Frequently Asked Questions

Applications are accepted only for positions that are being advertised. You must submit a separate Calvert County Government Employment Application for each position you are interested in when advertised, even those with the same title. Applications are available online; you may request assistance completing an online application from the Department of Human Resources. All applicants must complete an application form and respond to the supplemental questions. Other supporting information may be attached. Applications must be submitted online.

You may telephone our office at 410-535-1600, ext. 2359, fax to 410-414-5617, or use the Maryland Relay for Impaired Hearing or Speech 1-800-735-2258 Statewide Toll Free. You may email our office at recruitment@calvertcountymd.gov. Our location is Community Resources Building, 184A Main St., Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Available positions are advertised on this website, the County's Facebook page, and on cable television (Channel 6) and occasionally other publications. 

Applicants are notified via email. We notify applicants as to whether they will or will not be interviewed. Once interviews are held, we will notify those that are not selected. The applicant recommended for hire will receive an offer letter from the Director of Human Resources. Please feel free to call the Department of Human Resources at 410-535-1600, ext. 2359 regarding the status of your application or check the status of your application online. We cannot be responsible for receipt of your U.S. mail or email. Please feel free to contact us if you do not receive any notification you are expecting within a reasonable amount of time.

The Calvert County Purchasing Office is responsible for procuring commodities and services required by Calvert County Government. The Department of Public Works, the Capital Projects Coordinator and the Purchasing Office administer the procurement of professional services and major construction for capital projects.

Calvert County Government uses eMaryland Marketplace, the State of Maryland bidding website, to bring you more efficient and effective bidding and procurement opportunities. The Purchasing Office is located at 131 Main Street, Suite 100, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678. Please contact 410-535-1600.

Visit Maryland Business Express to find out if you need a license and how to apply.

A trader’s license is required for buying and re-selling goods. To find more information about how to obtain a trader’s license, visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Calvert County’s website.

The department can assist in finding available properties throughout the county. Visit our property search website or contact us at 410-535-4583 or info@choosecalvert.com.

The Board of License Commissioners, also known as the Liquor Board, provides information on how to apply, related documents and a meeting schedule.

The Department of Economic Development provides many services to support the local business community. Some include online business resources, marketing assistance, an ombudsman program and training and workshops. We can also provide reports on commercial properties, demographics and workforce statistics. Call 410-535-4583 or email info@choosecalvert.com for details. The department also works with many resource partners, such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to provide additional support. Our SBDC business counselor provides free, confidential, one-on-one business counseling. To arrange an appointment, call 240-585-2084.

The department can help arrange a ribbon cutting. Call us at 410-535-4583 or email us at info@choosecalvert.com. 

The county publishes several electronic newsletters available via email.

The department administers the Calvert County Economic Development Loan Fund, an alternative funding source for Calvert County businesses. Information on other funding sources can be obtained by contacting our office at 410-535-4583 or info@choosecalvert.com.

The county maintains a list of its major employers.

On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, the Department of Economic Development offers an array of services to the business community. Presently, the county has a variety of incentives for new and expanding business. They include business counseling services, online business resource guides, training programs and financing assistance through the Calvert County Incentive Fund and the Calvert County Economic Development Loan Fund. 

The Economic Development website has a host of information about the county, including demographics, economic facts and more.

Calvert County Parks & Recreation Ordinance - Chapter 82 Calvert County Code

There are several options for registration: Online: If you are an existing household with CCPR, online registration is available to you through WEBTRAC. Phone: Call the Main Office at 410-535-1600, 2225 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. or the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center at 410-414-8350 Mondays through Friday from 6:15 am to 8:45 p.m., Saturdays from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., and Sundays from 8:15 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and register over the phone with a Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit/debit card. Walk in: Walk in registration will be taken at the following locations during normal hours of operation; Mt. Hope Community Center, Northeast Community Center, Southern Community Center, the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center and the Parks and Recreation Main Office. Note: Registration for minors (under 18 years of age) requires adult authorization and input.

Yes, visitors to Calvert County recreation and nature parks can recycle their plastic, glass and aluminum bottles and cans by placing them in blue bins adjacent to trash cans at each site.

Applicants may call the Election Board office to request a Voter Registration Application or come into the office to complete one in person. They may also obtain an application from any post office or library in the county, the Social Services office, or the MVA. Persons with a valid Maryland driver’s license or identification card may register online. Applications must be received three weeks before each election. Additionally, there is a same day registration option during early voting and on election day. For more information, go to the State Board of Elections Voter Registration. 

No. As long as you keep your address current with your local election office, you will remain a registered voter in Maryland.

The voter registration deadline is 3 weeks before each election. New applications must be either hand-delivered, entered online, or mailed no later than 3 weeks before the election (must have valid postmark). Voters who are already registered and need to submit a change request (name, address, party, etc.) also have the option to fax the signed request to 410-535-5009. Change your voter information.

Go to the Voter Services website, or call the election office at 410-535-2214.

Lists of potential jurors are pulled from both voter registration and MVA records; therefore, anyone with a driver's license or MVA-issued Maryland ID card is eligible to be called for jury duty even if they are not registered to vote.

Go to the Voter Services website, or call the election office at 410-535-2214.

