Q. What are Metropolitan District Charges?
A. Metropolitan District charges are special assessments levied on properties deriving benefit from water and sewer utilities. There are four (4) charges: Sewer benefit, Water benefit, Sewer Service, and Water Distribution
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Q Why are they levied?
A. By authority of Section 20-3-201 of the Baltimore County Code. Sewer and Water Benefit charges are levied to recover construction costs. Sewer Service charges are levied to recover the cost of transporting and treating of wastewater and disposing of the by-products. Water Distribution Charges are levied to furnish funds for debt service of Metropolitan District bonds issued for the financing of capital expenditures for major facilities.
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Q. How are they computed?
A. Water and Sewer Benefit Charges are computed using an assessable footage assigned to a property and a rate per foot assigned to the utility for which the property is assessed. Sewer Service Charges may be computed based on plumbing fixtures or actual water consumption. Water Distribution Charges are based on the size and number of meters serving a property. For specific rates per foot, assessable frontage and interest rates, contact our office at 410-887-3363.
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Q. How are they collected? How long are they paid?
A. Metropolitan District Charges are billed annually on the property tax bill. Water and Sewer Benefit Charges are paid for forty (40) years. Sewer Service and Water Distribution Charges are paid as long as the property is connected to the utilities.
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Q. Can they be paid off? When? How? How much?
A. Water and Sewer Benefit Charges can be paid off at any time by paying the entire unpaid principal balance and a prorated interest on the balance. Please contact this office at 410-887-3363 for the computation of the principal and interest.
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Q. How much of water and sewer benefit payments is principal and how much is interest?
A. Water and sewer benefit payments are amortized; therefore, it is necessary for you to contact this office each year for the principal and interest to be computed.
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Q. Do I have to pay off the Water and Sewer Benefit charges to sell my property?
A. Baltimore County does not require that Water and/or Sewer Benefit Charges be paid off in order to transfer title of property. It is an assumable lien.
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Q. Is there any benefit to paying off the Water and Sewer Benefit charges?
A. Paying off Water and Sewer Benefit charges does remove the annual payment from the property tax bill; however, any benefit from doing so must be determined by property owners themselves.
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Q. How many years do I have left to pay the Water and Sewer Benefit charges?
A. You will need to contact this office at 410-887-3363 to determine the remaining years of the 40 year payment.
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Q. Why do I have to pay these charges when a Developer is building the water and sewer mains?
A. Section 20-3-201 of the Baltimore County Code directs that all properties that abut a road, easement or right-of-way within which a water main and/or sewer main is built is subject to assessment.
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Q Where are the water and sewer mains located?
A Contact this office at 410-887-3363 to provide information about the location of your property.
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Q How do I get a water meter/sewer connection installed? How much will it cost?
A. Contact the Office of Permits and Development Management at 410-887-3614.
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Q I am a Disabled Veteran and pay no property taxes. Do I have to pay Metropolitan District Charges?
A Disabled veterans and their surviving spouses are exempt from payment of all Metropolitan District Charges as well as certain construction loan charges, such as water and sewer deficit charges, water and sewer property connection charges and water and sewer system connection charges. However, no exemption shall be granted for the special water and sewer installation charges (also known as the private plumber's bill).
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Q I am a senior citizen on a fixed income. Do I have to pay Metropolitan District Charges?
A. Taxpayers who are 60 years of age as of July 1 and are eligible for a Homeowner's Tax Credit by reason of income may be eligible to have their metropolitan benefit and utility charges deferred. For additional information, contact the Office of Budget and Finance at 410-887-4100.
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Revised June 26, 2006
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