Metropolitan District Financing and Petitions

The Metropolitan District Financing and Petitions Office is responsible for the assessment and billing for all Metropolitan charges on the annual July 1 property tax bill. These charges are authorized by the Baltimore County Code 2015, Article 20 and the Executive Order. Property owners are urged to open their tax bill when received to review their annual charge since many tax bills are paid through a mortgage escrow. Charges include:

Property owners with questions about their Metropolitan charges should contact the Metropolitan District Financing and Petitions Office. Review all current Metropolitan charge rates.

The Office is also responsible for:

  • Handling inquiries for water and sewer availability.
  • Receiving and processing requests for petitions to extend public sewer and water lines.
  • Administering and coordinating design and construction of health-related and citizen-financed projects for sewer and water lines with other County agencies, securing methods of funding and repayment, and conducting public meetings to explain costs and payment options available to property owners.
  • Calculating and billing Food Service Surcharge for food service businesses.
  • Billing Industrial Wastewater surcharges.
  • Calculating and administering Wastewater Credit Allowances.
  • Administering residential swimming pool wastewater credits.

DISPUTES OR APPEALS

A dispute of Metropolitan charges must be made to the Director of Public Works and Transportation through the Metropolitan District Financing and Petitions Office within 240 days of the July 1 tax bill, which is February 26. Once a determination has been made by Metro Finance, a person has 30 days to formally appeal that decision in writing to the Director of Public Works and Transportation. This written formal appeal may be provided either via email at metrofinance@baltimorecountymd.gov  or via postal mail to the following address:

The Director of Public Works
111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 316
Towson, Maryland 21204

Any appeals shall be governed by the Baltimore County Code 2015, Section 20-5-110 and the Executive Order effective July 1, 2024.

EXEMPTIONS AND TAX CREDITS

Disabled veterans (who pay no property taxes) and their surviving spouses are exempt from payment of all Metropolitan District Charges as well as certain construction loan charges, such as water and sewer deficit charges, water and sewer property connection charges and water and sewer system connection charges. However, no exemption shall be granted for the special water and sewer installation charges (also known as the private plumber's bill).

Contact the State Department of Assessments and Taxation for information on how to apply.

Taxpayers who are 60 years of age as of July 1 and are eligible for a Homeowner's Tax Credit by reason of income may be eligible to have their metropolitan benefit and utility charges deferred. Sewer Service charges are user fees and cannot be deferred.

For additional information, call the Office of Budget and Finance at 410-887-4100. 

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT AND MAPPING

The Baltimore County Metropolitan District is the geographic boundary within which a property may be eligible to receive public water and sewer service. Eligibility for service also requires the correct designation in the Water and Sewer Master Plan. The boundary is surrounded by a 150-foot-wide margin within which properties may be assessed for and permitted to have public water and sewer service.

The boundary consists of the original description from the 1920s and 1930s and subsequent annexations continuing to this day. See Article 20 of the Baltimore County Code for law governing the Metropolitan District. For more information, email engineering@baltimorecountymd.gov.