All voters in Calvert County may vote at any one of the three Early Voting Centers: 

- Community Resources Building, 30 Duke St, Prince Frederick

- Southern Community Center, 20 Appeal Ln, Lusby

- Ward Farm Park, 10455 Ward Rd, Dunkirk

Voting hours are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day.

No. Polling places are assigned based on where each voter resides. Voting outside of your district or precinct may cause your vote to not be counted. However, during the Early Voting period, all eligible voters may vote at any of the three  Early Voting Centers in the County.

Maryland polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The optimal voting hours are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

No. Any requests to change voter registration records must be received 3 weeks before the election. Maryland's top two political parties, in their bylaws, declare who can vote in their primary election. A voter who insists on voting a different party ballot will be required to complete a provisional application and ballot. Then after the election, office staff will research to determine if a request was received before the deadline or if a clerical mistake was made. If neither situation applies, the ballot will be rejected. In any event, the voter will receive credit for voting. Note: In a General Election, all voters may vote for any candidate, regardless of political affiliation.

You may view a copy of the ballot by entering your voter data on the voter services website and then clicking the link on the next page that appears.

Yes, provided the voter signs the Designation of Agent Form which authorizes the Election Board to give their ballot to you to take to them. For the voter's protection, the ballot will not be released without the properly executed Agent Form, which is available at the election office and online. See below for the necessary steps. 

1. The agent picks up or downloads a Mail In Ballot Application as well as the Designation of Agent form. 

2. The agent returns the voter's application and agent form in person after the voter has signed both forms. If properly completed and signed, the ballot will then be given to the agent to hand carry to the voter. 

3. The voter's ballot may be returned in person by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day or by mail, bearing a postmark on Election Day.

NO. Mail in ballots are always counted, regardless of the outcome. However, a ballot may be rejected and not counted if the voter does not sign the oath on the return envelope.

In general, campaign signs fall under the purview of Free Speech. The Calvert County Election Board has no regulatory authority over the location of campaign signs except at polling places, early voting sites and ballot drop boxes. Signs at these areas can go up after 5pm the day before the site opens and must be taken down by 8am the day after the election (§ 10-101(a)(3)(iii) of the Election Law Article ).  

The State Highway Administration (SHA) prohibits any and all signs in the State's right-of-way. For more information, visit www.roads.maryland.gov or call 410-841-5450, or 800-331-5603. Calvert County's Planning and Zoning Department follows the same guidelines as SHA for placement of signs on county roads. For more information, visit their web page to view the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 6-8.02), or call 410-535-2348.  The Towns of Chesapeake Beach (410-257-2230) and North Beach (410-257-9618), should be consulted if placing signs in either municipality.  A candidate should report any theft or destruction of signs to the Sheriff's Office at 410-535-2800.

View the Elected Officials here.

Registered voters may call the Election Board office to request information and an application or go online to our Election Judge page. In most cases, election judges are assigned to work in their own precinct or as close to home as possible. Training is required, for which each judge will paid $50 along with election pay. Judges are paid a minimum of $250 for each election or early voting day worked.

The Procurement Office advertises all solicitations on the State of Maryland’s bidding website, eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA), which is free to all vendors. Registration is not required but in order to automatically receive bid notifications by email, vendors must register with on the eMMA website.

Additionally, formal bids are also  advertised for two consecutive weeks in at least two local newspapers and on Calvert County Government's Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd/.

The Calvert County Department of Economic Development offers a number of services to support and encourage entrepreneurship and business development. For more information about the no-charge business services available to Calvert County business owners visit www.choosecalvert.com or email.

Once your company is registered on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage as a vendor, you automatically receive email notifications of available bids, based on commodity codes. Since all Maryland State and Local agencies utilize this service, it will broaden your opportunity to provide goods and services statewide.

Once registered as a vendor, with your specific commodity codes, eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) will email you with the link to view more detailed information on that particular bid. You will then be able to download the detailed bid package.

It is preferred that vendors contact the Procurement Office to make an appointment. This allows staff to dedicate uninterrupted time to the vendor to make their presentation.

Offline bidding refers to mailing or hand delivery of sealed formal bids directly to the Procurement Office. This is the current Calvert County Government procedure, we do not accept on-line bids.

Online bidding is an electronic filing of a bid through the eMaryland Marketplace  Advantage website. The online bidding format on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage is not conducive with Calvert County Government’s sealed formal bidding document requirements.

A bid is created to procure a service or commodity need to serve the citizens of Calvert County.   

An Informal bid is created when a service or commodity is needed, and it is determined the total cost will be less than $30,000 per fiscal year. Usually, these bids are in the form of a Request for Quote (RFQ). 

A formal bid is created when a service or commodity's estimated cost is more than $30,000 per fiscal year. These bids are usually in the form of an Invitation to Bid (ITB) or Request for Proposal (RFP). 

Calvert County offers senior housing for both independent seniors and for those in need of assisted living services. Costs will vary and some housing may have waiting lists. For Assisted Living information, you may call the Office on Aging at 410-535-4606 or 301-855-1170. For senior independent housing information, you may call the Housing Authority of Calvert County at 410-535-5010.

View our CREATE! for Seniors document to learn more about this program for seniors with developmental disabilities.

