course of the project:

• Utility pole surveys - crews with measuring devices measuring the utility poles that will be used for aerial installation
• Underground installation with directional boring equipment installing conduit along roads
• Aerial Pole work - bucket trucks and crews installing fiber optic cable
• Crews pulling fiber optic cable through the installed conduit
• Crews connecting (splicing) the fiber optic cable together

You may see the following during the course of the project:

• Utility pole surveys - crews with measuring devices measuring the utility poles that will be used for aerial installation
• Underground installation with directional boring equipment installing conduit along roads
• Aerial Pole work - bucket trucks and crews installing fiber optic cable
• Crews pulling fiber optic cable through the installed conduit
• Crews connecting (splicing) the fiber optic cable together

Restricted Master and Homeowners Permit examinations are administered on per need basis. An examination application, with payment of required fees, must be submitted and reviewed by the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors prior to taking the examination. Applications for examination must be submitted a minimum of 45 days preceding the date of examination.  After the Board review, the Board Secretary will contact the applicant and provide notification of their application status. If accepted, the Board Secretary will provide the date and time of the next examination period.

Within 45 days of the examination the Board shall decide as to the qualifications of the applicant and as to whether the license will be granted. Notice of the Board’s decision will be mailed to the applicant.

An applicant who fails to pass an examination may take a reexamination at the next regularly scheduled examination. The applicant shall submit a written request for reexamination and pay the examination fee. After 7 years of no activity all failed exam applications and examinations will be destroyed.

Your application will be distributed for the first review once the invoice has been marked as paid. Once the review is complete a comment letter will be uploaded to your CSS Portal.

Comments for the following application types will be available by the twenty-sixth (26th) day from the date the invoice was marked as paid:

• Major and Minor Site Development Plans 
• Minor Plats of Subdivisions
• Variances
• Special Exceptions
• Zoning Text and Map Amendments
• Planned Development Zone Application

Comments for the following application types will be available by the thirty-fifth (35th) day from the date the invoice was marked as paid:

• Preliminary Subdivision Plans
• Major Plats of Subdivision
• Concept Subdivision Plans

After the first review, major site development plans, preliminary subdivision plans, and planned development zone applications will be scheduled for the next available Technical Review Committee (TRC) agenda.

A building permit will be issued once the applicant has satisfied all permit requirements by submitting all required documents, paying associated fees, and if required, responds to reviewers comments and resubmits documents for additional reviews.

When a permit is received by our office, it will be processed for acceptance within two (2) business days. A permit case manager will then issue the initial invoice to collect application and plan review fees. Once payment has been received, the permit review will begin. The permit case manager will contact the applicant when all reviews have been completed and the permit is ready for issuance.

Permit Review Time Frames:

Residential Building Permits- Each review will be processed within six (6) business days.
Residential Building Permits in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area- Each review will be processed within eight (8) business days.
Commercial Building Permits- Each review will be processed within fifteen (15) business days.
 Trade Permits- Will be processed and issued within two (2) business days.

A Historic Area Work Permit Application is required prior to the construction, alteration, reconstruction, moving, or demolition affecting the exterior of a designated site or structure, or a site or structure within a designated district.

Specific items requiring a Historic Area Work Permit Application include:

• Repair or replacement of roofs, gutters, siding, external doors and windows, trim, lights and other appurtenant fixtures, with different materials of different design.
• Removal of a building, structure or object, or a visible portion thereof, including out-buildings.
• New construction or any enlargement, modification, or alteration of the exterior of an existing building, structure or object which requires a Charles County building permit.
• Removal, replacement or enclosure of porches.
• Basic alteration of materials, including installation of siding, shingles, or masonry facing.
• Permanent removal of shutters.
• Removal, modification, or alteration of exterior architectural features.
• Painting or removal of paint on masonry.
• Repoint brick.
• Exterior sandblasting.
• New paving or modification of paving materials in front of building line.
• Installation or removal of fencing or fence-walls.
• Removal or installation of signs.

A permit is required the following Commercial Operations:

• Change of Occupancy
• Additions
• Alterations
• New Building
• Demolition
• Fence- over 7’1”
• Flagpole
• Fuel Tanks
• Retaining Wall
• Stages
• Temporary Trailers
• Tents
• Indoor/Outdoor Pools
• Signs

Pre-Submittal Conferences must be held for the following application types.

