Updates and Guidance forCOVID-19

All hearings will be live-streamed using Webex available as a free downloadable application on any computer or smartphone. Any interested individual who wishes to provide testimony can do so by dialing into the hearing on the date and time it is scheduled. Testimony and exhibits can also by submitted by email to administrativehearings@baltimorecountymd.gov or by mail. All testimony and exhibits must be received 48 business hours in advance of the hearing. All hearings will be recorded.

For more information or questions, call 410-887-3868 or email administrativehearings@baltimorecountymd.gov.

• Adoptions, redemptions and owner surrenders are by appointment only.
• All spay and neuter surgical services are being done by appointment only.
• Rabies clinics are suspended.
• TNR services are by appointment only.
• If you find a lost pet, please call 410-887-7297.
• Field Services officers are working remotely with limited public contact.
• Number of volunteers and volunteer hours are reduced.

For additional information regarding the status of shelter services, visit the Animal Services website.

The Department of Economic and Workforce Development has compiled resources for businesses and workers regarding available assistance at the federal, state and local levels.

Fast-Tracking Outdoor Table Service

Baltimore County is expediting approvals to temporarily allow establishments to expand outdoor table service into areas not previously authorized, in a manner that ensures the safety of their customers and staff. Find more information.

Fast-Tracking Alcohol Delivery Requests

Baltimore County is expediting approvals to temporarily allow establishments to deliver alcoholic beverages to residents in Baltimore County. Find more information from the Liquor Board.

Effective immediately, Baltimore County implemented additional public access restrictions at all Towson Complex County Office Buildings to further limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

While these buildings remain open for business Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., members of the general public will not be allowed beyond the lobby of each building. Directional signage will be posted at each building. Additional information on individual departments is available:

Office of Budget and Finance

Members of the public can drop off payments in designated lockboxes for the Office of Budget and Finance at the lobby of the Historic Courthouse (400 Washington Avenue, 21204) on both the North and South sides of the building.

• To pay property taxes, visit the online Tax Search.

• To pay a prior parking, red light or speed camera violation, visit the Citation Payments page.

• For bill payment questions, call 410-887-2777 or email payments@baltimorecountymd.gov.

• To electronically record a document, such as a deed, visit www.simplifile.com or call 800-460-5657 to set up an account. For questions regarding e-filing documents, call 410-887-2416.

Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections

Members of the public can drop off permit and plan submissions in the lobby of the County Office Building (111 West Chesapeake Avenue, 21204). Staff will contact applicants via telephone or email to process the submission.

Permit fees can now be paid online. An online link will be provided once fees are determined by a staff member.

Same-day permitting is suspended at this time.

Permit questions can be answered by calling 410-887-3900. For all other questions related to approvals or inspections, call 410-887-3353.

Department of Public Works and Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability

Members of the public can drop off submissions for the Department of Public Works and Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability in the lobby of the County Office Building (111 West Chesapeake Avenue, 21204).

Questions for Environmental Protection and Sustainability can be answered by calling 410-887-3733. Questions for Department of Public Works can be answered by calling 410-887-3300.

Department of Planning

Members of the public can drop off documents for Planning matters in a lockbox in the lobby of the Jefferson Building (105 West Chesapeake Avenue, 21204).

All Planning inquiries can be answered by calling 410-887-3211.

Court Operations

Based upon the Administrative Order issued by Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera on February 16, 2021, Maryland Courts are in Phase V of a five phased re-start program as of April 26, 2021 and have resumed full operations. View all Administrative Orders.

The Circuit Court has adopted a five-phase restart plan to address the case backlog as the court restores normal operations. The phases are structured based upon consideration of a variety of factors. The phases are designed to assist in scheduling matters, both remotely and within the courthouse, to enable social distancing, and to protect the health and welfare of judicial employees, attorneys, parties and members of the public. Find more information.

Entry to Court Buildings

All persons who enter the building are subject to health screening questions and thermal temperature checks. Entry will be denied if a person exhibits signs or symptoms of illness or has been exposed to COVID-19 within the past seven days. All persons will be required to wear face masks when entering the courthouse. Social distancing measures will be enforced, and signage will be posted to note capacity limits in courtrooms and waiting areas. Find more information.

