Frequently Asked Questions

Permit application is made at 30 N. Market St. in Frederick. Business hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note that permit application must be made prior to 3:00 p.m.

Yes.

You should contact the billing office at 301-600-2354.

Fluoridated water systems are listed on the Division’s Water Purification and Distribution page. 

Fire Hydrant Flow Test Requests may be submitted electronically by completing the online form.  

Alternatively, a written request may be mailed or faxed.  Please call 301-600-2945 for further details regarding submitting a written request. 

Requests for information about connecting to County water and/or sewer may be submitted using the online form.  Please call 301-600-2078 for additional questions and/or assistance.

These questions must be directed to the Health Department at 301-600-1726.

The Division of Water and Sewer Utilities (DWSU) is a member of "Miss Utility" (http://www.missutility.net/maryland/mdmemberutilities.asp)  which is a member of a "One-call system" that allows a person to notify the DWSU of planned excavation or demolition by calling 1-800-257-7777 or  811, or via an interactive ticket request system. 

Please note that Frederick County Division of Water and Sewer Utilities locators only mark Frederick County owned or operated water  and sewer lines and do not mark private lines.

Consumer Confidence Reports for specific water systems.

Frederick County Department of Procurement & Contracting has transitioned to Open Gov - a government-focused web-based e-Procurement service.  In order to begin, or continue to receive bid notifications as a current vendor, you must register with Open Gov.    Registration is FREE.  To get started, click here to sign up.

Go to Frederick County’s Procurement & Contracting Open Bids – Current Solicitations web page to view our open solicitations.

To view or respond to a solicitation, you must be registered with OpenGov.  Once you are registered, click on the appropriate listing and you will be forwarded to OpenGov  where you can login to view or respond to the solicitation.

Call the Office of Procurement & Contracting at 301-600-1067 and ask to speak to the Buyer in charge of the solicitation. The Buyer can assist you with all bid questions.

Bid openings are held virtually or by phone and are open to the public. Information on the bid opening is included on our web site, e-Maryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) and the bid document.

Frederick County government currently does not have a bulk trash pickup program. Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves, etc. can be brought to the recycling center on Reichs Ford Road free of charge during normal business hours: Monday through Saturday 7:00 am to 4:30 pm. Residents living within an incorporated municipality's town limits should contact that town to inquire about their bulk pickup program.

Per section 1-15 of the County Code, the policy is to remove any permanent object which the Division of Public Works (DPW) finds to adversely affect vehicular movements, traffic or pedestrian safety, or maintenance obligations by the county. This policy is intended to apply only within the county maintained rights-of-way. Any item sited outside of said rights-of-way shall be referred to the Zoning Administrator. For more information, please call 301-600-2930.

Frederick County will remove large wildlife animal carcasses (i.e. deer, bear, etc.) that are located within the County's right-of-way. To report large animal carcasses located within the county right-of-way, please use the County's reporting tool FCG FixIt or contact us at 301-600-1564. Please refer to the "Removal of Animal Carcass on a County Road or Right-of-Way Policy."

This decision is handled by the Office of Transportation Engineering, you may reach them at 301-600-2930.

To report a damaged guardrail or request a new guardrail installation, please use the County's reporting tool  FCG FixIt form or contact us at 301-600-1564.

The Office of Highway Operations mows behind guardrails two times a year, then treats the area to keep the weeds down.

If the mud is causing slippery or hazardous conditions, please contact Central Communications at 301-600-1603. If this mud is coming from an active construction site, please contact the Frederick County Environmental Compliance Section at 301-600-3507. If the mud is coming from an active farm, please contact Soil Conservation at 301-695-2803 (#3).

Please contact the Office of Transportation Engineering at 301-600-2930 for any new sign requests.

Highway Operations only clears sight distance at an intersection of roadways. Sight distance from private driveways is the homeowner's responsibility.

Please contact Central Communications at 301-600-1603 or the State Highway Administration at 301-624-8250.

Sidewalk maintenance is the homeowner’s or the subdivisions Homeowner’s Association’s responsibility

Per Frederick County Code: § 1-15-4.  OWNERS TO REPAIR SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS. After a sidewalk has been improved or constructed within the road right-of-way, either alone or in combination with a driveway entrance, the owner of land abutting the street area in which the sidewalk has been constructed shall be responsible for maintaining such sidewalk and driveway entrance in good repair, including snow removal. The owner of land abutting the street area in which the sidewalk has been constructed shall also be responsible for maintaining the space between the sidewalks and the curbs of the roadway or edge of road pavement and between the sidewalk and property line. After a driveway has been constructed, it shall be deemed a part of the sidewalk whether or not there is a sidewalk improvement extending along the balance of the frontage of the property for the purposes of repair. Requirements relating to the construction or reconstruction of the sidewalk as provided in this chapter shall be applicable to reconstruction of a driveway.

(Ord. 97-01-179, 1-21-1997; Ord. 14-23-678, 11-13-2014)

If you shovel your driveway apron before the plow comes through, always shovel snow to the right, facing the street. This will lower the amount of snow that will be pushed across your driveway entrance.

State Highway Administration's phone number is 301-624-8250 or you may visit their website.

Please contact Central Communications at 301-600-1603 after hours. During regular business hours (7:00 am - 3:30 pm), please call Highway Operations at 301-600-1564 or use the County's reporting tool FCG FixIT.

A guardian is a person, institution, or agency appointed by the court to manage the affairs of another, called a ward. The guardian may manage the person (Guardian of Person) and/or the estate matters (Guardian of Property). Maryland has specific laws which govern guardianship proceedings and the guardian's activities. Maryland also separate guardianship for minors (Frederick County Department of Social Services - Child Protective Services) and adults (Frederick County Department of Social Services - Adult Protective Services).

Frederick County Government closings and delays can be found on the County website, social media accounts, FCG TV, and by signing up for emergency alerts. For Frederick County Schools please visit www.FCPS.org. A variety of public and private entities notify local cable news and radio stations. 930 WFMD AM WFRE 99.9 FM WAFY KEY 103.1 FM DC News Now Comcast Channel 19 Frederick County Government Cable Channel 18 - Frederick County Public Schools Cable Channel 99 - Some of Frederick County's Municipalities, call your town office for more information

We contract this service to an outside billing vendor, AMB/Mars Billing They are based in Paduchah, KY and handle most billing issues.

For patients being transported by one of our Fire/Rescue companies, we have an agreement with local hospitals to forward insurance information directly to the billing vendor. 

Requests for bills/reports can be sent to emsdocrequest@frederickcountymd.gov

There are many times, for whatever reason, that your insurance information is not received or that the insurance information submitted is not current.  Our billing vendor will make every attempt to obtain your latest insurance information and submit a claim on your behalf.  You may also contact the billing vendor directly at 1-844-889-7701 to provide this information. 

Please contact our billing vendor at 1-844-889-7701 or the local office at 301-600-6869 or 301-600-1644 to have this corrected. 

Not all transports are approved by insurance companies, and many insurance companies will not pay if they feel the transport was not medically necessary.  Please contact your specific insurance carrier directly to determine your coverage and the reason your transport was not covered. 

As a Subscription Club member you are not billed for any balance that is not covered by your insurance.  However, we will file a claim to your insurance company even if you have a subscription membership. 

You can pay your ambulance bill by personal check or money order made payable to "Frederick County MD Ambulance Billing" and mail to: Frederick County MD Ambulance Billing P.O. Box 3660 Frederick, MD 21705.

We understand that an emergency can happen at any time, especially when you least expect it.  Please be assured that we are committed to providing you with excellent professional care, regardless of your ability to pay.  Our office will work with you to set up a payment arrangement that is comfortable and affordable to you.  Contact the EMS Billing Coordinator at 301-600-6781 for assistance.  

Please visit our Voter Registration section for information on options to register to vote.  

Please visit our Voter Registration section for information on options to update your voter registration information.

Frederick County, like all of Maryland has comprehensive list maintenance procedures to ensure only eligible voters are able to vote.  We follow the procedures directed by the Maryland State Board of Elections.  You can find out more about Voter Registration List Maintenance by visiting the State Board of Elections website.

Please visit our Mail-in Voting section for information on options to register to vote.  

Permit applications are made on the portal.

Permit status may be found on the portal.

The end result of the permitting process is the issuance of the Certificate of Completion. The Certificate of Completion is issued when all final inspections have been approved and the construction has been approved for use. It is sent to the applicant of the Building Permit. A Certificate of Occupancy is issued for new dwelling permits and non-residential permits.

The Permits & Inspections Department issues electrical, plumbing and gaming licenses. A Business license may be obtained through the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 301-600-1976.

If your property is not within an Incorporated Town or Frederick City, a permit for a fence is not required, because County Zoning regulations do not require a Zoning Certificate for a fence. Please check with Zoning Administration to confirm setback and height requirements.

Inspection requests are made by email (permits@frederickcountymd.gov) or you may schedule an inspection through the portal at https://planningandpermitting.frederickcountymd.gov/.

The permit number, permit type, kind of inspection, name (and company if applicable) and phone number are required. Requests received prior to 12:00 p.m. will be accommodated the next business day. If the inspector is unable to meet this request, the person that requested the inspection will be notified by phone. Please review the inspection procedures for more detail.

The inspector will leave an inspection sticker at the site along with a notation and contact information for further questions. You may also check the inspection status on the portal at https://planningandpermitting.frederickcountymd.gov/.

