Wicomico County Local Guide

Your Guide to Settling In

View Your Guide to Settling Into Wicomico 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 utility providers for your exact address, including water or sewer, and arrange transfers. Check internet availability before scheduling installation.
• Confirm trash and recycling arrangements with your municipality, landlord, HOA or hauler. Save the schedule and check county drop off rules if needed.
• Register for Wicomico CivicReady emergency alerts or update your existing address and contact preferences.

Use the steps that apply to your move. Confirm jurisdiction, provider coverage and any landlord or community arrangements with official sources.

Settling in sources reviewed 10/17/2026

Find the Right Office

First confirm whether the property is inside a municipality or in an unincorporated area. Salisbury and the county’s other cities and towns remain within Wicomico County, but municipal services and approvals can differ. A postal address alone does not establish jurisdiction.

Start with county Planning and Zoning for county project questions, and contact the relevant municipality about its own permits, utilities, taxes and collection services. Delmar straddles the state line, so confirm that the address is on the Maryland side.

• County Planning and Zoning
• Local Government and Resident Links
• Salisbury Infrastructure and Development

Set Up Utilities and Care for Septic Systems

Confirm electric, gas, water and sewer service from the exact address and existing account records. Public utility service is not countywide, and water and sewer coverage should be checked separately.

Salisbury Water Works operates the city’s public water and sewer systems. Other municipalities have their own contacts, while many properties depend on private wells and septic systems. Environmental Health handles well and onsite sewage approvals and inspections.

• Salisbury Water and Sewer
• Municipal Contacts
• Private Wells and Septic Systems

Internet Access

Check broadband availability at the exact address and unit, then confirm installation and service terms with the provider. Compare upload speeds, equipment charges and installation timing rather than relying on a general coverage map.

Public libraries provide another starting point for reading, technology and learning. Ask the branch about the services and equipment available for your particular needs.

• FCC Broadband Map
• Current Library Locations

Recycling and Household Waste

Confirm collection arrangements with the municipality, landlord, HOA or private hauler for the actual address. Keep those routes separate from the county’s landfill and convenience center system.

Wicomico operates Newland Park Landfill and household drop off facilities. The county’s recycling guidance distinguishes household garbage permits from recycling containers that do not require a permit. Check current accepted materials, eligibility and disposal rules before loading the car.

• County Solid Waste
• Recycling and Permit Guidance
• Salisbury Resident Services

Find Property Records and Tax Bills

Use Maryland SDAT for assessment information and the property account identifier. Wicomico County Finance handles county real estate tax bills, while municipal charges may require a separate check.

Recorded deeds and other land records are separate from assessments. Use the state land records guide for the appropriate records, and do not treat tax maps as a substitute for a survey.

• Maryland Property Search
• County Tax Bills and Payments
• Maryland Land Records Guide

Find Tax Information and Relief

Maryland’s Homestead and Homeowners’ tax credits have different eligibility and application rules. Review the current state guidance rather than assuming a credit transfers automatically with a move.

County Finance also lists local credit information, including the Heroes Act program for qualifying first responders or surviving spouses. Confirm qualifications and deadlines with the administering office and check the eventual bill adjustment.

• Maryland Homestead Credit
• Maryland Homeowners’ Credit
• County Tax and Credit Information

Plan a Renovation

Gather the plat or survey, earlier permits and any well or septic records before finalizing plans. Ask the responsible planning office about setbacks, floodplain rules, Critical Area restrictions and other site requirements.

Municipal review and private HOA or condominium approvals are separate matters. For a property with a private well or septic system, contact Environmental Health early about additions, site work or changes in use.

• County Planning and Zoning
• Well and Septic Guidance
• Salisbury Project Review

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

The county permit office provides residential and commercial forms, plan requirements, trade permits and inspection information. Confirm the full approval path for the property and project before work starts.

The county specifically issues electrical permits for work in both unincorporated areas and municipalities. Other municipal approvals may still apply, so do not assume one permit replaces every required review. Retain inspection results and final approvals.

• County Permits and Inspections
• Salisbury Permitting Contacts

Repair and Housing Assistance

The county Housing Rehabilitation Program provides grants and loan funding for qualifying owner occupied properties, including general repairs and lead abatement. Funding availability, income rules and waitlists differ by program.

Ask Community Development which program fits the property before starting work or assuming reimbursement. The county also lists counseling and housing partners that may help residents understand other options.

• County Housing Rehabilitation and Partners

Check a Contractor

Use the Maryland Home Improvement Commission’s official resources to verify a home improvement contractor’s current license and business identity. Confirm any separate trade licensing and permit responsibilities with the relevant office.

Ask for a clear written scope, payment schedule, insurance information and responsibility for changes. Keep agreements, receipts and final inspection approvals together. A license number on an advertisement is not a substitute for checking its status.

• Maryland Home Improvement Commission

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