Jury Duty

Effective April 26, 2021, all criminal and civil jury trials in the Circuit Courts resumed and courts are fully operational. For further information, view the following documents:

• Circuit Court Start-Up Plan Following COVID-19 Emergency Closure (PDF)
• Seventh Amended Administrative Order Re-Imposing the Statewide Suspension of Jury Trials and Maintaining Grand Juries (PDF) 
• Administrative Order on the Progressive Resumption of Full Function of Judiciary Operations Previously Restricted Due to the COVID-19 Emergency (PDF)

Revised Criminal Case Postponement Policy

The Circuit Court has adopted a new written postponement policy to assist in rescheduling criminal matters when the Court resumes regular operation. A criminal postponement form has also been adopted to simplify the process.

• Policy Concerning Postponement Requests in Criminal Cases (PDF)
• Criminal Case Postponement Request Form (PDF)

Drop Box for Paper Filing

A drop box will be available at the entrance to the Circuit Court that is accessible from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to accept any paper filing that is not required to be made electronically through MDEC.

All legislative sessions, work sessions and required public hearings of the County Council are presently being held as scheduled. However, until further notice, these sessions will be held remotely via web conferencing. For more information, please visit the Council's virtual meetings page or call 410-887-3196.

Although the Council’s meetings are being held remotely, the public are encouraged to provide written testimony or comment via email at countycouncil@baltimorecountymd.gov or traditional mail.

All in-person meetings between Councilmembers and the public are cancelled for the time being. All meetings are being restricted to phone conferences rather than in-person.

Board of Elections Office Building

The Board of Elections Office in Hunt Valley open by appointment only. To schedule, please email elections@baltimorecountymd.gov or call 410-887-5700.

Rental Assistance

Baltimore County is accepting applications for the second phase of its COVID-19 Eviction Prevention Program, providing rental assistance to County residents who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are at risk of losing their housing. Find more information.

Evictions

Governor Hogan’s December 17, 2020 Amended Executive Order (PDF) states that for the duration of Maryland’s declared state of emergency, “No court shall give any judgment for possession or repossession, or warrant for restitution of possession or repossession of residential, commercial, or industrial real property, if the tenant can demonstrate to the court, through documentation or other objectively verifiable means, that the tenant suffered a Substantial Loss of Income.” The court has stated that if this language is raised, “this will be treated as an affirmative defense in both failure to pay rent cases and breach of lease actions until the governor’s State of Emergency is lifted, or the Executive Order is amended.”

To prevent the further spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order to temporarily halt residential evictions for failure to pay rent, subject to certain requirements, including the execution of a sworn declaration. The Order is effective from September 4, 2020 through June 3, 2021.

For information on housing cases and how they will be handled by the courts, please visit the Maryland Judiciary website. 

Utility Shutoffs Halted

County Executive Olszewski and Mayor Scott announced that neither municipality—City or County—will turn off water service for failure to pay.

In addition, on August 31, 2020, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) took emergency action (PDF) prohibiting termination of PSC-regulated residential utility services (electric and gas), charging of late fees, and provided for a transition period that allows residential customers time to apply for assistance programs or make payment arrangements with their utility. Termination is prohibited through November 15, 2020. Utilities may not begin sending termination notices until October 1, 2020—45 days in advance of a termination.

Find information about food resources in Baltimore County, including:

• Food distribution sites map
• Baltimore County Public Schools grab-and-go meals for students
• Meal distribution for older adults
• Saturday food distribution
• Pet food assistance

If you have questions or need assistance with food access, email food@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

You may qualify for monthly benefits to help purchase food. Learn more and apply here.

Visit the BCPL website for information about available services.

County Executive Olszewski issued an executive order providing an extension of all County licenses, permits, registrations and other authorizations until 30 days following the end of the local state of emergency. The order also authorizes the head of each government agency to suspend the effect of any legal or procedural deadline, due date, time of default, time expiration, period of time or other statute, rule or regulation that it administers. This applies to suspensions concerning payments of late fees owed to Baltimore County.