A Building Permit is required if the shed is 150 square feet (10 ft x 15 ft) or larger. A Zoning Certificate may be required if the shed is less than 150 square feet. If the property is located within an Incorporated Town or Frederick City, contact the town or city office for specific requirements.

Redecorating and minor repair jobs such as painting, wallpaper, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work do not require a permit.

Impact Fees are required on all new development to cover a proportionate share of the costs for capital facilities necessary to accommodate development impacts on public schools and libraries to ensure adequate public facilities are available in a timely and well-planned manner. More information on this and the fee schedule can be found by visiting the fee website. Contact Permits & Inspections at 301-600-2313 with questions.

Contact the Small Business Coordinator or Planning & Permitting Ombudsman by completing a contact form online.

FrederickCountyMD.gov/ApplicantSupport

Submit A Contact Form

They can assist...

• When you want to open a small business
• If you need help submitting an application
• If you need help navigating the application portal
• Don't know who to contact for help
• Need help understanding processes
• Want someone to review your process timeline
• Need help dealing with a challenging situation
• If you are a property owner and need assistance on a project

The status may be found online.  For questions, contact 301-600-3463.

Application is made at the Division of Permitting & Development Review, 30 N. Market Street in Frederick.

All information needed for fire permit submittals can be found on our website or you may contact us at 301-600-3463.

Visit the Zoning website (web path: departments/permits & development/ planning/zoning) for zoning descriptions and tax maps to view the current zoning of various properties. Questions should be directed to 301-600-1351.

You can check the status online at the Project & Permit Inquiry (web path: departments, permits & development/permitting & development review/check permit project status).

Proposed development plans can be found by visiting the Planning Commission website. A monthly development report also highlights major projects under review. Please visit Development Review Planning to access the Planning Commission and Development Activity websites.

APFO is the requirement that must be met to provide sufficient public facilities necessary to accommodate development impacts on schools, roads, emergency services (pending), and water & sewer. Contact Ron Burns at 301-600-6742 for questions.

FRO is the County’s adopted version of the Maryland Forest Conservation Act and is designed to protect and enhance forests in Frederick County. For more information about the Forest Resource Program, including development mitigation requirements, the forest banking program, forest planting projects, and the ecological information visit the FRO website. For additional questions, please contact Graham Hubbard at 301-600-1436.

Planning Commission for Development Review meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Visit the Planning Commission for information on agendas, minutes and staff reports.

Subdivision applications are routed for agency review and comments to be due within 3 weeks. Site Plan and Preliminary submissions plans are routed for agency review and initial comments within 3 weeks and subsequent reviews comments are routed for comment due within 2 weeks. Please find specifics on the initial review timeframes (web path: departments/permits & development/permitting & development review/development review planning/submittal process).

Construction Drawings are routed with a due date of 3 weeks. Second submissions are routed with a due date of 2 weeks, and all subsequent submissions are routed with a due date of 3 weeks. Engineering modifications, waivers and supporting documents are routed with a due date of 2 weeks. Engineering Field Revisions are routed with a due date of 1 week. Please review specific at the initial review timeframes (web path: departments/permits & development/permitting & development review/development review engineering).

• Treasury - 301-600-1111
• Transfer and Recordation Office - 301-600-6718
• Fax Number - 301-600-2347

The Treasury is located at 30 North Market Street, Frederick, MD 21701

Google Maps

• Frederick County
• Treasury Department
• 30 North Market Street
• Frederick, Maryland 21701

Real property tax is calculated by multiplying the tax rate by the property’s assessed value per $100. The tax rate schedule is available at Tax Rates.

The tax year covers the period from July 1st to June 30th. This represents the tax levy year. In Frederick County, this same period is also designated as the County's fiscal year.

• Brunswick
• Burkittsville
• Emmitsburg
• Frederick
• Middletown
• Mt. Airy
• Myersville
• New Market
• Rosemont
• Thurmont
• Walkersville
• Woodsboro

• First semi-annual installments are due September 30.
• Second semi-annual installments are due December 31.
• Interest begins to accrue on all unpaid balances on October 1.
• Supplemental and revised tax bills are due 30 days from the time of issue.

Historical results of the Tax Lien Sale

Transit Services of Frederick County, or Transit, is Frederick County’s public transportation system providing local bus service and demand-response paratransit services, as well as offering commuter assistance and employer outreach information. 

a. First, determine which route serves the area where you want to travel. For example, if you are planning a trip to FCC, consult the 60 or 61/FCC Connector route brochures. Google Maps is an online tool that can also be used to plan transit trips from your smartphone or desktop computer. Determine when you would like to arrive at your destination and look at the bus arrival times to determine which best suits your needs.

b. Next, determine where and when you will need to catch the bus in order to arrive at your destination at the desired time. Plan to arrive at the bus stop five minutes early. It may be necessary for you to transfer if the bus that serves your destination does not serve the area in which you plan to board the bus. If so, consult the route brochure for the route that serves the area in which you want to board the bus, and find the transfer point between the two routes. For example, if you want to board the bus at FSK Mall to travel to FCC, you will have to transfer from the 20/FSK Mall Connector to the 60 or 61/FCC Connector at the Transit Center in downtown Frederick.

It may be necessary for you to transfer buses to reach your destination. Use the route brochure or online schedule to find the best transfer point between the two routes. Google Maps lets you easily plan trips and provides real-time route information to help you better manage transfer points. 

Transfers are free for all riders. Alert the driver of your transfer destination point upon boarding your first route.  

An example transfer route: 

A rider who wants to get from FSK Mall to Frederick Community College (FCC) would have to make the following route transfer:

• Take the 20/FSK Mall Connector to the Transit Center in downtown Frederick 
• From the Transit Center, board the 60/FCC Connector 
• Take the 60/FCC Connector to Frederick Community College 

Six Connector routes offer deviated route service. Passengers may request a route deviation within ¾ mile of the route. If requested, buses can deviate up to ¾ of a mile off the regular route to pick you up or drop you off closer to your origin or destination. Requests for route deviations must be made one business day in advance. 

All Transit Services are currently free.

a. Transit's Connector buses serve Frederick City and urbanized areas of Frederick County serving medical, employment, education, and shopping centers. Six Connector routes deviate within a ¾ mile corridor of the route (by request).

b. Commuter shuttles operate each weekday between Frederick, North Frederick, and the Route 85 business corridor. The East Frederick shuttle serves the Spring Ridge area, MVA, and FCC Monroe Campus Monday through Friday. The Brunswick/Jefferson and Emmitsburg/Thurmont Shuttles operate Monday through Saturday.

c. Two Meet-the-MARC shuttle routes operate each weekday providing service to the downtown Frederick and Point of Rocks train stations; the shuttles serve the Monocacy MARC Station upon request.

d. Transit-plus, Transit's demand-response paratransit system is a curb-to-curb service anywhere within Frederick County.

Transit operates within Frederick County only. However, Transit provides service to all four of Frederick County's MARC train stations as well as drop-offs at locations where other services such as MTA's Commuter Bus, Greyhound, and BayRunner Shuttle travel out of County.

Transit-plus is a demand-response curb to curb paratransit service for older adults and people with disabilities. ADA paratransit is available for people with disabilities that prevent them from using the fixed route bus service in the City of Frederick and Walkersville. Pre-registration is required.

a. Commuter shuttles operate each weekday between Frederick, North Frederick, and the Route 85 business corridor. The East Frederick shuttle serves the Spring Ridge area, MVA, and FCC Monroe Campus Monday through Friday. The Brunswick/Jefferson and Emmitsburg/Thurmont Shuttles operate Monday through Saturday.

b. Two Meet-the-MARC shuttle routes operate each weekday providing service to the downtown Frederick and Point of Rocks train stations; the shuttles serve the Monocacy MARC Station upon request.

c. Vanpooling is an important and economical option for individuals commuting long distances. It is also good for the environment. This option is popular in the Metropolitan Washington area because of commuting distances to work sites. A company can give vanpoolers up to $130 in tax-free transportation benefits each month. Transit Services will assist new & existing vanpool/carpools in finding riders. Transit offers a financial subsidy for empty seats to vanpools in the first year of operation. There are three kinds of vanpools:

1.Owner-operated vans — An individual leases or purchases a van and operates the van independently. Riders generally meet at a central location and pay the owner a set monthly fee.

2.Third-party vans — A vanpool "vendor" leases the vanpool vehicle for a monthly fee that includes the vehicle operating cost, insurance, and maintenance. The vendor can contract directly with one or more employees. The monthly lease fee is paid by the group of users. Military personnel may also benefit from this vanpooling arrangement.

