Howard County, Maryland

Howard County Local Guide

Settling In Guide

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 Howard County (PDF) A helpful, print friendly checklist for your move by LizyTylerCo · www.lizytylerco.com

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

Find the Right Office

Howard County has no incorporated towns or cities. Columbia and Ellicott City are not separate municipal governments. Start with Howard County for county permits and public services, while confirming that the property actually lies within the county.

Columbia Association, village associations, HOAs and condominium associations may have separate responsibilities and property covenants. Their approvals do not replace county approvals. Postal names such as Laurel or Ellicott City can cross jurisdictional boundaries.

Set Up Utilities and Care for Septic Systems

Confirm electric and gas providers from the property’s service records, and arrange transfers directly with the provider. Confirm water and sewer independently. County public utility service does not reach every home.

The Bureau of Utilities manages Howard County’s public water and wastewater systems. For private systems, the Health Department’s Well and Septic Program handles installation and repair review. Collect permits, testing and pumping records before a move or home addition.

Internet Access

Check internet availability for the exact address directly with providers. Ask about installation timing, equipment, upload speeds and the total ongoing charge, not only an introductory offer.

The county Cable Administration office provides provider and consumer information, but it does not regulate internet service. Use its guidance to distinguish cable complaints from broadband issues and available referral routes.

Recycling and Household Waste

Confirm collection days and services using the county’s address resources. Howard County provides curbside trash collection to residences paying its yearly trash and recycling fee, but do not assume the same arrangement applies to every apartment, condominium or business.

Ask the property manager about private arrangements where needed. Review bulk pickup rules and Alpha Ridge Landfill’s accepted materials before setting items out or driving to a drop off site.

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

Look up the property through Maryland SDAT and save its account identifier. Review ownership, assessment and Homestead status, then use Howard County’s tax resources for the actual bill and payment information.

Keep deeds, plats, closing documents and utility records together. For property subject to Columbia Association covenants, review the separate annual charge as well as county taxes and any other association charges.

Find Tax Information and Relief

Maryland’s Homestead Property Tax Credit and income based Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit serve different purposes. Check SDAT’s current requirements and application status.

Howard County offers additional property tax credits with separate eligibility and renewal rules. Use the current county application rather than assuming a credit renews automatically. Check your tax account after approval.

Plan a Renovation

Collect the survey, existing permits and any well or septic records before designing changes. Ask county staff about zoning, setbacks, historic district review, stormwater and other site constraints.

If the home has village, HOA or condominium covenants, check its exterior alteration process separately. Confirm the complete scope, permit responsibility and final inspection requirements in contractor proposals.

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

Understand Permits and Inspections

Howard County’s Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits provides permit guidance and the online Citizen Access portal. Identify the full project scope before choosing an application type.

Building, trade and site work may require different approvals. Ask which inspections apply and retain final approvals. Do not assume that prior work, an association approval or a contractor’s availability establishes permission to begin.

Repair and Housing Assistance

The Reinvest Renovate Restore program offers rehabilitation loans to eligible Howard County homeowners. Review the current rules for occupancy, income, approved work and repayment before relying on assistance.

This is not an automatic grant or reimbursement for completed work. Ask the housing department about approval, loan security and any sale or occupancy consequences before committing to a project. Its resource page also links to other repair and weatherization programs.

Check a Contractor

Verify the contractor’s active Maryland license and whether it covers the proposed work. Check separate trade licensing when needed and confirm insurance and references.

Get a written scope explaining materials, payments, permits and inspections. An association’s approval or a contractor’s license is not a substitute for a required county permit.

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

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 “Howard County Guide,” the link name, and what happened. Return to All Resources.