Howard County Local Guide

Get to Know Howard County

Howard County brings together Columbia’s villages, historic Ellicott City, Elkridge and rural communities. Use this guide to find county services and confirm the property specific utility, collection and association arrangements that affect your move.

Lake Kittamaqundi in September 2022. (official website, opens in a new tab)Photo: DiscoA340

Howard County became a separate Maryland county in 1851 after its earlier designation as the Howard District of Anne Arundel County. Farming, milling and transportation shaped its communities, with the early Baltimore & Ohio Railroad reaching Ellicott’s Mills.

Columbia adds another chapter: a planned community of villages alongside older settlements and rural landscapes. The county’s museums, waterways and community institutions offer different ways to understand that history.

Guide Topics

Use these links to reach the guide’s individual pages.

Find the Right Office Find Property Records and Tax Bills Find Tax Information and Relief Plan a Renovation Understand Permits and Inspections Set Up Utilities and Care for Septic Systems Internet Access Recycling and Household Waste Repair and Housing Assistance Check a Contractor Enjoy the Area Your Guide to Settling In Settling In Owning & Improving a Home Time Outdoors History & Culture Libraries & Community

General information to help you find the right starting point. Requirements, eligibility, service areas, and application processes can change. Confirm details with the office or provider serving your exact address. Official links open in a new tab. Found a broken link or a changed office? Contact LizyTylerCo and include “Howard County Guide,” the link name, and what happened. Return to All Resources.