3.Employer-provided vans — The employer (or a group of employers) buys or leases vans for employees’ commute use. The employer organizes the vanpool riders and insures and maintains the vehicles. The employer may charge a fee to ride in the van or subsidize the service. Check with your company’s Human Resources department.

d. Ridematching- Frederick County is a member of the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments Commuter Connections. A computerized car and vanpool matching service is offered free to all commuters. Complete the on-line application at commuterconnections.org.

e. Guaranteed Ride Home - Follow the link to Commuter Connections for information and an application for the Guaranteed Ride Home program. Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) provides commuters who regularly carpool, vanpool, bike, walk or take transit to work with a reliable ride home when one of life’s unexpected emergencies arises. Commuters will be able to use GRH to get home for unexpected personal emergencies and unscheduled overtime up to 6 times per year. Restrictions apply, so be sure to read the participation guidelines. Best of all, the GRH ride home by taxi, rental car, bus or train is FREE!

a. Yes, Transit offers two paratransit services for persons with disabilities: Transit-plus and ADA Paratransit. The two services have different eligibility requirements and different service characteristics (including fares and advanced reservation requirements). Please refer to the Transit-plus Policies and Procedures (Transit-plus Normas y Reglamentos) for more detailed information about Transit-plus.

i. Transit-plus is our countywide, shared-ride, curb-to-curb paratransit service for older adults and people with disabilities. Trips are provided on a first-come, first-served space-available basis. Passenger trips will be coordinated to serve as many people as possible and to use our vehicles in the most efficient manner

ii. ADA Paratransit is a service provided only to individuals with disabilities who are unable to ride accessible fixed-route public bus service because of their disability. ADA Paratransit service is designed to ensure that the civil rights of these individuals are guaranteed as protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). ADA Paratransit is comparable to Transit's fixed-route and shuttle bus service in Frederick and Walkersville in terms of service area, days and hours of service, fares and response time as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and subsequent rulings of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.

Transit's ADA Paratransit is a component of our Transit-plus service. ADA Paratransit’s eligibility criteria are more restrictive than those of Transit-plus (which is available to any senior or disabled person in Frederick County), but ADA Paratransit provides a higher level of service than does Transit-plus in order to meet fixed-route comparability standards as required under the ADA. Persons who are eligible for ADA Paratransit are also eligible for Transit-plus. However, persons who are eligible for Transit-plus are not necessarily eligible for ADA Paratransit.

b. Route Deviation- Six Connectors routes -- 10, 20, 60, 61, 65, 80 -- provide deviated fixed-route service Monday through Friday. These routes operate on a regular schedule and can also deviate within a 3/4 mile corridor along the route by request. To request a route deviation, call Transit at (301) 600-1725 at least one business day in advance. 

c. Accessible – All Transit buses operated on our Connector routes in Frederick City are either ramp or lift-equipped and have two wheelchair securement positions on board. Twenty-three (23) buses are also equipped with a “kneeler” feature, which allows the front of the bus to lower five inches to make the step from the curb to the bus easier. Drivers will engage this feature upon request.

Yes. Each Transit bus has at least two bike securement locations. Commuters can bike to a Transit bus stop, secure their bikes on the bus bike rack, and ride Transit to their work sites. In addition, MARC and Commuter Bus riders may bike to the downtown station and use the bike racks provided to secure their bikes. MARC riders may also bring their bicycles onboard MARC Train. Visit MTA's website for more information on securing bicycles onboard MARC Train.

a. Each Connector and shuttle route has designated stops indicated by bus stop signs. Transit's primary timed-transfer locations are the Transit Center in downtown Frederick and Frederick Towne Mall/Boscov's along the Golden Mile. Seven Connector routes meet at the the Transit Center hourly. During early morning and late afternoon peak hours, six of the Connector routes meet every half hour at the Transit Center. Five Connector routes meet at Frederick Towne Mall/Boscov's hourly. During early morning and late afternoon peak hours, three of the Connector routes meet every half hour at Frederick Towne Mall/Boscov's.

Bus stop signs are clearly indicated by green and white signs. The signs indicate the bus number that services its route. Route brochures each contain schedules with stop locations and a physical map. Flag stops exist in the City of Frederick Historic District and along Shuttle routes where safe and practical.

a. Unless you are in an area where flag stops are permitted, you must be present at the bus stop when the bus arrives. Route deviation is also available with advanced notice.

b. Flag stops are permitted as follows:

In Frederick’s historic area (from South Street to 7th Street and from East Street to Bentz Street) flag stops will be permitted for all Connector and shuttle routes. You may flag the bus to stop at any traffic-controlled (stop sign or stop light) street corner along the route except: 1.Corners where the right lane must turn right and the bus route does not turn right 2.Corners where the bus route turns left from the left lane, and at 3.Corners where road conditions are such that a bus stop would be unsafe for passengers 4.On shuttle routes you may flag the bus to stop anywhere along the route within Emmitsburg, Thurmont, Brunswick, and Jefferson.

b. Route Deviation. Six “Connector” routes offer deviated route service. Passengers may request a route deviation within ¾ mile of the route. If requested, buses can deviate up to ¾ of a mile off the regular route to pick you up or drop you off closer to your origin or destination. Arrangements for route deviations must be made one business day in advance. 

All Transit buses operated on our Connector routes in the City of Frederick and Walkersville are either ramp or lift-equipped and have two wheelchair securement positions on board. Twenty-three (23) buses are also equipped with a “kneeler” feature, which allows the front of the bus to lower approximately five inches to make the step from the curb to the bus easier. Drivers will engage this feature upon request and can do so for any passenger. Smaller cutaway vehicles may have a lift. All services are free therefore no tickets or cash fare is needed. 

Service animals are defined as animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities and are permitted onboard Transit vehicles. Non-service animals, including pets, are permitted but must be secured in an appropriate animal carrier.   Transit operators reserve the right to deny entry if not properly secured or under the rider’s control.

Strollers are permitted on Transit vehicles.  Transit asks that you secure strollers, baby carriages, and portable shopping carts to ensure they are kept out of aisles.

All Transit Services are currently free. 

At Scott Key Center, the person-centered approach is at the core of everything we do. Staff members are committed to understanding the unique needs and goals of each individual and tailoring programs and support to meet those needs. By providing a safe, supportive, and enriching environment, Scott Key Center empowers individuals to expand their life skills, explore new opportunities, and thrive as active members of their community.

There are various options provide to access or obtain county GIS data. Please see our GIS Data Products page for more details.

There are various options provide to access or obtain county aerial/ortho photo data. Please see our GIS Data Products page for more details.

The Zoning Atlas allows you to select a pdf map based on your tax map grid. This map can be printed or saved locally to your desktop. Contact the Frederick County Zoning Administrator for more information.

Subdivision plats can be downloaded for free or printed at a cost. Please see our Subdivision Plats page for more details.

Frederick County provides several hard copy map products for download or to have printed for a fee. Please see our Map Documents page for more information.

Frederick County does not provide deeds or plot plans. Refer to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation Real Property Data Search site for your property deed book and page number information then use the MDLANDREC.NET site to search for your property deed documents or call the Frederick County Courthouse for assistance. 

Please see our Addressing and Road Naming page for more details.

Please see our Online Mapping Applications page for more information on accessing our online mapping applications.

It will take 2-10 days after the Addressing Request Form is received by the GIS Document Shop to process the form and provide a new address.

Yes. A written request for a change of address assignment is required to be submitted by the deeded property owner(s) with all the required data from the Addressing Request Form. Any changes in addressing cannot affect the existing addressing sequence of other neighboring addressed properties. New addresses are assigned by the county’s official addressing grid and are not determined by the property owner(s). If requestor is located on a common drive, any changes must correspond to the existing addresses off the common drive. For example, if all dwellings along a common drive contain alphas (5601A, 5601B, etc.) and the request is to change to numeric addresses, all property owners on the common drive must request the change to become a numeric format addressing sequences. The GIS Document Shop does not have the power to change or require property owners to change addresses after an address has been issued. All addressing changes must be submitted with written notice of the change from the county on county letterhead to help applicant facilitate the change, such as notifying utilities, U.S. Post Office, Maryland State Assessment Office, etc.

If you are building a new home in a subdivision, the developer should already have the address for your lot. If you require an address to be issued or verified, you will need to fill out the required items on the Addressing Request Form and submit the completed form with all the required data to the GIS Document Shop. You will need to include the following:

• A survey or site plan of the property including a location of the building to be addressed.
  Note: A sketch of the site plan is allowed if a survey does not exist.
• Driveway location
• Existing addresses adjacent to and/or near the requesting property.

No. The information required on the application form is critical and required to the process of assigning accurate addresses. When all of the required information is completed on the Addressing Request Form and submitted to the GIS Document Shop, an address will be issued within 10 working days.

• The assigned address is the primary method for emergency responders to locate you in an emergency. When you place a call using 911, the dispatcher reports your address number to the appropriate Fire, EMS, or Police and other first responders. In the event of you are having a health emergency and are not able to communicate when calling 911 your address assigned address number is displayed on the E911 dispatchers’ screen.
• The utility companies for electricity, phone, gas, cable, and government agencies for public water and sewer system utilize your official address for providing services.
• The U.S. Postal Service mail carrier and private delivery services make a delivery based on the official assigned address.

This depends on where you live. We offer a search tool on our website (link below) so you can check whether your street is plowed by the State, the County, a municipality, or if your road is privately maintained, such as by a homeowners association. If you live along one of the 2,700 lane miles of county-maintained roads, the Highway Operations staff is responsible for plowing.

Roads that connect to a State highway are priority roads.  Please see the Priority Roads Map

In major events our crews start by establishing a single passable lane on all roads. Then they work back through their routes, starting with priority roads, to clear lanes to their normal width.

The Division of Public Works does not endorse to employ stop signs to mitigate speeding.  A stop sign is intended to give hierarchy of one street over another.

Please contact the Frederick County Public School (FCPS) Transportation office at 240-586-8050. FCPS holds the primary responsibility for safe pick-up and delivery of children.

State maintained roads (i.e. MD 550, US 15, I-70, etc) are under the jurisdiction of The Maryland State Highway Administration, District-7 Office, 301-624-8100.

County maintained roads, are under the jurisdiction of the Division of Public Works. Call 301-600-2930 to discuss county road speed limits.

