LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County commissioners will hold a public hearing next month to gather input on proposed amendments to the county’s Building Excise Tax Ordinance, a revenue measure tied to new development and infrastructure funding.
County officials said the proposed amendments are intended to clarify how the existing excise tax is applied and administered, rather than expand or increase the tax itself. The ordinance, which took effect in July 2023 following state authorization, requires new development to contribute toward the cost of public infrastructure such as schools, roads, parks, and public safety facilities.
According to the county attorney’s office, the amendments are designed to ensure the tax is applied uniformly throughout St. Mary’s County, including within incorporated municipalities. While the tax was enacted as a countywide measure, officials said clearer language is needed to remove ambiguity and ensure consistent enforcement regardless of where development occurs.
Other proposed changes focus on administrative procedures. One amendment would shift the timing of tax collection from the issuance of a building permit to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, aligning payment with when a building is ready for use. County officials said the change is intended to reduce refund disputes and create a single, predictable collection point.
The proposal also outlines how the tax would be collected and remitted when certificates of occupancy are issued by municipalities rather than the county. Under the amendment, municipalities would collect the tax and forward the revenue to the county, addressing what officials described as an enforcement gap in the current ordinance.
County leaders emphasized that the amendments would not change tax rates, alter how revenue is allocated, expand the scope of the ordinance, or introduce new categories of taxation. Instead, they said the revisions are meant to preserve the original intent of the excise tax by promoting transparency, consistency, and fairness.
Residents may participate in the public hearing in person or submit comments by email, mail, or prerecorded video. The hearing will also be broadcast on local government television and online.
The public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Chesapeake Building, 41770 Baldridge Street, in Leonardtown.
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