• Sixty-Plus Legal Program - Seniors 60+ may qualify for low cost legal services to include small estate management, deed changes, advance directives / living wills, powers of attorney, and wills. Contact the Office on Aging at 410-535-4606 or 301-855-1170 for a current list of participating attorneys. *, **
• Office on Aging - A contract between the Office on Aging and the Legal Aid Bureau Inc. allows seniors 60+ to receive legal assistance at the three senior sites in Calvert County. Topics addressed include consumer issues, landlord / tenant disputes, advance directives, obtaining health insurance and other public benefits and Social Security / SSI benefits. Call 410-535-4606 or 301-855-1170 to schedule an appointment.** 
• Maryland Senior Legal Hotline - Seniors 60+ have access to free legal information via telephone. The number to call is 1-800-999-8904. Hotline hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telephonic translation is available in 140 different languages.**
• Nursing Home Program - Free legal assistance is available to nursing home residents statewide. Family members and friends may also request assistance on behalf of the residents. The following concerns may be addressed: abuse / neglect, residents rights, discharges / transfers, Medicare / Medicaid eligibility, and admission contracts. The contact number is 1-800-367-7563.**
• Assisted Living Project - By meeting the financial eligibility requirements, certain residents of assisted living facilities are entitled to free legal assistance. Issues addressed include residents rights, admission contracts, billing disputes, and understanding the regulations. Call 800-367-7563 for more information.**

* In association with the Maryland State Bar Association’s Elder Law Section. ** In association with the Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.

• Be Maryland residents with a least one resident age 55 or older
• Own and occupy the home to be renovated as their principal residence
• Reside in a home that is structurally sound and free of health and safety hazards
• Not have any outstanding federal or state tax liens, open bankruptcy, or foreclosure
• Meet income requirements: $57,960 maximum annual income for a one-person household and $66,240 maximum annual income for a two-person household.

The Calvert County Department of Public Safety has the legal authority to assign addresses in Calvert County. The addresses assigned by Public Safety are the ones shown in the map. The County considers this address to be the official address, and this is the address 911 Operators look for in their dispatching tools. The addresses listed in the tax records are maintained by the State Department of Assessments & Taxation. While these should match the addresses used by the County, discrepancies occasionally occur. If there is a discrepancy between the address you use, and the one in the map, please contact us. Your feedback will help us improve the accuracy of this mapping system.

No, the imagery shown in our online maps was taken on previous dates. Consequently, anything constructed after the imagery capture date will not be visible in the imagery. Additional years of imagery can be seen in our "Historic Imagery" map.

The Calvert County Department of Public Works follows a pavement management program that prioritizes resurfacing based on the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), which rates roads from 0 to 100, with 100 being the best. Roads with a PCI of 70 or lower are added to the paving list.

Each review also considers the condition of the underlying infrastructure, since roads with a stable surface may still require immediate attention if the foundation is failing. These decisions—guided by experienced staff—balance road conditions with available funding, which ultimately determines how many roads can be resurfaced each fiscal year.

Calvert County Public Works oversees and maintains more than 900 lane miles of local roadways. Lane miles are used to measure the total length and lane count of a given highway or road. Ten miles of a five-lane highway is 50 lane miles (10 centerline miles x 5 lanes). It helps determine total road surface area and traffic capacity, unlike simple centerline miles which only measure distance.

Maintenance includes drainage work, pothole repairs, roadside shoulders, roadside mowing, guardrail maintenance, line stripping, road signage, litter pick up, snow removal and vegetation trimming.

A resurfaced road typically lasts between 10 and 25 years, depending on factors such as traffic volume, climate, road type and maintenance.

In Fiscal Year 2025, Calvert County Public Works resurfaced 15.5 miles across 34 local roads, with another 10.8 miles programmed this fiscal year across 21 local roads.

The Calvert County Department of Public Works prefers to resurface roads using hot-mix asphalt, which requires air and ground temperatures above 50 degrees to ensure durability. If conditions don’t allow for hot-mix asphalt, Public Works will temporarily repair problem areas with a cold patch until a full resurfacing can be completed.

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for maintaining state roads in Calvert County. State roads are identified by route numbers – for example, MD Route 2/4 is a state-maintained highway. Roads that only have names and no route numbers are typically maintained by the county, such as Long Beach Road. Named roads within towns or municipalities are maintained by their respective local governments.

Roads with blue street signs are typically private drives and are maintained privately.

For Comprehensive Plan questions: Tay Harris, Long-Range Planner, Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning. 150 Main Street, Floor 3, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Phone: 410-535-1600, ext. 2333. Email: Tay.Harris@calvertcountymd.gov.

For Zoning Ordinance questions: Rachel O'Shea, Deputy Director, Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning. 150 Main Street, Floor 3, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Phone: 410-535-1600, ext. 2339. Email: Rachel.Oshea@calvertcountymd.gov.

While exact figures are difficult to ascertain, the percentage of county residents who do not have access to cable is approximately 1.5 percent.

• The property is only about 12 acres – very limited for commercial development which must also include parking, stormwater management, green space and landscaping. The developer has designed a commercial development that incorporates some of the Charette recommendations from 2013 including a connection to Armory Road, Dares Beach Road, the multi-use pavilion at the former Armory building site and a planned wide variety of housing within a five-minute walk, a range of retail options with extensive landscaping and ample outdoor amenity areas.
• Current tenants can be seen by visiting the What’s Going Where Map.