City and municipal maintained streets are under those jurisdictions. Please contact your town office.

The Division of Public Works (DPW) will only endeavor to erect parking restrictions and controls following confirmation of one of the three prerequisites: 1) Upon endorsement from any other County agency that the installation of said signs will better enable them to perform their enforcement duties. 2) Upon confirmation that parked cars constitute a hazard to motorists. 3) Upon confirmation of a maintenance issue such that the installation of said signs will better enable DPW to control or reduce our maintenance responses.

The County Office of Highway Operations will replace road signs (stop, curve, chevrons, etc.) and road name signs that are located along a county road. Please call 301-600-1564.

Please contact the Office of Transportation Engineering at 301-600-2930 or email for any new sign requests.

Contact Central Communications at 301-600-1603 or Maryland State Highway Administration at 301-624-8250.

Please contact Central Communications at 301-600-1603, or if calling within normal business hours (M-F 7:00 am - 3:30 pm), please use the County's reporting tool FCG FixIT or call Highway Operations at 301-600-1564.

Wastewater comes from our homes in the form of human and household wastes from toilets, baths and drains as well as from industries, schools and businesses in the form of wastes from factories, food service operations, shopping centers, etc.  On average, each person in the US contributes approximately 100 gallons of wastewater daily.

Treatment plants remove impurities contained in wastewater so that the treated wastewater can be safely returned to the environment.  The same stabilization occurs in nature, to break down wastewater to its most basic components of carbon dioxide and water, if given enough time.  Due to the increase in the earth’s population and the volume of wastewater generated, the natural process would be overwhelmed.  A wastewater treatment plant speeds up the process.  The cleaned water is disinfected and returned to local rivers and creeks.

All of the wastewater treatment plants operated by the Frederick County Division of Water and Sewer Utilities use Ultraviolet light to disinfect the wastewater discharge (effluent).

The daily treatment plant operation is conducted by highly trained and state certified wastewater operators. Wastewater operators are required to obtain and maintain state certification.  In order to become certified, the operator must be a trainee for 3 years and pass the state certification exam and attend a minimum of 30 to 46 CEUs of approved certification training, every three years to maintain their certification.  In addition to operations staff, a team of maintenance personnel are required to maintain the equipment at the treatment plant as well as over 432 miles of sewer line and 33 pump stations that are part of the wastewater collection system.

The Division of Water and Sewer Utilities currently operates 10 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).

The plants operated by the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities range in size from 5,000 gallons per day to 15 million gallons per day (MGD).

The Ballenger-McKinney Wastewater Treatment Plant is the County’s largest and most sophisticated treatment plant.  It was recently upgraded to provide Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) treatment to remove Nitrogen and Phosphorus and uses membrane technology to produce high quality effluent.  It has a permitted capacity of 15.0 MGD and is manned by certified operators 24 hours/day, 365 days per year.

Any products that are labeled as hazardous materials should never be disposed of in the sewer. Hazardous materials are often labeled as corrosive, toxic, reactive or flammable.  The list includes many items we have in our homes such as all-purpose cleaners, antifreeze, paint, paint thinner, pool chemicals, solvents and motor oil to name a few.

Many of the paper products labeled “flushable” should not be disposed of in the sewer.  For example, “disposable wipes” do not breakdown in the sewer and cause clogs in the sewers and pumps.

Animal and vegetable derived cooking oils and grease can block drains and sewer lines.

Homeowners can collect grease in a metal can and, once it cools, place it in the trash.  Restaurants and other commercial food preparation activities that generate a large quantity of fat and oil are required to have grease traps installed and have them pumped regularly to keep grease from entering the sewer.

The Division of Water and Sewer Utilities Environmental Laboratory and Drinking Water Operators collect water samples to use as a snapshot of the water quality in the neighborhood of sampling.  The results of the sampling are sent to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) which maintains water system compliance.  Water samples taken in neighborhoods are instrumental in maintaining excellent water quality.

Generally speaking, well testing is the responsibility of the homeowner.  There may be exceptions on a case-by-case basis.  The Environmental Laboratory has a list of private laboratories that can be used. Contact the Laboratory Supervisor, Christopher Baggett, at (301) 600-1597 to be referred to a local private laboratory.

The Frederick County Environmental Laboratory does not perform any lead and copper testing in the County schools.  This testing is performed by independent reference laboratories.

Let the oil cool, then pour into an empty can to solidify, then throw into the trash for final disposal.

Baby wipes, either soiled or clean, should NEVER be flushed down a toilet.  Only dispose of the wipes in a trash can.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is your primary contact point for questions regarding their Emergency Preparedness Rule. Neither Frederick County Emergency Management nor the Frederick County Health Department can provide guidance on compliance.

If you have general questions on emergency preparedness or specific questions on resources available in Frederick County, you may email EM@FrederickCountyMD.gov and staff will do their best to assist you.

Currently, neither the Division of Emergency Management nor the Frederick County Health Department require facilities submit their emergency plan for review or file nor do we provide approval of plans.

Frederick County does not currently have plans for any exercises that will assist meeting the exercise requirement of the CMS Preparedness Rule. Any future community based exercises sponsored by Frederick County will be listed on the CMS Preparedness Rule web page under the training/exercises tab.

You may wish to contact other healthcare facilities in your area subject to the Preparedness Rule to collaborate on an exercise. Sample tabletop exercise scenarios you can adapt to your facilities needs can be found on our CMS Preparedness Rule web page under the training/exercises tab.

Part of your communication plan should include telephone numbers to contact the Division of Emergency Management and the Frederick County Health Department should it be necessary during an emergency. In any life-safety emergency, both agencies can be reached by calling 9-1-1. For urgent, but not critical emergency needs after normal business hours, you can call the non-emergency 24 hour number at 301-600-1603.

During normal business hours with non life-safety or critical needs you may reach us at the following numbers:

• Division of Emergency Management 301-600-6790
• Department of Emergency Preparedness 301-600-1746
• Health Department, Public Health Preparedness 301-600-6052

If you require documentation that you have coordinated with us for your records, please email your communication plan to EM@frederickcountymd.gov. Staff will review the communication plan to ensure our contact information is correct, then respond to confirm or request correction.

Long term care facilities and dialysis centers have additional coordination requirements! If you are with a dialysis center or long-term care facility and need more information on your coordination requirements, contact the Health Department, Office of Public Health Preparedness at 301-600-6052.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services created a crosswalk which provides a simplified overview of requirements by facility type. For your convenience you can find a copy of that document here.

If you have specific questions about what is required for your facility, contact Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services directly.

The Water/Sewer Billing Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  It is located at 4520 Metropolitan Ct., Frederick, MD 21704. You may call us at 301-600-2354.  The office is closed for all County holidays.

Water and sewer charges are billed quarterly.  Billable water charges consist of the amount based on your quarterly water consumption (the amount of water that passed through the meter since the last meter reading) plus a fixed Ready to Serve Fee.  The consumption is billed on a tiered schedule (i.e., the first 8,000 gallons are billed at a certain rate, the next 8,000 gallons or portion thereof are billed at a different rate, etc.).   Billable sewer charges consist of a fixed amount based on your total quarterly water consumption plus a fixed Ready to Serve Fee.  If you only have wastewater (sewer) service through Frederick County, you are charged a fixed flat rate wastewater charge per quarter.

Ready to Serve Fees are fixed charges that cover a portion of the County’s cost for maintaining the treatment and delivery systems and administrative functions. This quarterly charge appears on each bill for both water and sewer and does not vary with consumption.

Frederick County collects the Bay Restoration Fee from all residential and commercial water and wastewater customers and from improved properties served by on-site septic systems and wells. This fee is paid to the State of Maryland. The funds are used to upgrade Maryland’s wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks in critical areas, and to establish cover crops to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus from going into the Chesapeake Bay. Additional information on this program can be obtained on the State’s website at: http://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Water/BayRestorationFund/Pages/Index.aspx  or by calling The Maryland Department of the Environment at 410-537-3000. Residential water/sewer customers are charged $5.00 per month, or $15.00 quarterly, on their water/sewer bills. Commercial customers are charged based on the average daily sewage flow. Well and septic customers are charged $60.00 per year and the fee appears on their property

tax bills.

All meter readings and billings are completed on a quarterly basis, on staggered cycles, based on the property’s geographic area. Depending on the date you moved into your property, as well as our meter reading schedule, your first bill may contain pro-rated charges for the portion of the initial three month billing period. If you think you have not received your quarterly bill, please contact the Billing Office at 301-600-2354.

We offer several ways to make payment, including EFT, check/cash in-person, or credit card online or over the phone. Please visit our website at www.frederickcountymd.gov/wspaybill to view all payment options and instructions.

Yes.  Simply call the Billing Office at 301-600-2354 and we can establish paperless billing for your account. You will then receive your quarterly bill and any late notices via e-mail. This service can be cancelled at any time by calling our office.

Yes, there is a Night Drop Box for after-hours payments located in the drive-through lane near the cashier window at the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities building located at 4520 Metropolitan Court, Frederick, MD 21704. Payments can also be made on-line at https://frederickcountymd.munisselfservice.com. On-line payments are posted to the account the next business day.

Yes, online payments can be made by accessing the Frederick County Citizens Self Service website at https://frederickcountymd.munisselfservice.com. A 2½ % service fee applies for credit/debit card payments and a flat fee of $1.49 applies for checking account payments.

