Living Here

From getting settled to caring for your home, find the right starting point for the task in front of you.

Settling In

A practical start for renters and homeowners. Work through the short checklist, then find more detail about the services at your address.

Your Guide to Settling In

View Your Guide to Settling Into Calvert County (PDF) (opens in a new tab)A helpful, print friendly checklist for your move by LizyTylerCo · www.lizytylerco.com

Request USPS mail forwarding online or at a Post Office, and confirm the start date.
Update your address with important accounts and contacts, including banks, insurers, your employer and relevant agencies.
Update applicable Maryland license or ID and vehicle addresses. Moving from another state? Follow the new resident process.
If eligible, register or update your voter address and confirm the change.
Confirm electric and water or sewer providers and arrange needed transfers. Check internet availability for your address.
Arrange trash pickup with your town, community or private hauler if needed. Confirm recycling pickup or find your county drop off location.
Sign up for Calvert County Alert, or update your registration with current contact details for emergency notifications.

Use the steps that apply to your move. Confirm your address’s jurisdiction, provider coverage and any landlord or community arrangements. Check official sources for current requirements.

Settling in sources reviewed 10/17/2026

Find the Right Office

Confirm whether your property lies inside the incorporated Town of Chesapeake Beach or Town of North Beach. A postal place name is not enough to establish municipal boundaries.

Calvert County directs owners in these municipalities to check town requirements before submitting a county permit application. Confirm town utilities, tax charges, and waste service arrangements separately where applicable.

Set Up Utilities and Care for Septic Systems

SMECO serves most of Calvert County, not every address. Confirm the electric utility using the property’s existing service information and verify the account setup directly with the provider.

Water and sewer may be provided by the county, a municipality, another community system, or private well and septic facilities. Ask the county Water & Sewerage Division about county service. Use the town departments for Chesapeake Beach or North Beach properties. Confirm water and sewer independently, along with connection status, account transfer, and applicable charges.

Private Wells and Septic Systems

For private wells, use Calvert County Health Department’s well water resources for testing, permitting, and water quality questions. Keep recent test results and well construction information with the property file.

For septic systems, collect permits, inspection reports, pumping records, and any approved layout or replacement area information. Ask Environmental Health before adding bedrooms, expanding the house, changing the site, or repairing the system. Its septic resources explain reviews and link to homeowner guidance and Bay Restoration Fund information.

Internet Access

Calvert County’s broadband page provides Comcast/Xfinity service extension information and a buildout map. Use it as a starting point, then confirm directly whether the exact address can receive service now.

Ask about installation dates, any extension costs, upload and download speeds, equipment, and total monthly charges. If wired service is unavailable, ask providers about address qualified alternatives. Availability and performance must be confirmed individually. Buildout plans do not guarantee an activation date.

Calvert broadband resources and extension map (opens in a new tab)

Recycling and Household Waste

Calvert’s Solid Waste & Recycling division maintains convenience center and Appeal Landfill information, material rules, recycling guidance, and bulk item options. Check the current location, hours, residency requirements, and fees before making a trip.

Some materials require a particular facility. The county lists furniture, mattresses, and refrigerant appliances among items routed to Appeal Landfill. Confirm curbside service separately with your town, community, or private hauler rather than assuming it is included.

Owning & Improving a Home

Keep these resources close when you need property information, help caring for your home or a starting point for a project.

Find Property Records and Tax Bills

Start with Maryland SDAT’s Real Property Data Search. Select your county, search your address, and save the property account identifier. Review ownership, assessment information, and Homestead application status. County tax bills and permit records are separate records. Check those too.

Keep your closing statement, survey or plat, permits, and utility account information together. A mailing address alone does not establish municipal boundaries or utility service.

The County Treasurer’s office links to property tax bills, payment history, and current payment instructions. Review the full bill, including special charges, and reconcile escrow payments if a mortgage servicer pays your taxes.

Calvert’s property tax relief page explains its supplemental Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit and other programs. The state and county supplemental homeowner credits use the same state application. Other credits, exemptions, or refunds may have separate rules. Ask the administering office to confirm eligibility and whether an approved adjustment appears on your bill.

For recorded deeds and related records, use the Maryland Courts land records guide (opens in a new tab). A tax record alone does not resolve ownership, easement, or boundary questions. Seek appropriate professional advice when interpretation is needed.

Find Tax Information and Relief

Maryland’s Homestead Property Tax Credit limits qualifying increases in taxable assessment for an eligible principal residence. Check the application status on your SDAT record and follow the state’s instructions if an application is needed.

The income based Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit is a different program and requires an annual application. Review the current rules and filing deadline with SDAT. Approval is not automatic. Check local credits separately, and confirm the amount actually due rather than assuming a pending application changes your bill.

Plan a Renovation

Write down the complete project scope before requesting estimates. Gather your survey or plat, existing permits, and any well or septic records. Ask the permitting office about setbacks, zoning, environmental constraints, and reviews that could affect the design.

Check any HOA or condominium approval process separately. Build time for permits, inspections, and changes into your schedule, and do not assume a contractor’s estimate includes every approval or fee.

Calvert permit requirements and application options (opens in a new tab)

Put your goals, priorities, questions and next steps in one place.View Home Project Planning Sheet (PDF) (opens in a new tab)To keep completed entries, save a copy with your changes using the PDF viewer’s controls.

Understand Permits and Inspections

Use the county’s ‘Do I Need a Permit?’ resource to identify your property and type of work. Ask Inspections & Permits which approvals and inspections apply before construction, remodeling, grading, or other site changes.

The county offers its Encompass portal through the permit page. If your property is in North Beach or Chesapeake Beach, start with the town’s requirements too. Projects involving wells, septic systems, shoreline areas, or significant site changes may need additional review. Keep final approvals with your home records.

Repair and Housing Assistance

If mortgage payments are becoming difficult, use Maryland DHCD’s foreclosure prevention resources to find an approved housing counselor. Contact your servicer early and keep all notices and deadlines.

For repairs, accessibility needs, or energy saving improvements, explore DHCD’s homeowner programs. For heating or electric bill assistance, start with Maryland’s Office of Home Energy Programs. Each program has its own eligibility, application process, and funding availability. Assistance is not guaranteed.

Check a Contractor

Use the Maryland Home Improvement Commission’s official license status tool to check the contractor’s name, business, and current license. A number printed on a truck or estimate is not a substitute for verification.

Ask for a written scope, payment schedule, insurance information, and responsibility for permits and inspections. Confirm any separate trade license requirements with the permitting office. Keep the signed agreement, approved changes, receipts, and final inspection records.

MHIC contractor license checks and consumer resources (opens in a new tab)

Keep useful questions and conversation notes together as you compare your options.View Questions Before Hiring a Contractor (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

General information to help you find the right starting point. Requirements, eligibility, service areas, and application processes can change. Confirm details with the office or provider serving your exact address. Official links open in a new tab. Found a broken link or a changed office? Contact LizyTylerCo and include “Calvert County Guide,” the link name, and what happened. Return to All Resources.