• Major and Minor Site Development Plans 
• Preliminary Subdivision Plans
• Minor Plats of Subdivision
• Special Exceptions
• Variances
• Zoning Text and Map Amendments
• Planned Development Zone Applications
• Final Plats of Major Subdivisions

Please call District Court at 301-932-3300.

There is no schedule for the Trolly Tours at this time. You may call the Tourism Office at 301-259-2500 for additional information.

911 is the "universal emergency number" used throughout the United States. It is intended to give the public fast and easy access to public safety resources in an emergency. It is important that you know when to call and when not to call 911. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from Police/Sheriff, Fire or Ambulance. Never delay calling 911 because you are in doubt about whether a situation is an emergency or not. It is always better to make the call. The 911 call taker will help you determine what resources are appropriate.

Do NOT call 911: For information, directory assistance, as a prank or for your pet.

All meter readings and billings are on a quarterly basis, around 90 days, unless it is your first or last billing. Should you not receive a bill within that time, please contact the billing office to verify if a new bill has been posted to your account or to view your account. Select Services and scroll down to the appropriate selection.

• Friendship Farm Park (Nanjemoy Creek), Nanjemoy;
• Gilbert Run Park (Wheatley Lake), Dentsville;
• Hatton Creek (Wicomico River), Issue;
• Mallows Bay Park (Potomac River), Nanjemoy;
• Marshall Hall (Potomac River), Bryans Road

Breeze Farm Recycling Center

Route 254, Cobb Island
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Gilbert Run Park Recycling Center

Rt. 6, Dentsville
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Charles County Landfill Recycling Center

Billingsley Road, Waldorf
Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pisgah Recycling Center

Route 425, Pisgah
Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Recycling Centers and Drop Off Sites

The Indian Head Rail Trail offers 13 miles of paved bike and pedestrian trail between Indian Head and White Plains, Maryland.

Pisgah Park offers a .75 mile paved fitness and biking trail that circles the edge of the park.

Hiking trails (no bicycles) are available at Gilbert Run Park, Friendship Farm Park, Laurel Springs Park, Mallows Bay Park, Maxwell Hall Park, Oak Ridge Park and Ruth B. Swann Park.

For more information, please call the Parks office at 301-932-3470.

There are 4 Senior Centers in Charles County: LaPlata, Waldorf, Indian Head, and Nanjemoy. For addresses, contact information, and hours of operation visit the Department of Community Services or contact Centers Administrator at 301-934-0117, cookem@charlescounty.org.

LOCATE Childcare will assist families with finding child care at no charge. Their phone number is 301-290-0045 or toll-free 1-866-290-0045.

The County's website.

The County's website.

All information can be found on the Service Line Assurance Initiative webpage: www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/SLAI.

Flu shots are usually available through the Charles County Department of Health. You can contact them for further information at 301-609-6900.

VanGO Schedules and Maps 

Schedule booklets are available at local libraries and Senior Centers. You may also call the Transit Division at 301-645-0642 and request a schedule be mailed to you.

Contact Charles County Department of Community Services 301-934-9305.

The Department of Social Services 301-392-6400

Southern Maryland Food Bank 301-737-0662 or 301-274-0695

Charles County Health Department 301-609-6900

It can typically be seen where it enters your home in the basement or crawl space.

For any questions on youth or adult indoor sports programs, please visit our website or call the Recreation office at 301-934-9305 ext. 5152.

Click here for information to pay online. 

Click here for locations to pay in person.

Charles County Parks offers numerous youth and adult outdoor sports throughout the year. For any questions on these programs, please visit our website or call the Parks office at 301-932-3470.

For a Business License, you can contact the Land Records Office located in the Charles County Court House at 301-932-3236.

Please mail water/sewer billing payments or correspondence to the following address:

Charles County Government
Water/Sewer Billing
P.O. Box 1630
La Plata, MD 20646

For potholes and/or vandalism on County-maintained roads and right-of-ways (ROW), please call the Roads Division at 301-932-3450. Privately owned roads and State roads (numbered roads such as Rt. 301, Rt. 5, Rt. 6, Rt. 228, etc.) are not maintained by the Roads Division. To report a problem on a State road, please call the State Highway Administration (SHA) at 301-934-8031.