Yes.  Call the Billing Office at 301-600-2354 and a representative can take your credit/debit card information over the phone. A service fee of 2½% of the payment amount will apply. We cannot accept e-check payments over the phone. E-check payments can be made on-line at https://frederickcountymd.munisselfservice.com.

Please use the envelope and bill stub provided with your bill, or as an alternative, mail bill payments to: Frederick County DWSU, 4520 Metropolitan Court, Frederick, MD 21704. Please include the payment stub with your payment and write your full account number on your check.

Yes, we can automatically deduct your quarterly water/sewer bill payment from either your checking or savings account. You can set up this up by completing a Recurring Electronic Funds Transfer Form. There is no fee for this service. You will continue to receive a bill copy and funds will be withdrawn 24-48 hours prior to the due date.

Yes.  Call the Billing Office at 301-600-2354 to add a phone number and/or e-mail address to your account. You will then receive additional notifications if we do not receive your payment.

Water/sewer bills are due upon receipt. If the bill is not paid in full within 30 days, a 1% monthly interest charge will accrue and a late notice will be sent to the mailing address or email on file for the property.

Water/sewer bills are due upon receipt. If the bill is not paid in full within 30 days, a 1% monthly interest charge will accrue and a past due notice will be sent to the mailing address or email on file for the property. Water service to the property is eligible for disconnection if the account is not paid in full within 60 days from the original bill date. Disconnections begin as early as 7:00 am on the scheduled disconnection date. A Late Payment Penalty will also be added to the account. It is your responsibility to ensure payment is posted to your account on time. Please note that we do not accept post mark dates. If you do not receive your bill or past due notice, please contact the Billing Office at 301-600-2354. We are not responsible for mail not received by the post office. Unpaid water and sewer charges are a tax lien against the property and are also subject to the Annual Tax Sale.

Please contact the Billing Office at 301-600-2354 to discuss the actions needed to have your service restored. The Billing Office is open from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

All correspondence regarding your water/sewer account can be mailed to Frederick County DWSU, 4520 Metropolitan Court, Frederick, MD 21704 or e-mailed to WaterSewerBilling@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

You can call the Billing Office at 301-600-2354 during normal business hours and a Billing Specialist can access your account balance information.

Yes, you can call the Billing Office to change the mailing address for your water/sewer bill. If you are changing the mailing address to send the bill to a Third Party, a Third Party Authorization Form would need to be completed and there is a $20 set up fee for this service and $5 quarterly bill fee.

There are many reasons why your water consumption could increase. Were you watering your lawn this summer or do you have additional people living in your home? Do you have a toilet leaking?

We would first recommend doing a dye test on your toilet(s). You can call the Billing Office at 301-600-2354 to request free dye packets be sent to you or you can use blue or green food coloring to test your toilet(s).  Do not use red food coloring as it can stain.  Simply drop the dye tablets (or if they were crushed during mailing, just pour the powder out) or put a few drops of the food coloring into the tank of your toilet(s) and wait 15 minutes. DO NOT FLUSH!  If any of the color shows up in the toilet bowl, the toilet is leaking. If you do not see any color in the bowl, check the tank of the toilet to verify the coloring is still in the tank. If it isn't, this is another indication the toilet is leaking. You can have a leaking toilet and not hear it.  Leaking toilets do not flood your home because they drain into the sewer lines. If ignored, your usage and bill can increase significantly in the following months. DUSWM does not offer account adjustments for leaks found inside the home.

If you do not have an inside leak, you may have an underground service line leak. Call our office at 301-600-2354 if you would like to schedule a service line leak check. There is a $50 fee for this test. Water leaks on the house side of the meter vault are the responsibility of the homeowner. We offer a one-time adjustment following the service line leak repair. Please contact our office for more information about this adjustment.

For more information about leaks, please refer to “Locating & Correcting Water Leaks in Your Home”.

Yes, a fee will be assessed if a check is not honored, if your bank does not satisfy an electronic debit or if a credit card payment is not properly authorized. You will receive a letter in the mail from us detailing the amount of the payment and additional fees. Payment for this balance will need to be submitted to us with certified funds (cash, cashier’s check or money order).

You can call the Billing Office at 301-600-2354 prior to your bill due date to inquire about a payment plan. You may also contact one of the following outside sources for financial assistance:

Salvation Army – 301-662-2311

St Vincent de Paul Society – 301-662-4676; located at 112 E. Second Street, Frederick, MD 21701. They are open Monday through Friday from 10:00am -3:00pm and require that you bring a photo ID with you.

As the deeded owner of the property, you must always receive the water/sewer bill because water/sewer bills are liens against the property.  Outstanding water/sewer balances as of Dec 31^st of each year will cause the property to be eligible for inclusion in the County’s Annual Tax Sale proceedings. You can, however, set up for your tenant or another bill payer to receive a copy of the bill in their name by completing a Third Party Authorization Form.  There is a $20 set up fee for this service and a $5 quarterly fee that will be included on each bill. If you would like to set up tenant billing, please mail the completed form, along with the $20 set up fee, to:  Frederick County DWSU, 4520 Metropolitan Court, Frederick, MD 21704.

Water/sewer accounts are liens against the property in Frederick County.  Therefore, if a tenant defaults on the water/sewer bill for a particular address, the responsibility falls to the owner of that property. The owner’s name always remains on the account, even if he/she has set up Third Party (or tenant) billing. They will receive copies of past due notices to forewarn them of the possibility that the water is scheduled for disconnection due to non-payment or the inclusion of the property in the County’s Annual Tax Sale proceedings.

Yes, this is called an out-of-sequence meter read and there is a $35 fee for this service. Please contact the Billing Office at 301-600-2354 for the next available read date.

When a property is bought/sold, the settlement company handling the property transfer is responsible for notifying our office.  Requests for a final bill must be in writing using the Property Transfer Request Form. If the date of settlement changes, the settlement company must contact our office to avoid incorrect owner/account information and additional fees.

When a property is bought/sold, the settlement company handling the property transfer is responsible for notifying our office.  Requests for creating a final bill for the seller must be in writing using the Property Transfer Request Form. After the final bill is paid, the deed can be recorded and a water/sewer account will be established in your name. If the date of settlement changes, the settlement company must contact our office to avoid incorrect owner/account information and additional fees.

No discounts or credits are given for filling pools or other outdoor uses.

If you are on Frederick County's water and/or sewer system, call 301-600-2187 (M-F 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.).

For an emergency occurring after hours, on a holiday or on a weekend call 301-600-2194.  Please note: Water shut off due to non-payment is not considered an emergency and staff at this number is not authorized to have water service turned back on.

If you are a CITY WATER AND/OR SEWER customer, you should call 301-600-1440.

Contact the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities’ billing department at 301-600-2354.  

Contact the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities’ Maintenance Department at 301-600-2187 during normal business hours (7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday).  Outside of normal business hours, on holidays or on weekends, call the emergency number at 301-600-2194.  If you need the water shut off because of work that you are planning to do in the future, you may call ahead and schedule an appointment.

The Division of Water and Sewer Utilities (DWSU) is a member of "Miss Utility" which is a member of a "One-call system" that allows a person to notify DWSU of planned excavation or demolition by calling 1-800-257-7777 or 811, or via an interactive ticket request system.

Please note that the Frederick County Division of Water and Sewer Utilities locators only mark Frederick County owned or operated water and sewer lines and do not mark private lines.

Because the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities (DWSU) is a member of "Miss Utility",  all marking is based on the locate requests that DWSU receives.  Anyone can look at the tickets at www.missutility.net.  On that page, under "Search and Status" select "Western Shore Maryland."  You can then search based off a multitude of items such as county, street, contact name, house number, city, etc.

Contact the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities’ Department of Water Purification and Distribution at 301-600-2945.

Since stormwater does not enter the County sewer system, this is not something the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities handles. Contact the Office of Highway Operations at the Division of Public Works at 301-600-1564.

Contact the Department of Water and Wastewater Maintenance at 301-600-2187.

Contact the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities’ Department of Water Purification and Distribution at 301-600-2945.

Contact Division of Water and Sewer Utilities’ Meter Maintenance Office at 301-600-1592.

If you need assistance purchasing food, the following resources may be able to help.

Food banks and pantries

Food banks are available in Brunswick, Emmitsburg, Frederick, Jefferson, Middletown, Monrovia, Mount Airy, Thurmont, Walkersville (Glade Valley), and Wolfsville. 

The Maryland Food Bank partners with many local food pantries and distribution centers. Look up the closest food bank at mdfoodbank.org/find-food/.

Frederick Rescue Mission, located at 419 West South Street, Frederick, offers a food pantry and a soup kitchen. 301-695-6633. Frederick Rescue Mission can be reached by Transit’s 20, 40, 50, 51 Connectors. Ride for free. 

Public School Meals

If your child attends Frederick County Public Schools and you are having difficulty paying for their school meals, contact FCPS Food & Nutrition Services. Applications are accepted throughout the year online. If you have questions, call 240-586-8152 or email the office. 

Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps)

The Frederick County Department of Social Services can assist a household to apply for SNAP benefits. Details are available at http://dhr.maryland.gov/local-offices/frederick-county/

Women Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program

For you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have children under 5 years of age, you may be eligible for WIC. Information on who is eligible can be found here. Call the Frederick County Health Department at 301-600-2507 to make an appointment.

Benefits

The State of Maryland offers several benefits through MyMDTHINK. Apply for multiple benefits at their portal. You will need specific information about all people, incomes, and costs for your household.