• The developer is Armory Square LLC. The development team has a proven, successful record in Calvert County. They are local, and they are experienced in creating economically viable, attractive commercial properties throughout Maryland.

• The establishment is slated to include a grocery store and a variety of retail, services and restaurant establishments. However, the developer will determine the highest and best use for the property based on market trends and what is allowed onsite by current zoning of the property.
• The county will not speculate about what will ultimately go on the property. For the latest list of tenants, please visit the What’s Going Where Map.

• Conservatively, a total of 110,000 square feet of retail development is estimated.

• Conservatively, a total of 110,000 square feet is estimated.
• Approximately 300 new jobs.
• Estimated $300,000 annually in taxes.

• $40 million investment.

• Construction is now underway onsite. The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2025, dependent on the submission, review, and approval of relevant permits. 

• Generation Properties is a commercial property management and development company formed by Eric Bailey, principal and sole proprietor, and Charles “Rick” Bailey, Jr., advisor, who previously ran the commercial division of Marrick Properties. Generation Properties continues to manage the commercial properties previously developed during their time at Marrick Properties in addition to providing third-party property management and construction services to other developers. They continue to develop and construct new commercial properties in Southern Maryland.
• MCB Real Estate is a community-centric, privately held institutional investment management firm headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. MCB boasts a nationwide portfolio of $3 Billion Assets Under Management totaling approximately 15 million square-feet. of industrial, office, retail, mixed-use, multi-family and life sciences properties with almost four million square-feet in its development pipeline. The firm was founded by David Bramble and Peter Pinkard. Principals include Drew Gorman, Mike Trail and Gina Edwards Chambers. In prior roles, Drew Gorman has worked with the Rick and Eric Bailey of Generation Properties and Marvin Ousler of Marrick Properties, in the development of Market Square in Prince Frederick, the Walgreen’s and Shore Bank in Lusby, and The Shoppes at Apple Greene in Dunkirk. .

• Julie Oberg, Director, Calvert County Department of Economic Development.

• The Board of County Commissioners may not legally develop commercial land.

• The prior 2010 Comprehensive Plan and current Comprehensive Plan call for economic development in all town centers. The property will be sold to encourage economic development in the Prince Frederick Town Center.

• As referenced by the Calvert County Code of Public Laws § 6-104 - Contracts for sale of real property [1985, ch. 715, § 2], notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, the county may grant and convey any county interest in real property other than by formal bidding procedures if the Commissioners determine that it is in the best interest of the county to do so, provided that:

1. The consideration for the transfer is not less than the highest of two independent appraisals; and
2. The Commissioners set out on the record the reasons for their determination; and 
3. Before conveying any property interest under this section, the Commissioners shall publish a notice describing the property and the sale for at least two consecutive weeks in at least two county newspapers.

The Commissioners approved the purchase and sale agreement as presented based on the following: (1) the project will add approximately 125,000 square feet of new commercial space, (2) create 450 new jobs, and (3) increase commercial tax revenue.

• The price was determined by taking the highest of two independent appraisals as called for by public law.

• The building was in a state of disrepair and demolished in 2012.

• None. The proposed multi-use development does not require any text amendments or new zoning regulations.

• This project will complement other commercial projects in Prince Frederick by offering new to market tenants and enhancing more efficient pedestrian and vehicular connections to adjacent commercial developments,, creating foot traffic for other businesses in the Prince Frederick Town Center, and offering another location in the county to procure services instead of going outside the county to obtain similar services.

• An update to the Prince Frederick Town Center Zoning Ordinance does not stop development in the Prince Frederick Town Center. Businesses can still obtain site plan approvals under current zoning regulations if they desire. Based on the anticipated size of the project, it can be developed under current regulations.

• The developer was required to conduct an independent traffic analysis for the project and make any required changes identified by that study.

• The Louis L. Goldstein National Guard Armory building in Prince Frederick was demolished to make way for an open-air, multi-use pavilion. This pavilion is designed to facilitate a variety of activities, including a farmer’s market, community events, arts, and entertainment. The plans for the space include amenities such as a commercial kitchen, restrooms, and a surrounding grassy area. Once finished, the new multi-use pavilion is poised to become a central gathering space in the heart of the Prince Frederick Town Center and will be a complementary use that is easily accessible from the Armory Square development. It will also preserve the agricultural character of Calvert County, featuring a memorial to honor the armory's history.

• Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, the county may grant and convey any county interest in real property other than by formal bidding procedures if the Commissioners determine that it is in the best interest of the county to do so, provided that:

1. The consideration for the transfer is not less than the highest of two independent appraisals; and
2. The Commissioners set out on the record the reasons for their determination; and 
3. Before conveying any property interest under this section, the Commissioners shall publish a notice describing the property and the sale for at least two consecutive weeks in at least two county newspapers.

• The board approved the purchase and sale agreement as presented based on the following: (1) the project will add approximately 110,000 square feet of new commercial space, (2) create 275 new jobs, and (3) increase commercial tax revenue.