To report debris within a county maintained right-of-way, please call the Division of Environmental Resources at 301-932-3599. Litter on State maintained roads (Rt. 301, Rt. 6, Rt. 5, Rt. 228, etc.) should be reported to the State Highway Administration at 301-934-8031.

Debris in a County-maintained roadway (named roads with no number) or within County right-of-ways should be reported to the Division of Environmental Resources at 301-932-3599. For numbered roads, contact the State Highway Administration at 301-934-8031.

VanGO public bus routes operate in Waldorf, LaPlata, Indian Head, Nanjemoy, and Newburg. Also, the Waldorf to Charlotte Hall Route provides service in the Hughesville/Charlotte Hall area along Route 5. VanGO specialized services provide transportation anywhere in Charles County but the service is limited and available only to senior citizens or persons with disabilities (except for Medical Assistance transportation).

Economic Development is located at 3670 Leonardtown Road, Suite 106, Waldorf, Maryland 20601. Our telephone number is 301-885-1340.

In most cases, your meter is installed in your utility room or in a meter crock outside your home.

The Charles County Landfill, located at 12305 Billingsley Road in Waldorf, is open Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m - 4:00 p.m. The landfill recycling center and the Tag-A-Bag program remain available until 5:00 p.m.

Crain Memorial Welcome Center
12480 Crain Highway Newburg, MD 20664 301-259-2500

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Daily 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

Purchasing is located in Room B-130 in the Government Building at 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646.

The Tourism Office is located at 12480 Crain Highway, Newburg, MD 20664. Our telephone number is 301-259-2500.

Dead animals that are on County roadways (road with a name and no number) and right-of-ways will be removed by the Roads Division who can be contacted at 301-932-3450. If the animal is on a numbered road, contact the State Highway Administration at 301-934-8031.

Bensville, Cobb Island, Gilbert Run*, Laurel Springs, Oak Ridge, Pisgah, Southern, Robert D. Stethem*, Ruth B. Swann and White Plains are all parks that have playgrounds. * Seasonal hours.

A list of Charles County's major employers may be viewed at our website.

Please contact the Department of Community Services at 301-934-9305 or the Department of Social Services 301-392-6400.

Contact the Citizen Request Coordinator at 301-932-3454.

Smoking concerns and issues at County facilities are handled by Joane Gulvas, Safety Officer, at 301-645-0687.

Charles County only rents hydrant meters to licensed contractors. Please visit our Hydrant Meters page for more information.

VanGO is for everybody. Vehicles are wheelchair accessible so persons with disabilities can take advantage of the service as well as anyone else needing transportation within Charles County or to St. Mary's County. VanGO has a public transportation route which meets the St. Mary's Transit System in Charlotte Hall.

The Buildings & Trades Division should be contacted for any concerns regarding temperature in a County facility. Please call 301-932-3490 for additional information.

Please contact the Notary Commission at 410-974-5520.

All questions regarding doors and locks should be forwarded to the Buildings & Trades Division at 301-932-3490.

Contact the Roads Division at 301-932-3450 to report a damaged or blocked culvert pipe that is preventing proper drainage. An on-site determination will be made whether or not to repair or replace a culvert pipe that is within the County's right-of -way. Residents are responsible for removal of leaves and general debris.

The Clerk to the Electrical Board can be contacted by calling 301-645-0633 or by email at cceb@charlescountymd.gov.

Please contact the Department of Community Services at 301-934-9305 or the Department of Social Services at 301-392-6400.

Please contact Risk Management 301-645-0564.

For the on-site program at the Department of Community Services building in Port Tobacco, please call 301-934-0104 or 301-870-3388, ext. 5104. For the Before and After School Child Care program located in all 21 elementary schools in Charles County, please call 301-632-6804.

The Division of Animal Control Services. The administrative office can be reached at 301-609-3425 or after hours at 301-743-2222.

If in the Town of Indian Head, call 301-743-5511. If in the Town of La Plata, call 301-934-8421. For all other areas of the County, during normal business hours (8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.), call the Charles County Department of Health at 301-609-6751 or after business hours call the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222.

In order to be eligible for health insurance with Charles County Government, you must by employed with the County and working 25 hours or more per week.

If the tenant refuses to pay...We will cut off the water 10 days after the due date or date listed on the Penalty Notice.  If still not paid, the landlord will receive a notice stating if the tenant does not pay or we do not hear form the landlord a lien will be placed on the property.