Health Care

Mission of Mercy provides free healthcare, free dental care and free medication to people who are unable to afford access to such care. A mobile clinic visits Frederick, Brunswick, and other nearby locations. Call for an appointment. Locations and schedules are available at www.amissionofmercy.org/. 

Low-cost health and dental discount programs are available to anyone living in Frederick County through the National Association of Counties' Live Healthy program. Details can be found here.

Prescription Discount Drug Program

If you live in Frederick County, you are eligible to participate in a free discount prescription program through the National Association of Counties' Live Healthy initiative. Details can be found here. 

Medical Assistance (Medicaid)

The Frederick County Department of Social Services can assist a household to apply for Medical Assistance / Medicaid. Details are available here. 

Health Care Connection of the Frederick County Health Department can help you to apply for health care coverage and to see if you qualify for medical assistance. Call 301-600-3124 or visit the eligibility and enrollment page of their website.

Mental Health

Being out of work and facing financial hardships can cause distress for individuals and families. If you need assistance coping, the Mental Health Association of Frederick County offers a walk-in crisis center at 340 Montevue Lane in Frederick. The clinic can be reached by Transit’s 80 Connector. Rides are free. 

You can also call the Mental Health Association's 24-hour hotline at 9-8-8. 

A network of therapists is offering free mental health services to current and former federal employees. People who are interested in the service should send an email to the Therapist Recruitment Project, and they will be referred to a participating provider. 

Cancer Screenings

The Frederick County Health Department may be able to help cover the cost of copays for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screenings even if a furloughed employee maintains their health insurance.

Benefits

The State of Maryland offers several health and human service benefits through MyMDTHINK. Apply for multiple benefits at their portal. You will need specific information about all people, incomes, and costs for your household.

Water/sewer

If you are having difficulties paying your Frederick County water or sewer bill, call the billing supervisor in the Division of Water & Sewer Utilities at 301-600-1025 to see what arrangements can be made until the shutdown is over. If your water or sewer bill is paid to a town or city government, you will need to contact that government directly. Links to municipalities’ websites are available here.

Additional assistance may be available from the Salvation Army at 301-662-2311, or the St. Vincent De Paul Society at 301-662-4676.

Electric 

Maryland residents can apply for assistance with their energy bills through the Department of Human Services’ Office of Home Energy Programs. An online application can be found here. City of Frederick residents can find additional information here.

Most Frederick County residents rely on First Energy (Potomac Edison) for their electricity. Information about the utility’s extended payment plan can be found here or by calling 1-800-686-0011.

If you live in Thurmont, contact the Town of Thurmont Municipal Light Company at the town’s municipal offices, 301-271-7313.

The Frederick Community Action Agency offers several financial assistance programs to income-eligible households to pay utility and fuel bills. You can reach that office at 301-600-2410.

Natural Gas 

Washington Gas provides service to many Frederick County households. You can reach their customer support staff by calling 1-844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427) or emailing them at customersupport@washgas.com. 

BGE customers can find information about making payment arrangements on their website or by calling 1-800-685-0123.

Financial Assistance

If you are having difficulty paying your Frederick County property tax bill, please call the Treasury Office at 301-600-1111 to discuss your situation. Mortgage assistance may be available from the City of Frederick’s Housing Counseling Office. 

If you are a renter, Beyond Shelter Frederick may be able to provide assistance. Information about the nonprofit's programs can be found at bsfred.org/. They can be reached at 301-631-2670. 

Renters and homeowners can find advice and receive services from the Consumer Protection Division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office. . 

The Frederick County Department of Social Services offers a variety of programs to assist residents who are struggling economically. To reach them, call 301-600-4555.

Check with your bank about any fee waivers, extended payments, and short-term loan options they may have available. The Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund also offers emergency loans to eligible active federal employees. https://feea.org/ 

The State of Maryland established a loan program for laid-off federal employees. Information is available at https://labor.maryland.gov/whatsnews/govmooreannouncesemergencyloanformerfederalworkers.shtml

Student loan payments are being collected by the federal government. The Maryland Attorney General recommends contacting your loan servicer to see what options are available to you, such as forbearance. 

Transportation

Transit buses are free to ride. You can find bus routes and other details here. 

Legal Assistance

If you are a federal worker who was wrongfully terminated, or if you are still working for the federal government and are concerned about your employment rights, you may be eligible for free legal support and resources. Visit the Workers Legal Defense website for more information.  

Recreation Programs 

If you need help paying for a child’s camp registration or other Frederick County Parks & Recreation programs, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Parks & Rec Financial Assistance Program. You can call 301-600-2936 or email parksandrecreation@FrederickCountyMd.gov with any questions.

Pet Food and Care

If you need help feeding your pets or providing them with medical care, several organizations offer resources. A resource guide for pet owners includes a list of national resources. 

Mental Health

Being out of work and facing financial hardships can cause distress for individuals and families. If you need assistance coping, the Mental Health Association of Frederick County offers a 24/7 walk-in crisis center at 340 Montevue Lane in Frederick. Walk in clinic can be reached by Transit’s 80 Connector. Bus rides are free.

You can also call the Mental Health Association's 24-hour hotline at 9-8-8. 

Families

Family Partnership provides support to families who are expecting or have children through the age of 3. They provide GED and ESL classes, employability services, parent and health education, youth services, case management, home visiting, and child development programming. These services are provided at 8420 Gas House Pike, Suite EE. Family Partnership's office can be reached by Transit's North Frederick Shuttle at no cost. You can reach Family Partnership at 301-600-2206. 

The Division of Family Services can refer families to community resources. (en español). The office can be reached at 301-600-1200 or DFS@frederickcountymd.gov.  

Clothing

Dress to Impress at 22 South Market Street (Suites 210 and 212) in Frederick and the Clothing Closet on 224 N. Church Street, Suite E, in Thurmont provide clothing. They are both run by the nonprofit Helping Hands and Caring Hearts, which can be reached by email here.

Entrepreneurs

If you are interested in starting your own business, the Division of Economic Opportunity provides resources to help get you started. 

Search for a Job

Frederick County Workforce Services offers resources to help people find a job, including career coaching, access to occupational training, and connecting individuals to community support services. They also list current openings at area employers. Services are available on a walk-in basis at 200 Monroe Avenue, Suite One, or by appointment. Call 301-600-2255. Workforce Services can be reached Can be reached by riding Transit's East Frederick Shuttle or 60 Connector and a short walk. Bus rides are free.

Workforce Services also helps individuals connect to the State of Maryland’s Unemployment Insurance benefits programs.

Check out current Frederick County Government Job Openings.

Other job resources from the State of Maryland include a career center and employment opportunities. 

Start Your Own Business

If you are interested in starting your own business, the Division of Economic Opportunity provides resources to help get you started. 

Further Your Education

Frederick Community College offers training programs and workshops. Find current opportunities here. 

1. Persons having ownership or custody of buildings are responsible for posting and maintaining address numbers in accordance with the Fire Prevention Code.
2. The design, style, and shape of address numbers must render them easily readable from the street, day or night. The numbers must contrast with the background and be separate from the mailbox.
3. Where conditions (shadows, overgrown vegetation, building location, etc) adversely affect the legibility of numbers, larger numbers may be required.
4. In some circumstances, addresses may be required to be posted adjacent to driveways, alleys, walkways, or other access ways.
5. Addresses must be temporarily posted for a structure under construction, as soon as work commences on the property. The numbers shall be permanently posted in accordance with the Fire Prevention Code prior to the final building inspection.
6. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letter. Numbers shall not be spelled out.
7. Addresses shall be posted within 3 feet of the main entrance. If the structure is more than 75 feet from the street or not visible from the street, then remote address signs shall be posted within 10 feet of the street and within 5 feet of either side of the driveway to the building, structure, or property and must be visible from either direction of travel along the main roadway. Remote address signs shall be at least 6-inches wide and 18-inches long, with 3-inch high reflective numbers.
8. Where more than 2 structures are addressed on a road or driveway, each driveway shall be posted (with a directional arrow, if needed) with its own address number.
9. Any 1 or 2-family dwelling that displays numbers designating the address prior to February 1, 2005 that are at least 3-inches high, shall comply with the size requirement of the Fire Prevention Code as long as they remain in place.
10. Where a structure / dwelling unit shares a common entry or driveway, numbers must designate the addresses in sequence.
11. Monumental signage - Non-residential properties shall have the address or address range incorporated into any new or modified monumental property signage. The numbers shall be no less than 6-inches high and visible from either direction of travel.
12. The street name may be incorporated into the signage to further aid in premise identification.
13. Street signs - When a sign is replaced or a new sign installed, the owner, property manager or Home Owners Association (HOA) must cause the hundred block of the address to be displayed on each sign erected / maintained.
14. Green reflective mailbox signs - These may be purchased online at www.interstate911.com (800-344-0528) or they may be purchased from the following fire companies:
    • Brunswick Ambulance Company - 301-834-8102
    • Carroll Manor Volunteer Fire Company - 301-874-5111
    • Emmitsburg Ambulance Company - 301-447-6626
    • Lewistown Volunteer Fire Company - 301-898-9988
    • Libertytown Volunteer Fire Company - 301-898-9193
    • Middletown Volunteer Fire Company - 301-371-6907
    • Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Company - 301-271-2666
    • Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Company - 301-898-5100

Failure to comply with the Premise Identification Ordinance is considered a civil fire code infraction and is punishable by a $25 fine. A fine may be imposed upon any person responsible for a civil fire code infraction for each violation. Each day such violation is permitted to exist shall be considered a separate infraction.

