Overview of Incorporated Municipalities in Maryland
Incorporated places in Maryland are self-governing municipalities chartered as cities, towns, or villages. Among the powers granted to municipalities is the authority to impose property taxes and annually set property tax rates for municipal taxation. For Baltimore and Howard county Map and Parcel search use 000 as a default town code.
Unique Characteristics of Maryland Towns
District Heights is an incorporated municipality in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The population was 5,837 at the 2010 census. Montgomery County is the most populous county in Maryland with a population of 1,058,810 in 2019. Thurmont is generally an okay place to live with a fairly low crime rate.
The town’s name was changed to Thurmont by an act of the Maryland General Assembly on January 18, 1894.
Easton is the county seat of Talbot County, Maryland. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Easton is 1 in 44.
Becoming an Incorporated Town in Maryland
To become an incorporated town in Maryland, you need to be chartered as a city, town or village by an Act of the Maryland General Assembly or by a local referendum. Some of the key steps include:
- Select a unique business name for your town
- Appoint a registered agent
- File articles of incorporation with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
- Pay the $100 filing fee plus $20 organization fee
- Create municipal bylaws
Incorporated places in Maryland have elected local officials and act as separate legal entities, unlike unincorporated communities. Processing an application to become an incorporated town takes around 7 business days in Maryland.
Facts about Maryland’s Incorporated Municipalities
Maryland has 157 incorporated municipalities consisting of cities, towns, or villages spread across 23 counties. Baltimore is the largest city with 557,045 inhabitants in 2024. The 10 biggest cities are Baltimore, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bowie, Hagerstown, Annapolis, College Park, Salisbury, and Laurel.
St. Mary’s City, founded in 1634, is Maryland’s oldest settlement and the 4th oldest in the U.S. Baltimore City operates as an independent county-equivalent responsible for public schools.
Maryland has no minor civil divisions like townships. Areas outside municipalities have no local government below the county level. Municipal authority and power are equal across cities, towns, and villages.
Germantown in Montgomery County was founded in the 19th century. Maryland’s five regions are the Western, Capital, Central, Southern, and Eastern Shore. Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick, and Carroll counties are in Western Maryland.