Sewer Accounts: Since we are unable to disconnect sewer, if the tenant refuses to pay after the Penalty Notice has been sent, the landlord will receive a lien notice, same as above.

The Buildings & Trades Division maintains signs at/within County government buildings. Please call 301-932-3490 for additional information.

The Roads Division is responsible for snow removal on County-maintained roadways. Privately owned roads and state roads (numbered roads such as Rt. 301, Rt. 5, Rt. 6, Rt. 228, etc.) are not maintained by the Roads Division. For additional information regarding State roads, please call the State Highway Administration (SHA) at 301-934-8031.

Street lights are installed by private property owners or homeowner's associations. The County does not install or maintain street lights.

If an existing street sign from a County-maintained road (road with a name and no number) is missing, damaged, or has been vandalized, please contact the Roads Division at 301-932-3450. If the sign is on a numbered road, contact the State Highway Administration at 301-934-8031.

Traffic lights are maintained by the State Highway Administration (SHA). All traffic light concerns should be reported by calling 410-787-7650 or 410-582-5650 (24-hour emergency hotline).

The Roads Division removes tree limbs and fallen trees within County right-of-ways. No trees are removed from private property. Please contact the Roads Division at 301-932-3450 to report any visual impairment areas.

Flags (American, State, and County) are maintained by the Buildings & Trades Division. Please call 301-932-3490 for additional information.

Roads Division employees and County contractors mow grass on County-maintained roadways (roads with names and no number).  For a numbered road, contact the State Highway Administration at 301-934-8031. County roads are generally mowed three times during mowing season. Please contact the Roads Division at 301-932-3450 to report any visual impairment areas.

In Charles County, trash service is not paid through taxes and, therefore, residents contract on an individual basis for service (if not provided through home owner's association). Listings of haulers can be found under the word "rubbish" in the Yellow Pages.

The Parks & Grounds Division is responsible for maintenance of County parking lots and sidewalks. Please call 301-932-3470 for additional information.

Contact the Department of Public Facilities at 301-932-3440 for "named" roads and the State Highway Administration at 301-934-8031 for "numbered" roads.

The County has contracted with a third party service, Meridian Financial Management of Millersville, Maryland, to handle the billing.

Reports of over-flowing toilets, leaky sinks, etc. should be made to Buildings & Trades at 301-932-3490.

For power outages in all County buildings, please contact Buildings & Trades at 301-932-3490.

For questions or to report ADA concerns, please contact the Buildings & Trades Division 301-932-3490.

The Roads Division inspects and prioritizes sidewalks for annual repair. To report a damaged sidewalk, please call 301-932-3450.

Taxes are based on the property's assessed value. While the assessed value of your property may increase, the amount of taxes you pay are capped at 7% due to the Homestead Tax Credit.

We cannot make a new landlord responsible for the tenant's previous bills at another property. We do not ask for driver's license or social security numbers which would enable us to track the tenant. We do not collect deposits. The owner of the property is responsible for the water and sewer bills.

Tax bills are sent directly to the homeowners. It is the homeowners responsibility to then forward the bill on to their lending institution.

Health screenings are key to protecting you and your co-workers from exposure. Additionally, even if you think you don’t have COVID-19, it may help allay anxiety if everyone coming into the office has been screened prior to entry.

One is a "curb box" for use by authorized County personnel to turn your water on and off. The other is a "clean-out" which is an entry point into the sewer service that permits County staff to clear the line of any obstruction.

A building permit is your assurance that your building or structure has been reviewed and inspected for compliance with minimum building codes, zoning ordinance and environmental requirements. By obtaining a building permit, you are helping to ensure that all structures and buildings are safe, sound and worthy of the investment they represent. In addition, a building permit with inspections completed and approved is a necessity in most cases for any insurance claim in regard to a structure fire or structural concerns.

The change-out program is an effort to improve the speed and efficiency with which water meters can be read, without sacrificing accuracy. Our customer base is constantly growing but our meter reading staff remains the same size.Without a growth in meter reading staff, the perfect solution to ensure continued accuracy in billing is the use of a technology that allows a meter reader to remotely scan the meters, versus having to manually read and record the meter.This improves the speed and efficiency of the process without a reduction in accuracy.

How does the Charles County Water Meter Change-out Program operate?