Valuable time may be lost trying to locate your home or business. For your safety, a Premise Identification Ordinance was created so emergency responders can locate your property in the event of a fire, medical, or other emergency.

Aerial luminaries which are commonly referred to as "Sky Lanterns" are prohibited for use in Frederick County, as well as, the State of Maryland.

The devices are typically constructed with oiled paper on a bamboo frame. There is a candle or a fuel cell ignited inside of the device and when the trapped air inside becomes heated, the lantern rises upward. The lanterns may travel significant distances before returning to earth and before the flame is fully extinguished. This action can result in combustibles at the landing site becoming engulfed in flames. As a result, the potential for a uncontrolled fire may occur involving a structure or vegetation.

The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Code 29.06.01.08T specifically addresses the issue of "Sky Lanterns". The code permits the prohibition of sky lanterns throughout the State of Maryland where circumstances make their use a hazard.

If you discover or have questions about possible fire or life safety hazards you can call the Office of the County Fire Marshal at 301-600-1479 Monday thru Friday 08:00 - 04:30. After normal business hours call 301-600-1603

You can order a Knox Box directly from the Knox Company's website. You must specify the purchase is for Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue to assure the correct key cylinder.

Please fill out this form: https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/FormCenter/Fire-Rescue-6/Fire-Report-Request-38.  Once you submit your information, it will come directly to our office.  Once the report is available we can send it to you.  

Information can be found on the Frederick County Health Department page here: Burn Permits

Please visit the Job Opportunities section for a listing of all current open vacancies. Each vacancy announcement will have detailed information on how to apply as well as a brief job description, statement of required qualifications and education, and the deadline to apply. 
After the job closes, the review process can take up to 10 business days. At that time, applicants will be notified of their status.

The Frederick County Smoking Policy prohibits use of tobacco products and related electronic substitutes, including e-cigarettes at any time in all Frederick County Government facilities. This includes all common areas, private offices, lunchrooms, restrooms, meeting rooms and lobbies. This policy applies to employees, visitors, patients, contractors and all other persons who enter into or work in County facilities.
If an employee is found smoking in a Frederick County facility, he/she will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Frederick County Personnel Rules.  

Written employment verification requests can be faxed to Frederick County Human Resources at 301-600-2314. An employee usually has signed a written consent for release of information, this should be attached to the written request. Please allow 48-72 hours for processing. Any questions may be directed to 301-600-1068 or emailed to Verifications@FrederickCountyMD.gov.  

Empower Retirement -For questions about the Deferred Compensation or Defined Contribution Plans:

Website: www.empower-retirement.com

Phone Number: 800-701-8255

Axis Plus-For questions about the Flexible Spending Plans:

Website:  www.myaxisplus.com

Phone number: 877-872-2125

Legal Resources Plan:

Website: www.legalresources.com

Phone number: 1.800.728.5768

Cigna Health Insurance Co- For questions about your medical or dental insurance, use the information that appears on your ID card. 

Website:  www.mycigna.com

Customer Service Phone:  1-800-244-6224

You can find those documents here http://agency.governmentjobs.com/frederickmd/default.cfm?action=agencyspecs 

The PMP’s practice for notification includes notices, in the form of a door hanger, that are placed on each property that abuts the scheduled work.  All residential properties that abut the road segments receive notices 2 days in advance of the planned work.  This notice is sent for the purpose of informing the adjoining residents of the upcoming work so they understand how their property may be impacted or what kinds of travel delays may result. This notice also provides a point of contact should they have any questions or experience any issues. The segments that have no scheduled repairs do not receive notifications. On the day of construction, PMP uses temporary traffic control devices for a one lane road closure to warn residents and non-residents and the traveling public of construction activities per the Maryland Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MdMUTCD) standards. 

Hot mix asphalt (HMA) patching is the technique used to repair tar and chip roadways. In previous years, the patching on these roadways was performed by in-house Highway Operations staff. This patching is now performed by PMP contractors.   A HMA patch is utilized to repair the damaged roadway area which tar and chip resurfacing cannot effectively repair, increase the pavement section thickness to provide additional structure and can be slightly sloped to ensure proper drainage.

The current procedure for driveway tie-ins depends on the material used to build the driveway apron. Asphalt driveways are milled or sawcut at a location to provide smooth transition when entering or exiting. The milled or sawcut tie-in provides a straight edge for the asphalt to prevent future peeling or cracking. Concrete driveways are more challenging. The current process uses a tack coat on the concrete and the asphalt is feathered in from the road edge to a location that allows smooth transition. Brick driveways are rare but are present in Frederick County. The tie-in for brick driveways involves milling the abutting asphalt edge and replacing during the overlay to match the existing brick elevation. A transition before and after the edge of the apron needs to also be milled. This tends to create a dip in the roadway and affects the finished ride quality of the new surface. PMP is currently exploring standard details to improve tie-ins to concrete and brick driveways. 

Generally, roadways are not widened as part of a PMP contract.  When the roadway is overlaid with 1-1/2” to 2” of HMA on top of the existing road, asphalt will roll off the edge giving the appearance that a thicker or wider section has been placed.

Shoulder drop-offs greater than 2” during patching or overlay of the roadway are DPW’s responsibility for shoulder back-up repair on all roadways, asphalt or tar and chip touched by the program. Roadways are backed-up in one of two ways.  Lawn areas that are mowed by residents receive topsoil and turfgrass establishment. Non-lawn areas receive CR-6 stone or millings as shoulder back up repair.  

Millings that are removed from the existing road during construction become the property of the contractor. DPW staff will direct any milling requests from a property owner to the attention of the contractor for possible coordination of obtaining millings.

There are three roadway surface types in Frederick County; HMA (hot mix asphalt), Tar and Chip and Gravel. There is a petition process in place to change a roadway in the Rural Roads Program from gravel to tar and chip. This process is currently in a moratorium until the new program is in place. There currently is not a process to change a roadway from tar and chip to asphalt. DPW will be working on a formal process (Standard Operating Procedure or SOP) to convert roadways to a new pavement type.

Hot mix asphalt (HMA) patching is a common technique used to repair tar and chip roadways when existing roadway conditions are in poor, fair, or satisfactory condition. When existing roadways are in poor condition, heavy patching using HMA and sometimes full reconstruction are needed. When a roadway is in fair or satisfactory condition, roadways are patched with HMA in areas experiencing distress. A tar and chip resurfacing is performed on roadways that are in good to excellent condition. Roadways are typically resurfaced on a 4-year to 7-year cycle based upon the roadway’s needs as described above. PMP evaluates tar and chip roadway conditions biennially. In previous years, the patching on these roadways was performed by in-house Highway Operations staff. Most all of this patching is now performed by PMP contractors.  A HMA patch is utilized to repair the damaged roadway area which tar and chip resurfacing cannot effectively repair. HMA asphalt increases the pavement section and can be slightly sloped which provides additional support and proper drainage that prevents future cracking. A tar and chip wearing surface is applied at ¼” to 3/8” thickness uniformly over existing conditions and has very little structural value. A pavement section is a series of road construction layers with the goal of distributing vehicle loads over a larger area so that it will not exceed the bearing capacity of the subgrade. An asphalt pavement section consists of a soil subgrade, stone subbase, base asphalt and one to several layers of surface asphalt. The soil subgrade and stone subbase are susceptible to structural defects from water penetration. The layers of asphalt are used to provide the needed extra support and provide cross-sectional drainage. A tar and chip pavement section consists of a soil subgrade, stone subbase and layers of tar and chip. Once cracking distresses appear in the tar and chip layers, the support system is compromised and can quickly deteriorate. Patching with stone and tar and chip would provide a shorter lived repair that ultimately would worsen and settle between recommended treatments. Full reconstruction would then be required which is far more expensive than patching with HMA and applying the wearing course. This repair method is an industry standard practice for tar and chip roadways as a tar and chip wearing surface is then placed over the HMA patch. 

PMP does not maintain gravel roadways. All concerns pertaining to gravel roadway maintenance can contact the Department of Highway Operations for resolution.

Per Resolution No. 02-23, The 2002 Rural Roads Program Resolution dated September 24, 2002, Exhibit A Item 4 Maintenance:

“A roadway designated as a rural road shall continue to be maintained by the County on a regular schedule, and in such a manner that safe public access continues to be afforded. These guidelines are intended only to pertain to the County-maintained rights of way, including, but not limited to, the travel way and any contiguous ditches. The County shall continue to maintain the road in a continuing, responsible, manner equal to the effort that existed at the time the road was adopted into the program. 

1. Rural roads may have dirt/gravel surfaces or sealed surfaces. The Division of Public Works shall undertake minor maintenance improvements and reconstruction as necessary to retain the integrity of the roadway within the normal bounds of regularly scheduled maintenance. For example, short lengths of road on steep hills may be surface-treated as deemed appropriate by the County to curb gravel run-off or erosion.”

 Per the resolution, the roadways are being maintained on a regular schedule to afford safe public access within County-maintained rights of way equal to the effort that existed at the time the road was adopted. Maintenance improvements and reconstruction are permitted as necessary to retain the integrity of the roadway within normal bounds of regularly scheduled maintenance.

The 2004 Code of Ordinances is available for purchase.  Persons wishing to purchase the Code should contact American Legal Publishing by telephone at (800) 445-5588.  The Code is also available by a link to American Legal Publishing’s website: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/frederickcounty/latest/overview.  Bills, Resolutions and Ordinances can also be found on the County Council web page or by clicking on the link in the left margin.