Text-to-911 is the ability to send text messages from your mobile phone to local 911 call centers in an emergency if you are unable to place a phone call. In Maryland, residents and visitors who are enrolled in their carrier’s text and/or data plan can use text-to-911. If text-to-911 service is not available, users will receive a bounce back message telling them to place a phone or relay call.

There are many significant benefits to text-to-911, especially in cases when the caller cannot communicate verbally. For example, text-to-911 is extremely useful for those who are hard of hearing, deaf, or speech-impaired. Text-to-911 can also help in situations when a crime is in process; the caller is facing domestic abuse; the caller is injured and cannot speak; or other scenarios.

Text-to-911 is now available statewide to all residents and visitor in Maryland. If the service is not available in a certain area, or if temporarily unavailable, users will receive a bounce back message telling them to place a phone or relay call to request emergency service. A phone call is still the preferred method for contacting 911 even when text-to-911 is available. Text-to-911 is intended for use in three primary scenarios; for individuals who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech disability; for someone in a situation where it may be unsafe to place a voice call to 911; for an individual who is experiencing a medical emergency and may be unable to speak. The general rule is: call if you can, text if you can’t.

Wireless carriers will provide text-to-911 services in the format requested by local 911 call centers, e.g., through TTY, through Internet Protocol (IP), or other technologies. The carriers will provision the service based on the call centers’ requests. Text-to-911 service in Maryland is supported by AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Users must be enrolled in a text and/or data plan to text 911.

Text-to-911, like all text messaging, is not without challenges. It may take longer for text messages to 911 to be received and responded to. Text messages to 911 also may be received out of order and do not include the same location information as a voice or relay call. When texting 911, it’s important to remember to include the location of the emergency in the initial message. Additionally, 911 centers cannot receive pictures or videos via text message. Messages should be short and use simple language.

Text messaging is one of the primary ways people communicate today, particularly young people, members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, and those with speech disabilities. Statistics have shown that an estimated 6 billion SMS messages are sent every day in the United States. The 911 community is constantly striving to meet the evolving needs of the public, and right now that means implementing text-to-911 solutions. While text-to-911 does have some limitations and challenges, the ability to text 911 in an emergency when someone may be unable to place a phone call has the potential to save many more lives.

Follow these steps to text 911 in an emergency:

1. Enter 911 into the “To” field of a new message 

2. Your first text should be short and include the location of the emergency and the type of service needed – police, fire, or ambulance 

3. Press the send button 

4. Answer questions from the 911 specialist and follow the instructions he or she provides 

5. Text in simple words; do not use abbreviations or slang 

6. Keep messages short

If your text has been received, a 911 specialist should respond to your text. If text-to-911 is not available in your area, or is temporarily unavailable, you should receive a message from your wireless carrier letting you know that you must place a voice or relay call to 911.

Standard text messaging rates apply.

For more information on evaluating your situation, visit the People's Law Library website.

You can look up the case on the CaseSearch website. Court dates should appear under Court Scheduling Information. You can also call the Clerk's Office at 410-535-1600 ext. 2268 or 2404 (Civil) or ext. 2270 (Criminal).

You will need to submit the request in writing and it must comply with the general provisions for pleadings in Maryland Rules 1-301 through 1-361. Make sure that you include a description of the good reason you have to make the request. You will have to include a certificate of service, which is a certificate stating that you have sent a copy of your motion/request to postpone to all the other parties or their attorneys in the case (Rule 1-323). It certifies when and how you served the other party with the motion. Allow plenty of time for the other party to respond. Remember that the court may still refuse to change the date. 

If you are the Plaintiff in the case, your case could be dismissed. If you are the defendant in a civil or family law matter, the plaintiff could ask the presiding judge to enter a "default judgment" against you in their favor. A writ of attachment could be issued for you. A writ of attachment is a court order commanding the sheriff to arrest a person who is in contempt of court. If you are the defendant in a criminal case, a bench warrant may be issued for your arrest. 

Unfortunately, at this time the answer is no. The Administrative Office of the Courts is developing a statewide cashiering system that will include a module for debit/credit card services. Until that system is rolled out, unless the court already had a contract for the use of credit/debit cards in place, Clerk's offices may not add those additional services. You may pay with cash, check, or money order. 

The Calvert County Zoning Ordinance is being updated in order to make the ordinance consistent with the Calvert County Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2019 and amended in 2022. Per Maryland State Land Use Law, zoning regulations must be consistent with a local government’s comprehensive plan. 

However, there are additional reasons why a comprehensive review and update of the zoning ordinance is appropriate at this time. The last comprehensive review of the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance was in 2006, and in recent years many text amendments to the zoning ordinance have become necessary. When text amendment requests become frequent, it is a sign that a comprehensive review and update of the ordinance is needed.

The Calvert County Zoning Ordinance is being updated in order to make the ordinance consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. In addition to the Calvert County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance, there are also seven Town Center Master Plans and Zoning Ordinances. 

While the Town Center Zoning Ordinances do sometimes reference the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance, the Town Center Master Plans and Zoning Ordinances are updated in a separate process. 

