Environmental Health Permits & Licensing
Permits and licenses for St. Mary’s County residents
Permits & Licensing
The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) processes and assists with various permits and licenses for St. Mary’s County residents.
Food Facility Licensing
SMCHD’s Food Safety Program works to protect St. Mary’s County residents and visitors from foodborne illnesses by working with local food service facilities to ensure safe food handling and preparation practices. SMCHD monitors and issues licenses to all permanent, seasonal, and temporary food service facilities in the county. The health department also has primary jurisdiction that extends to the construction, renovation, and remodeling of food service facilities.
Public Swimming Pools Program
Public pools and spas must submit an application for a permit every year, request a pre-opening inspection, and then receive routine inspections and water chemistry testing. New pool and spa facilities or facilities undergoing remodeling must have their plans reviewed and approved by the Maryland Department of Health Division of Community Services before they may be constructed or remodeled.
On-Site Septic System
The Environmental Health Division receives applications for the construction or expansion of individual septic systems. When a septic system fails, SMCHD staff also reviews applications for repairs.
Building Permit Process
SMCHD reviews all building permit application requests and is responsible for determining that an adequate and safe water supply and means for sewage disposal are being proposed or already exist.
Campground Inspection
The Environmental Health Division is responsible for completing annual inspections, issuing permits, and investigating complaints for all campgrounds in St. Mary’s County.
Daycare Inspection
This program supports the agencies that regulate and permit licensed and family day care facilities, foster care homes, alternatives for youth homes, adoption applicants, and adult foster care homes.
Well Certification Program
The Well Certification Program certifies the potability of all residential drinking water wells, both for new construction and for the replacement of existing wells.
Sewage Sludge Land Program
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is responsible for permitting sewage sludge land applications.
Outdoor Music Festival Site
According to the Code of Maryland Regulations, a permit is required if 1,000 or more spectators are expected to be in attendance for outdoor music festivals. The Environmental Health Division evaluates outdoor music festival site plans and determines if a permit may be issued.
Campground Inspections
The Environmental Health Division is responsible for completing annual inspections, issuing permits, and investigating complaints for all campgrounds in St. Mary’s County. This program operates in conjunction with the Maryland Department of the Environment water-testing program.
To search for campground related regulations, visit Maryland State Regulatory Code at www.dsd.state.md.us/comar.
Mobile Homes Inspections
The St. Mary’s County Health Department conducts annual inspections of mobile home parks in the county. These inspections ensure that all Maryland state health regulations are met and that plumbing is hooked up correctly so as to protect residents from waterborne illnesses. Follow-up inspections are conducted as needed.
To search for mobile home related regulations, visit Maryland State Regulatory Code at www.dsd.state.md.us/comar.
Child Care Facility Inspections
This program supports the agencies that regulate and permit licensed and family child care facilities, foster care homes, alternatives for youth homes, adoption applicants, and adult foster care homes.
Staff members respond to requests by applicants and organizations to provide basic sanitary surveys of the residence to be permitted as a care site. The survey involves bacteriological water sampling, a septic system visual inspection, and observations about any other obvious environmental hazards that exist at the applicant residence.
The Environmental Health Division charges a water sample request fee to schedule the sanitary survey. In addition, a lab analysis fee is charged by the State Laboratories Administration, which is sent directly to the State Laboratories by the applicant. There is no additional charge for any follow-up testing or survey work to complete the application review after the initial fee.
If you would like more information about this program or would like to report a concern, please contact the health department at smchd.healthdept@maryland.gov or call 301-475-4321.
Additional Resources
Sewage Sludge Utilization
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is responsible for permitting sewage sludge utilization on land. For more information, contact the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Sewage Sludge Utilization Section at 401-537-3314.
Additional Resources
Food Facility Licensing
The goal of the Food Safety Program is to protect the health of St. Mary’s County residents and visitors at local food service facilities. Health department inspectors are responsible for issuing licenses to all permanent, seasonal, and temporary food service facilities in the county. The health department has primary jurisdiction that extends also to the construction, renovation, and remodeling of food service facilities. To learn if your facility is not required to hold an annual food service license, click here.
Application & Licensing
Owner/operators for newly constructed, renovated, or remodeled facilities must submit a Plan Review Application Packet to the health department. After the plans have been reviewed and approved, the Food Service Annual Operating License Packet should be submitted, and pre-opening inspections can be scheduled.
Mobile Units
Mobile units that wish to operate only in St. Mary’s County should submit an application for plan review renovation, and complete the Mobile Unit Plan Review Checklist. Mobile Units that have a current license in another Maryland county and wish to be licensed in St. Mary’s should submit an application for a Mobile Unit Reciprocity License. All mobile units are required to have a commissary or base of operations; please submit the Commissary Agreement Form with the application.
Temporary License
Temporary food service facilities also are required to adhere to state regulations. Download the Temporary Food Service Facility License Packet to find important information regarding the permitting process. See the fact sheet below for definitions of food service facilities.
Cottage Foods
Maryland’s modified Cottage Food Law allows citizens to operate from a home-based kitchen or on-farm food processing kitchen to produce “cottage foods”. A “cottage food” product is a non-hazardous food sold at a farmer’s market or public events. Learn more on cottage foods.
Environmental Health Division
Office Hours & Location
Phone: (301) 475-4321
Email: smchd.env@maryland.gov
Fact Sheets
- Food Service Facilities
- General Food Safety Guidelines
- Consumer Advisory
- Fee Schedule
- So You Want to Operate a Temporary Food Service
- Grease Trap Fact Sheet
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan
Posters for Food Service Facilities
- Food Allergies [English & Español]
- Hand Washing [English & Español]
- Choking Response American Red Cross
Additional Resources
Well Certification Program
The Well Certification Program certifies the potability of all residential drinking water wells, both for new construction and for the replacement of existing wells. Applications for well construction permits are accepted only from licensed well drillers.
Although it is not necessary to test well water samples regularly, the health department will collect and test a new water sample at the request of the owner. A standard sample collection fee is charged.
A staff member will assist in determining which laboratory tests are necessary. (Additional laboratory fees vary.)
For more information, please contact the health department at smchd.healthdept@maryland.gov or call 301-475-4321.
Well Permitting
Potable water supplies, monitoring, agriculture, and geothermal wells are all wells that require a Maryland Licensed Well Driller to obtain a permit from the Health Department. These permits are reviewed to ensure that all information is correct and that the proposed well meets the required setbacks from property lines, structures, and potential sources of contamination. Some wells require additional Special Conditions during the construction of the well due to the property location and the proximity of potential sources of contamination.
Additional Resources
Outdoor Music Festival Site Planning
Are you planning to promote or hold an outdoor music festival? According to the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR 10.16.05), a permit is required if 1,000 or more spectators are expected to be in attendance. COMAR regulations define an outdoor music festival as a group of persons participating in musical entertainment in open spaces and not in a permanent structure and not on publicly owned property. The health department’s Environmental Health Division evaluates outdoor music festival site plans and determines if a permit may be issued.
To download an application for an Outdoor Music Festival, click here.
For questions about Outdoor Music Festival activities, please contact the Environmental Health Division at 301-475-4321.
Although it is not necessary to test well water samples regularly, the health department will collect and test a new water sample at the request of the owner. A standard sample collection fee is charged.
A staff member will assist in determining which laboratory tests are necessary. (Additional laboratory fees vary.)
For more information, please contact the health department at smchd.healthdept@maryland.gov or call 301-475-4321.
Submit a Complaint
If you have a concern about a facility in St. Mary’s County you recently visited, please contact the health department at smchd.healthdept@maryland.gov or call 301-475-4321.
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