Status of Departmental Services

Find the status of services and changes in process for the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections.

Liquor License Temporary Delivery Allowance

The Liquor Board is temporarily allowing Class A, B and D license holders to deliver alcoholic beverages to citizens in Baltimore County only. Be advised you must adhere to Rule 9—Delivery Outside of the Licensed Premises of the Board’s Rules and Regulations (PDF). If you desire to take advantage of this delivery privilege, you must send your request in writing to the Board for approval. You may send a formal request by email to liquorboard@baltimorecountymd.gov. Any establishment that has been penalized for service to minors in the past three years will not be considered.

For questions, contact the Liquor Board at 410-887-3191.

Pay Submission Fees Online

The County Office Building is closed to the public, with the exception of the lobby, until further notice. The Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI) will continue to accept and process permits, reviews and licenses. Online payments and checks are now accepted forms of payment for designated services.

Once you have successfully submitted your application and received a reference number and fee amount from PAI, you can submit an online payment for the following transactions:

• Building Permits
• Electrical Permits
• Plumbing Permits
• Water Meter Permits
• Development Review
• Zoning Review
• Electrical License Renewal

Find more information about how to pay your submission fee online.

Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS)

Visit the BCPS website for details about hybrid learning and changes to the school schedule.

Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)

CCBC has implemented a phased plan for returning to campus. Visit the CCBC website.

Effective Monday, May 17, all Department of Recreation and Parks services will resume. Please note some will be modified. Resuming services include:

• Permits to indoor facilities  
• Indoor nature classes and programs 
• Indoor games and scrimmages 
• Indoor tournaments  
• Licensed day care at all locations 
• Indoor tennis courts 
• Stage rental requests
• Rocky Point Beach (will open on Friday, May 28) 

Already open:

• County parks, trails and open spaces 
• Picnic areas 
• Disc golf courses  
• Horseshoe pits 
• Playgrounds 
• Pickleball courts 
• Outdoor basketball courts 
• Outdoor tennis courts 
• Dog parks 
• Skate parks 
• Recreational fishing 
• Boating 
• Field and diamond permits  
• Outdoor games and scrimmages 
•  Outdoor tournaments 
•  Loch Raven Fishing Center 
•  PAL centers
• Licensed day care at select locations
• Pavilion reservations 
• Outdoor nature classes and programs   
• Outdoor restroom facilities (modified in line with facility needs) 
• Portable restrooms

Senior centers are open by appointment only. All members interested in participating in in-person activities must attend an orientation and registration session. Learn more about the reopening plans.

Virtual Senior Center Programs

Baltimore County senior centers are offering online classes for older adults over Zoom. Classes range from preexisting class options, including Tai Chi, Foreign Language, Strength Training and Cooking, to more individual programming, such as group Happy Hours. To find the full list of Senior Center Online Classes, please visit the Department of Aging's website.

Residential Drop-off Centers Open

The County’s Residential Drop-Off Centers are open to the public with normal operating hours (including the usual holiday schedule). Visitors and employees are required to wear masks onsite and adhere to all social distancing guidelines. These requirements will be strictly enforced. Driver's licenses will still be scanned to confirm residency. The following sites are open:

• Eastern Sanitary Landfill—6259 Days Cove Road, 21162
• Central Acceptance Facility—201 West Warren Road, 21030
• Western Acceptance Facility—3310 Transway Road, 21227

Yard Waste Collection Continues

Yard waste materials will be collected from Baltimore County residents with “Y” days on their schedule. 

While residents may set out an unlimited number of bags of yard materials, the collector may not collect all of the bags on the same day. Collectors must make trash collection their first priority, and must take into account all of the residents on their route. Residents are asked to leave their yard materials out until collection occurs. Find information about collection requirements.

Trash Pickup Continues

During the current pandemic, the County’s trash and recycling pickup will continue to operate. Crews and truck drivers would appreciate residents carefully bagging trash and garbage to prevent the spread of disease. Find your collection schedule.