The updates to the Town Center Master Plans are underway, with draft plans for Prince Frederick Town Center and Dunkirk Town Center currently being prepared. However, this process will take many years to complete and waiting until all seven Town Center Master Plans have been updated and adopted before updating the county Zoning Ordinance is not a realistic option. Also, the organization of articles and sections of the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance is being restructured, which may have an influence on the structure and organization of the updated Town Center Zoning Ordinances.

The draft Calvert County Zoning Ordinance states in Section 1-3.E, “If a Town Center Zoning Ordinance does not address a requirement, condition, or issue which is addressed in the Zoning Ordinance of Calvert County, the Zoning Ordinance of Calvert County applies. However, with the exception of Article 18, the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance of Calvert County are subordinate to any applicable Town Center Zoning Ordinance.” Draft Article 18 and Tables 18-1, 18-2, and 18-3 address uses permitted in the zoning districts and town centers.

However, no major substantive changes have been proposed in terms of permitted uses and conditions for town centers in this draft, with the exception of a few new uses being introduced, such as amphitheaters and pet grooming establishments, which are proposed to be allowed in some town center districts.

The Waterfront Community District (WCD) is a new zoning district created to make the County’s zoning consistent with the Comprehensive Plan .

The Comprehensive Plan describes Waterfront Communities as, “unincorporated, clustered, small population centers located along Calvert County’s waterfront. These small-lot communities are located in rural locations and were developed before many of the health, safety, and environmental regulations that govern the layout and design of newer communities. Their waterfront location leads to increased risks of flooding or cliff erosion and their small lot sizes served by wells and septic systems may contribute to public health and environmental threats. Waterfront communities are recognized as unique places within the county; future development within these areas is limited. Areas proposed as Waterfront Communities include Plum Point, Dares Beach, Cove Point, Randle Cliff Beach, Summer City, Scientists Cliffs, Calvert Beach, Long Beach, and Broomes Island.” Figure 3-4 on Page 3-15 of the Comprehensive Plan shows where Waterfront Communities are located in the Future Land Use Plan.

In the draft Zoning Ordinance, a summary of the purpose and intent of the WCD is located in Article 5 and permitted, conditional, and special exception uses allowed in this district can be viewed in Table 18-1 with definitions and conditions for specific uses included in Article 18. The WCD is a rural residential district, and no expansion of commercial retail, business and/or personal service uses have been proposed for these areas in the draft Zoning Ordinance.

The areas that are proposed to become part of the WCD are predominately zoned Residential District (RD) under current zoning. The RD allows for the highest permitted residential densities outside of town centers with the purchase of Transferable Development Rights (TDRs). The Comprehensive Plan states that Waterfront Communities, “are not planned for expansion or additional growth” and that “TDRs may not be used to permit additional dwelling units in these areas”. To ensure the county’s zoning is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, there is no permitted residential density proposed for the WCD. This means that the subdivision of parcels which create additional lots are not permitted. However, if a pre-existing parcel is buildable, a building permit for a residential dwelling may still be obtained and two or more pre-existing parcels can still be combined into one parcel. 

The draft Zoning Map was based on the Future Land Use Plan found the in the Comprehensive Plan and the delineation of the WCD is based on the delineation of Waterfront Communities in the Future Land Use Plan. Per Maryland State Land Use Law, zoning regulations must be consistent with a local government’s comprehensive plan. 

The areas designated as Waterfront Communities in the Future Land Use Plan are predominantly located within areas recognized as Rural Villages by the Maryland Department of Planning. The Waterfront Community land use category in the Comprehensive Plan was intended to include the entire community, not to only be applied strictly to waterfront properties. 

No, no, and no. 

In regard to property taxes, an assessment is based on the highest and best use of the property. The WCD is a rural residential district, there has been no expansion of commercial retail, business, and/or personal service uses proposed for this district. Being rezoned to WCD will not lead to increases in property taxes for property owners in these communities. Your deed would only change if you and your legal counsel make a change, or go through a property transaction, that would require a change in ownership or property description.

Arguably, the most substantive difference between the WCD and the Residential District (RD), which is predominately how these communities are currently zoned, is a reduction in permitted residential density. There are also some uses that are permitted in the RD that are not permitted in the WCD because they are less appropriate for these rural communities, like assisted living facilities. 

No, the WCD does not propose more restrictions when making modifications to properties or dwellings (except in terms of a reduction in residential density potential for developable parcels). 

However, many of the properties located in these areas are also located in the regulated floodplain. There are proposals to floodplain requirements in the draft Zoning Ordinance that will impact these properties, such as raising the Flood Protection Elevation from two feet to four feet above base flood elevation. However, these requirements, which are located in Article 24 (Floodplain), are not dependent on the zoning district.

Proposed minimum lot areas for the various zoning districts are described in draft Articles 4 (Agricultural DistrictsPDF), 5 (Rural Residential DistrictsPDF), 6 (Residential DistrictsPDF), 7 (Commercial DistrictsPDF) and 8 (Industrial Districts).

For single family-detached development in the Farm and Forest District (FFD) and Rural Community District (RCD), the minimum lot area proposed is one acre (43,560 square feet). In the Rural Neighborhood District (RND) it is proposed to be 30,000 square feet, and in the Residential District (RD) it is proposed to be 30,000 square feet unless the lots are connected to sewerage service, in which case the minimum lot area can be reduced to 10,000 square feet (this minimum lot area reduction is permitted in the RD under the current regulations as well). 