1. Under our meter change-out program, which began in February 2013, we have changed out approximately 6,000 meters.
2. In each case, we proactively notify customers in writing that we need to change out their meter.This notice is hand-delivered by our staff.
3. The notice requires our customer to call us at 301-609-7400 to schedule an appointment so that you are fully aware of the date, time, and when to expect us.
4. On the agreed upon date/time, we will provide appropriate identification as a Charles County employee of the Department of Public Works, Utilities Division. If a person does not have the appropriate identification, do not let him/her enter your home.
5. There is no need to call us unless you have received your notice, as we have a very specific schedule and plan of action.
6. The change-out program is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

When the initial review is complete a comment letter detailing any deficiencies will be generated and made available on your Citizen Self Service Portal in “Supporting Documents”. The comment letter details what needs to be addressed prior to re-submitting any documents for further reviews.

Water accounts are tied to the deed in Charles County, therefore if a tenant defaults on the water bill for a particular address the responsibility falls to the owner of that property. Also, the owner's name never completely comes off the account, it remains on the account and is listed as an investment property. The owner is the responsible party and should the tenant default, we are required to have them give us written permission for the tenant to receive bills as well as make any payment arrangements. They will receive copies of past due notices to forewarn them of the possibility that the water is scheduled for disconnect due to non-payment.

When entering your address enter the street number and name only. Then click on the magnifying glass to search. Do not add a suffix such as Road, Street, Drive, Avenue, etc. You do not need to add the city or zip code.

The portion of the water service line between your water meter or curb stop and your home was not installed by Charles County, so there is limited information about the material used. The LCRR requires an inventory of the entire service line, including the portion owned by the customer. By verifying the material of your service line, you are helping to comply with the regulation and identify any outdated service line materials.

The Fire/EMS Tax funds are available for the volunteer fire department/EMS companies' equipment and facilities. The new transport fees are a way of obtaining financial reimbursement for the cost of providing medically necessary ambulance transportation. Medicaid, Medicare, and most other private insurance policies (health, auto, homeowner) already allow for reimbursement for this service. Charles County is implementing this program to seek reimbursement of these funds that will help supplement some of the operational expenses for providing emergency medical services while giving some relief to the general fund and ultimately the taxpayer.

The sewer fee is based on the amount of water that flows through your meter. We do not adjust for watering lawns, filling pools, washing cars, or leaks. Submeters are not available to water lawns.

No experience or training is necessary before playing, it’s fun for the whole family and it provides great exercise. FootGolf does not require a lot of equipment – only a soccer ball per player is needed. It’s a terrific way to enjoy the outdoors, either as an individual or with a group of friends. Like most sports, FootGolf can be competitive or purely recreational.

The County buildings cleaned by Public Works will follow recommendations from the CDC and the enhanced cleaning protocols as outlined in the Upgraded Cleaning Protocols SOP. Employees should also clean their own work spaces regularly, especially the ‘frequent touch spots’ in their own areas (keyboard, phone, etc).

No. The ability to pay will NEVER be considered when rendering emergency service in Charles County. The ambulance will be dispatched as appropriate regardless of ability to pay.

No, compensation will not be provided in exchange for an easement.

No, compensation will not be provided in exchange for an easement.

No. A payment will NOT be expected at the time of transport, and all persons will be transported regardless of insurance coverage or their ability to pay.

No. Personal information will not be shared. Only public information regarding your service line material will be published to the Service Line Assurance Initiative webpage and submitted to MDE. This information includes the verified service line material, date of construction, and physical address. Responses will only be used for the purpose of complying with the LCRR.

Should your service line need to be replaced, there will be a temporary interruption in service. Workers will try to minimize the duration of the interruption as the new service is installed.

Replacement is only necessary only if one of the following conditions are met:

• The service line was constructed with lead
• The service line is galvanized and downstream of a service line with unknown material
• If the service line is galvanized and is either currently, or was previously, downstream of a lead service line

No, provided that your plumbing is installed and functioning properly, and provided "traps" are filled with water. Drains that are used frequently should be okay. If you are not sure, simply run water down the drain for a minute to ensure that the trap is not dry. It is important to locate dry traps as they could allow sewer gases to enter the home. Dry traps are most commonly found in basement floor drains that are used only during rare flood events or in unused fixtures. Please thoroughly check your home.

No. The program does not impact the cost of water.

Call the Office of Tourism at 301-259-2500 for a Sponsorship Application.