The State’s Attorney’s Office for Frederick County has the responsibility for prosecuting serious criminal and motor vehicle cases before the Circuit and District Courts for Frederick County.  The State’s Attorney’s Office may be reached at (301) 600-1523.

Unless your case involves the County as a party, we cannot provide information on pending court cases.  For further information, you may contact the Circuit Court Clerk at (301) 600-1976 or the District Court Clerk at (301) 600-2000.

Citizens needing legal advice on private issues should retain a private attorney.  You can search for an attorney on the Frederick County Bar Association website:  https://www.frederickbar.org/member-directory/, or visit https://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/findinglegalhelp. for additional information.

Please contact the Maryland Courts Self-Help Centers for free legal help with your civil matter at 410-260-1392 from 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Friday.

While this Office, along with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, provides representation for the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, any matters involving the Sheriff’s Office should be communicated directly to that Office at the general number: (301) 600-1046.  You may also contact the Maryland State Police at (301) 600-4150 or the Frederick City Police Department at (301) 600-2100 (for police matters within the corporate limits of Frederick).

The Police Accountability Board (PAB) receives complaints of police misconduct.   For more information, please visit the PAB website:  https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/8360/Police-Accountability-Board. 

The District Court Commissioners are judicial officers authorized to issue statements of charges and perform other judicial functions for the District Court of Maryland.  The District Court Commissioner may be reached at (301) 600-2009.

Homeowners with complaints about licensed contractors or with general questions about a home improvement contractor performing repair, replacement, or remodeling work may contact the Maryland Home Improvement Commission at (410) 230-6231 or (888) 218-5925.

The Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Maryland Attorney General handles consumer complaints about services rendered or purchases of faulty items.  The nearest office is located at 44 North Potomac Street, Suite 104, Hagerstown, Maryland, (301) 791-4780.  The Frederick office can be reached every 2^nd and 4^th Thursday at (301) 600-1071 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Our office does not provide representation to the Board of Education.  You may contact the Board of Education at (301) 644-5000.

Any accident or incident involving a citizen (non-county employee) which occurs on Frederick County property or involves a county employee should be reported to Risk Management via email or by calling Sareeka Whiten at 301-600-1425.

The Citizen Injury or Property Damage Report is a way for citizens to report accidents or incidents that occur on county property, involve a county employee or county operations and result in citizen bodily injury or property damage.  

FCG FixIt is an app citizens can use to report repair work that needs to be done to bridges, roads, playgrounds, or other county-maintained property - things that need to be fixed or corrected, not necessarily the result of an accident or incident.

For HIPAA complaints, please use the HIPAA Privacy Complaint Form if the incident involves disclosure of personal information by a county employee.

If you believe your or someone else's private health information has been shared or privacy rights have been violated by a county employee or department, you may complete and submit the Frederick County, Maryland HIPAA Privacy Complaint Form to report the incident for investigation.

If you are currently experiencing a sewer back-up in your home, contact Water & Sewer Utilities at 301-600-1825.  For after-hours, weekends, or holidays, call 301-600-2194.

Do not wait to take action to remove the water and mitigate damage. Document your damages. Call your homeowners or rental insurance company. Complete the Citizen Injury or Property Damage Report. Your report will be investigated and a liability decision will be determined.

Your e-mail will be acknowledged within two business days.

The transition is currently under way. Care options will be finalized by June 30, 2024. On that date, the facility will no longer be in use as a residential assisted living site. 

Identifying living arrangements, such as other assisted living facilities, returning to the community, or long-term nursing home care at Citizens or another comparable nursing facility of one’s choice.  

If you are currently receiving a subsidy, the County will continue to work with you on financial needs associated with your plan. This will be discussed and addressed during your individualized planning sessions. 

The team at Montevue Assisted Living is providing ongoing one-on-one support to create an individualized transition plan for each resident. Contact Rachelle Ayers at 240-772-9141 for planning appointments.

The independent senior living apartments announced recently are in Frederick County’s long term capital improvement plan is several years from completion and will eventually act as part of the service coordination model expansion.

The initial design work for this project is expected to begin in late 2027 or early 2028. This design work is required prior to moving forward with construction. The final completion date is yet to be determined.  

The County will keep the public informed as the project progresses and make everyone aware of opportunities as they arise. 

Service coordination is a model that includes engaging and assessing seniors proactively, developing individual service plans based on what matters to the client, and providing case management to ensure all necessary agencies and services are working together.

This model was developed by community stakeholders who are committed to addressing the needs of all seniors in Frederick County. 

A similar model is currently in place that will be used as the foundation for what the county is hoping to expand to additional seniors across our community. 

Transit Services has several options for route planning on their Routes & Schedule Information webpage. You can find additional resources about how to plan your trip and the ins-and-outs of riding the bus on Transit's own FAQ page.

All Transit services are currently free.

Any and all severe weather alerts, closures, and delays will be updated on Frederick County's Severe Weather Communications page, where you can view the latest news, information on closures, and report any weather-related issues in your area.

You can view the recycling schedule for your neighborhood by going to Recycling Information and using the Recycling Information help tool. Recycling pickup may occur anywhere from 6AM-6PM.

Please note that trash collection and trash bin replacement is handled by city governments or HOAs, not the county. Please contact your local municipality or HOA for information about trash collection.

To report a problem such as a missed pick-up or a damaged bin, please go to Solid Waste and Recycling and use the Report a Problem tool at the bottom of the page.

Frederick County has a number of pets looking for good homes ranging from cats to dogs to small animals like mice, guinea pigs, and turtles. You can view available animals for adoption by going to the Animal Control Adopt page.

The easiest way to contact the county directly about issues in your area such as downed street signs, unplowed roads, animal carcasses, and more would be to contact us at FCG Fix-It. Upon sending your request, you should expect to hear back from a member of our staff within 48 hours.

You can find all available permits and inspection services across the county on the Permits & Inspections webpage. 

To check the status of your permit or change its information, please contact the Permits office at 301-600-3463.

If you aren't sure if you need a permit or inspection and would like to ask a county staff member then you may want to try the Planning and Permitting FAQ page or contacting Planning and Permitting at 301-600-1153 during normal business hours

Most county services and bills can be paid online. A directory of all payable bill types can be found on the Online Bill Inquiries webpage.

If you would like to register to vote or make adjustments to your current voter registration, visit the Who Can Vote? informational webpage to learn more.

No. "Global Warming" refers to a general trend showing that the Earth's average temperature is increasing due to greenhouse gas emissions impacts on the atmosphere. "Climate Change" refers to the broader impacts greenhouse gas emissions have on weather patterns and Earth's ecology. Climate changes include things like rising sea levels, an increased frequency of severe storms, droughts, wind patterns that fuel wildfires, and losses and shifts in species due to habitat changes.

Frederick County is projected to experience gradual increases in daily average temperature as well as more days with extreme heat each year. The number of extreme heat days—where temperatures hit 95°F or above— is expected to increase from a historically observed 2-3 days per year to a future estimated 19-26 days per year by 2050 and 27-62 days by 2090. Impacts of higher temperatures include greater energy needs and threats to human health. 

The total amount of precipitation falling each year is not projected to change greatly, but rain events will become less frequent and more intense. Heavy rainfall events elevate the risk of flooding. Flooding is a major risk for the County, which has experienced nine major storms with disaster declarations for consequent flooding since 1953. Winter storms are becoming more intense, and it is forecast that the County may experience 10 to 11 severe winter events each year, up from 6 to 7 in 2017.

As precipitation falls less frequently, the risk of droughts is projected to increase, which could be especially damaging for the County’s agriculture. 

The impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed. Minority, disabled, elderly, youth, and low-income populations are more at risk because they may have a difficult time recovering from property damage and interruptions in school or employment, affording repairs or relocation costs, or accessing necessary health or social services after extreme weather events. Minority and low-income communities are often more exposed to climate risks, such as living in areas with less tree cover, which has been linked to higher average temperatures. The County’s community is less vulnerable to climate impacts than the average county in the United States based on socioeconomic, household composition, minority status, and housing type and transportation. Investments in climate resilience will have the greatest impact in areas in the County that are at higher risk to climate impacts due to socioeconomic characteristics and exposure to climate hazards.

Our Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) will be a document that outlines both climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. It will establish greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and identify specific actions to achieve those goals. The plan will be developed through a robust stakeholder and public engagement process. 

By providing a guide for achieving greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets at a community-wide scale, the CEAP identifies efficient, effective, and economical opportunities for local governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals to work together to build a more resilient community.

Climate change mitigation describes actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. doing so can slow down climate change and lessen the severity of its impacts. Examples of simple mitigation actions include switching from oil heat to energy-efficient heat pumps; insulating and weatherizing buildings to use less energy; switching to an electric vehicle; using solar energy; and composting food waste. 

Climate change adaptation is about making changes to infrastructure and services to respond to the impacts of climate change. Examples of adaptation measures include improving stormwater systems to better manage intense storm events; making cooling centers available during heat waves; and upgrading water storage and irrigation systems to handle droughts.

A Greenhouse Gas Inventory is an accounting, analysis, and report of greenhouse gas emissions produced by community activities within various categories, such as transportation, agriculture, waste, buildings, electricity, and other sources. We are looking at emissions produced across Frederick County to help us identify the largest sources of emissions and strategize ways to reduce them.