Regardless of zoning district, all lots also require health department approval (and the health department requires a minimum 10,000 square foot area reserved for on-site septic systems). Under past zoning ordinances, minimum lot area permitted for lots not connected with sewerage service was as low as 20,000 square feet. Under the current Zoning Ordinance, minimum lot areas for single family detached lots outside town centers are one acre. This draft proposes to reduce the lot area minimums to 30,000 square feet in the Rural Neighborhood District (RND) and Residential District (RD), allowing a little more flexibility in terms of minimum lot size in areas closer to town centers. 

It should be noted that the draft Zoning Ordinance proposes to increase protective buffer areas from sensitive environmental features (streams, non-tidal wetlands, steep slopes) in new subdivisions. Allowing these sensitive and protected environmental features and their buffers on lots under an acre in size has led to issues with the buildable area on lots in the past, which is why the draft also proposes to not allow protective buffers from sensitive environmental features, or forest retention areas, to be located on lots one acre or less in size. 

The permitted residential densities of the Farm and Forest District, Rural Community District, Rural Neighborhood District, Waterfront Community District and Residential District are found in the minimum standards tables located in draft Articles 4 (Agricultural DistrictsPDF), 5 (Rural Residential DistrictsPDF) and 6 (Residential Districts).

More information on density generally and details specific to these districts can be found in the Comparison of the 2023 Draft Ordinance to the Current Zoning Ordinance.

Under the current Zoning Ordinance, areas within certain zoning districts that are also within a one-mile radius or perimeter of town centers are permitted higher residential densities than areas outside of the one-mile radius/perimeter. In the draft Zoning Ordinance, this one-mile radius policy is replaced by the Residential District (RD) around the Town Centers of Solomons, Lusby, Prince Frederick, Chesapeake Beach and North Beach and by the Rural Neighborhood District (RND) around the Town Centers of Dunkirk, Owings, Huntingtown and St. Leonard.

In response to the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012, Senate Bill 236 (a.k.a. Septic Bill) the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Growth Tier Map on April 25, 2017. The Growth Tier Map divides the county into four tiers based on existing and/or planned sewerage service and planned growth areas. This is relevant because there are certain requirements and restrictions on permitted residential density based on a parcel’s location within the Growth Tier Map. 

In Tier IV, those areas planned for agricultural/resource protection, preservation, or conservation, only minor residential subdivisions are permitted (seven lots or fewer). In Tier III, areas not planned for public sewerage service, the Planning Commission must hold at least one public hearing prior to approval of a major residential subdivision (greater than seven lots). In Tier II, areas planned to be served by public sewerage service, only minor residential subdivisions (seven or fewer lots) are permitted if the development is not connected to public sewerage service. In Tier I, areas with existing public sewerage service, development will be served by public sewerage systems.

An example of why this is significant is the reconfigured Residential District areas in the vicinity of Prince Frederick Town Center in the draft zoning map, which are predominantly a mix of Tier II and Tier III areas. The Residential District has a permitted residential density with the purchase of Transferable Development Rights of four dwelling units per acre. But the ability to achieve maximum density permitted is dependent upon the ability to create smaller lots, which is only possible with connection to sewerage service. So, for instance, for the parcels located in Tier III areas, like those along German Chapel Road, the parcels north of Prince Frederick, and the parcels east of Prince Frederick, because these areas are not planned for sewerage service minimum lot areas would be 30,000 square feet (roughly 2/3 of an acre), and a residential density of four dwelling units per acre cannot be achieved with minimum lot areas of that size.

To see which types of development are permitted in each zoning district, see draft Article 18 and Table 18-1 (Outside Town Center Uses).

There will be opportunities to comment on uses allowed within the zoning districts at the time Article 18 is open for public comment. The opening of this comment period will be publicized through press releases, the Zoning Ordinance Update website, and social media.

This will also not be the last time the public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed zoning districts and this is not the final draft. There will be an updated draft Zoning Ordinance after the first round of public forums, public comment, and work sessions are complete, and public comment on the updated draft will be sought and reviewed.

One significant difference between the use tables in the draft Zoning Ordinance as compared to the current Zoning Ordinance is that the use tables for six of the town centers have been combined so they can be viewed together as one table instead of being listed in separate individual tables (the Solomons Town Center uses are still listed on an individual table because it has 21 sub-areas, too many to fit on a combined table). And all conditions for uses allowed in the town centers are listed together underneath the specific use in Article 18 instead of being located separately. This makes comparing the allowed uses and conditions for each town center much easier than can be done currently. More information on the proposed changes to the Uses article and Use tables will be provided when public comment is sought on Article 18. 

These acronyms represent the various draft zoning districts. The draft zoning districts, as well as their acronyms, are introduced in draft Article 3 (Zoning Map). Summaries of the intent and purpose of each zoning district (as well as the zoning district acronyms) are included in draft Articles 4 through 8.

