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 St. Mary’s 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.
Confirm trash and recycling arrangements with your town, community or hauler. If you use county drop off sites, save the nearest location and its rules.
Join St. Mary’s County Regroup, or update your profile with your new address and preferred contact methods.

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 the property is inside the incorporated Town of Leonardtown. A Leonardtown mailing address does not by itself establish town residency. Town services and permitting can differ from the surrounding county.

For county land use and project questions, start with Land Use & Growth Management. If the property is in town, also consult Leonardtown before planning work or arranging service.

Set Up Utilities and Care for Septic Systems

SMECO serves St. Mary’s County. Confirm service at your exact address, the start date, and any account requirements before moving.

MetCom operates public water and wastewater systems serving parts of the county. Ask whether the parcel has water, sewer, both, or neither, and confirm billing and any connection related charges. For properties served by Leonardtown, use the town’s water, sewer, and trash resources. A nearby public line does not establish that a home is connected. Some homes use private wells or septic systems.

Private Wells and Septic Systems

For a private well, keep construction and water testing records and ask the county Health Department about testing and replacement requirements. Its water monitoring resources include residential well certification.

For septic, collect system permits, an as built plan if available, pumping records, and inspection reports. Consult Environmental Health before additions, bedroom changes, major site work, or a repair that could affect the system or its replacement area. Ask about current Bay Restoration Fund assistance where relevant.

Internet Access

The county’s broadband resources identify Breezeline, Comcast/Xfinity, ThinkBig, and Verizon Fios operating or expanding in different areas. This is not a promise that any one provider serves your home.

Use the county availability lookup, then confirm directly with the provider that service is orderable at your address. Ask about installation timing, equipment, total recurring charges, and upload speeds. A planned buildout or a nearby connection is not an active service commitment.

Recycling and Household Waste

Use the county’s Recycling & Solid Waste page for convenience center locations, accepted materials, hours, stickers and fees, household hazardous waste, and bulk item options. Check the rules for your specific material before loading a vehicle.

Confirm whether your address has municipal, community arranged, or private collection. Leonardtown publishes its own trash and recycling information and holiday changes. Do not assume a county tax charge includes curbside collection.

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.

Use the Treasurer’s official tax bill lookup to review your account, payment information, and outstanding charges. If your mortgage company pays through escrow, reconcile the county record with your mortgage statement.

The Treasurer’s office also provides information on local tax credits, including programs for qualifying older homeowners. Check the current application and eligibility requirements directly. Age alone does not establish eligibility.

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.

Permits and inspections through LUGM (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

Contact Land Use & Growth Management before an addition, deck, accessory structure, major renovation, or other property change. Explain the full scope, including grading, shoreline work, or changes affecting a well or septic system, so staff can identify required reviews.

Use the county’s eTRAKiT portal to find property related permits and check status. Ask which inspections are required, who schedules them, and what final approval you should retain. Inside Leonardtown, confirm town requirements as well.

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 “St. Mary’s County Guide,” the link name, and what happened. Return to All Resources.