Business Licenses

Congratulations on opening a new business in Calvert County!

Getting Started

To obtain a license, you must first determine what type of license you need, if any. The Clerk's Office issues several types of licenses on behalf of the Comptroller of Maryland and the Calvert County Government. The Clerk's Office will be happy to provide information regarding any of the licenses we issue and to assist with any of your procedural questions. Contact us at (410) 535-1600 ext. 2264. However, we cannot provide any legal advice or be responsible for determining the type of license you should purchase.

You can quickly obtain access to information on the permits and licenses you may need to start, relocate, or expand a business in Maryland by using the following links:

How to Apply
If you determine that you need a license that is issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, you will need to appear in person to process the business license application.  Currently, applications are processed only in an E-License format by presenting the information in person. You may begin the process by presenting the information online through E-License, but you must still visit our office to process the application. Our office is located at the Courthouse, 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.

1) Complete the application by providing the following information to the Clerk:

  • Type of license for which you are applying
  • Owner's name (Individual, Corporation, etc.)
  • Location address
  • Mailing address
  • Social Security Number or Federal Tax Identification Number
  • Phone Number
  • Worker's Compensation Policy Number or Certificate of Compliance Corporate ID Number and number of employees (if applicable)
  • Amount of inventory, if applying for a Trader's License
  • Number of Vending Machines, if applying for a Vending Machine License
  • VIN number of vehicle, if applying for a Junk Dealer's License


2) The application must be signed by the Owner or a Corporate Officer.

3) Obtain the following necessary approval signatures: (obtain in order listed)

  • Planning & Zoning - must approve ALL new licenses and any changes of business location address. Planning & Zoning is located in the County Services Plaza, 150 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 (410) 535-2346
  • Assessment & Taxation - located across from the Courthouse in the Louis L. Goldstein State Office Building, 2nd floor, 200 Duke Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. (443) 550-6840
  • Calvert County Treasurer's Office - located 1st floor, Courthouse, 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. (410) 535-1600 ext. 2272

4) Pay required license fees to the Clerk of the Circuit Court- cash, check, Visa, Discover or Mastercard accepted.

General Information
Courtesy copies of the applications for retail sales tax and trade name registration are available upon request. Please contact the appropriate issuing agency for more information about those applications or for information about other types of licenses not issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Scrap Metal Licenses
Please read the memo from the Comptroller of Maryland regarding Scrap Metal Licenses.

Tobacconists and Other Tobacco Products Retailers
For more information regarding our 2 new license types, please read the following handouts from the Comptroller's Office:
TT-13 (frequently asked questions)
TT-68 (House Bill 88 - Other Tobacco Products Retailers, Tobacconists)

Trader's License

Trader's license fee is based on the wholesale value of your retail inventory. Please refer to the following chart for the fees. All licenses include a $2.00 issuing fee for each type of license.

Trader's License Fees -
All Counties Excluding Baltimore City
INVENTORY AMOUNTFEE
0to1,00015
1,001to1,50018
1,501to2,50020
2,501to4,00025
4,001to6,00030
6,001to8,00040
8,001to10,00050
10,001to15,00065
15,001to20,00080
20,001to30,000100
30,001to40,000125
40,001to50,000150
50,001to75,000200
75,001to100,000250
100,001to150,000300
150,001to200,000350
200,001to300,000400
300,001to400,000500
400,001to500,000600
500,001to750,000750
750,001 and over800

A contractor or subcontractor who holds a license under the Maryland Home Improvement Law may still be required to hold a construction license issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. 

Transient Vendors License
Please read our memo for Transient Vendors.

Construction and Home Improvement Licenses
Home Builder Registration
Home Improvement Licenses