The differences between the FFD and the RCD are described in Articles 4 and 5, which summarize the purpose and intent of these districts and include minimum standards tables which address permitted residential density, lot area, and setback requirements. The allowed uses for these districts can be compared by reviewing Article 18 and Table 18-1.  Details on the proposed changes to these districts can be found in the comparison of the 2023 draft Zoning Ordinance with the current Zoning Ordinance. 

The Wetlands District, which is currently delineated around tidal wetlands, was introduced in the early 1980’s. The Wetlands District was not included in the draft Zoning Ordinance update because it has become redundant due to federal, state, and county regulations that have since been adopted which protect tidal wetlands.

Agricultural Preservation Districts (APDs) are overlay districts, not zoning districts. An overlay district is superimposed on one or more zoning districts or parts of zoning districts. The standards and requirements associated with an overlay district may be more or less restrictive than those in the underlying zoning district. APDs are primarily governed by the Agricultural Preservation Rules and Regulations, which is separate from the Zoning Ordinance. However, the Zoning Ordinance is relevant because allowed uses for APDs and conditions for uses are determined by Article 18 (Uses) and the use tables. Uses allowed in the underlying zoning district, but not allowed in Agricultural Preservation Districts are not permitted in APDs.

Industrial districts are proposed in the area south of Lusby in order to make the County’s zoning consistent with the Future Land Use Plan as found in the Comprehensive Plan. These areas were proposed to become industrial areas as part of the amendments to Comprehensive Plan that were adopted on December 9, 2022. 

Currently these areas are zoned either Employment Center District (EC) or Residential District (RD), so potential consequences can be understood in large part by reviewing the uses allowed in the EC and RD currently and comparing them with the uses allowed in these industrial districts (Light Industrial District and Industrial Mixed-Use District) in the updated Zoning Ordinance. 

There are no new Residential District zones proposed for the areas around Lusby and Solomons.

Because this Zoning Ordinance Update includes a complete restructuring and re-organization of the zoning ordinance, this is not practical. However, staff has prepared a document which compares and summarizes the substantive changes proposed in draft Articles 3 through 9 as compared with the current Zoning Ordinance and will continue to provide these comparisons/summaries for all draft articles as this process continues.

At a joint Public Hearing on June 21, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners approved and enacted Text Amendment #23-03. This text amendment requires all zoning ordinance and map amendment requests to be addressed through the Zoning Ordinance Update process, instead of pursuant to Section 1-6.01 A-C of the current Zoning Ordinance. 

However, there is an exception to this policy if the Board of County Commissioners finds that a text or map amendment request should be considered because it either corrects a mistake, or is necessary to address public health, safety or welfare.

Yes, draft Article 2 (Definitions) defines the terms used in the draft Zoning Ordinance. 

Yes, visit www.calvertcountymd.gov/NotifyMe and enter your email address and subscribe to the Zoning Ordinance Update news flash located on the bottom of the page.

The Floodplain Article contains regulations which are implemented primarily to protect human life, health and welfare and to prevent or minimize flood damage in the future. Regulations that protect sensitive environmental features such as steep slopes, highly erodible soils, streams, and forests are found in Article 20 (Forest Conservation), Article 21 (Natural Resources), and Article 22 (Critical Area).

There are regulations that protect streams, forests and sensitive environmental features outside of the Critical Area located in Article 20 (Forest Conservation) and Article 21 (Natural Resources).

There are no proposals to change the residential density permitted under Critical Area regulations. The maximum permitted density in the Critical Area depends on the classification; for Resource Conservation Areas, the maximum density is one dwelling unit per 20 acres; in the Limited Development Area the maximum is four dwelling units per acre; however, if the underlying zoning district has a more restrictive permitted density, than that more restrictive density requirement would supersede the Critical Area requirements.

The county has a countywide flood mitigation plan (an update to this plan is forthcoming) as well as a number of small area flood mitigation plans which focus on the most flood prone communities (like Cove Point and Broomes Island) which take into consideration the impact of rising water levels (links to these plans are available here). The Broomes Island Flood Mitigation Plan recommends that the flood protection elevation be raised higher than the current requirement, which is two feet of freeboard above the base flood elevation. The proposal in the draft Zoning Ordinance update is to raise the flood protection elevation to four feet of freeboard above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor of new buildings or structures, substantially improved, or repair of substantially damaged structures is required to be at least as high as the flood protection elevation. This would apply to structures located in special flood hazard areas as designated by FEMA. One of the benefits of raising the flood protection elevation is the county receiving credit towards FEMA’s Community Rating System which allows property owners to receive a discount on their flood insurance premiums; the more credit received, the greater the potential discount for property owners in the county.

You can stream Calvert County TV on Apple TV,  iPhone, Android TV, Android Phones, Amazon Fire TV and Roku. It is also available on Comcast channel 99 and 1070 HD, the county's Calvert Broadcast webpage and on YouTube at @CalvertCountyGov.

Calvert County TV provides live and on-demand coverage of the Board of County Commissioners meetings, public meetings/information sessions, community programming and a variety of educational, uplifting and entertaining content.

No. Calvert County TV is a recent service developed through a partnership between Calvert County and Cablecast, expanding public access to county programming across multiple devices.

The Calvert County TV app is free and available through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon and Roku.

For assistance, please contact the Calvert Broadcast Team at:  CalvertBroadcast@calvertcountymd.gov.