How Maryland Splits Public Health Between the State and 24 Local Offices

Maryland delivers public health through two connected layers. At the state level, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) sets policy, runs Medicaid, licenses many health facilities, and tracks disease across all jurisdictions. Its headquarters sits at 201 West Preston Street in Baltimore. Our database still lists the agency under its older name, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which the state replaced in 2017.

Most residents never deal with headquarters. They visit one of 24 local health departments instead: one for each of Maryland's 23 counties and one for Baltimore City. Baltimore City is an independent city, separate from Baltimore County, so the two offices serve different populations and run different programs.

Local health departments sit between state and county government. Each is led by a local health officer who follows state public health law while working with county leaders. Funding usually blends state, county, and federal money with some fees. That blend is why a clinic in one county may offer a service that its neighbor handles differently.

What a Maryland Local Health Department Typically Does

Core duties look similar across the state because state law and MDH programs set a baseline. Most offices handle some mix of the following:

Not every office offers every service on site. Some counties run full clinics. Others focus on prevention and inspections, then refer patients to hospitals, community health centers, or private providers. Call first and ask what is available and whether you need an appointment.

Behavioral health adds another layer. Each jurisdiction has a local behavioral health authority. In some counties the health department fills that role, and in others a separate county agency does. If you need mental health or substance use help, ask which body to contact in your county.

Metro and Rural Health Departments in Maryland

Maryland is a small state with sharp regional differences. The office you reach in Baltimore looks very different from one on the Lower Shore or in the western mountains.

Baltimore Region

The Baltimore metro area has the densest concentration of offices. The Baltimore City Health Department at 1001 East Fayette Street (410-396-4398) serves a large urban population. Baltimore County has more listings in our database than any other county, and its health department appears at 13800 Manor Road in Baldwin (410-887-5961). Nearby, the Harford County Health Department is at 5 North Main Street in Bel Air (410-638-3028), and the Anne Arundel County Health Department is at 3 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis (410-222-7095). Howard County's office is at 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive in Columbia (410-313-6300).

Washington Suburbs

Montgomery and Prince George's counties form the capital-region suburbs. In Montgomery County, public health is combined with social services in the Department of Health and Human Services, based at 401 Hungerford Drive in Rockville (240-777-1245). A separate Montgomery County Health Department listing appears at 1301 Piccard Drive in Rockville (240-777-1355). The Prince George's County Health Department operates from 9201 Basil Court in Upper Marlboro (301-925-2969). Browse the Prince George's County page for the other offices we have on file there.

Eastern Shore

Rural counties run leaner operations over longer distances. Salisbury is the hub of the Lower Shore, and the Wicomico County Health Department is at 108 East Main Street (410-749-1244). Farther south, the Somerset County Health Department is in Princess Anne at 11545 Somerset Avenue (410-621-5739). The Worcester County Health Department is at 9730 Healthway Drive in Berlin (410-629-0164). Worcester's summer population swells with Ocean City visitors, which affects food inspections and seasonal demand. Further north, offices serve Caroline County in Denton, Talbot County in Easton, Kent County in Chestertown, Queen Anne's County in Centreville, and Dorchester County in Cambridge.

Western and Southern Maryland

In the west, the Allegany County Health Department is at 12503 Willowbrook Road in Cumberland (301-759-5050). The Garrett County Health Department is at 1025 Memorial Drive in Oakland (301-334-7777). Garrett winters can slow travel, so confirm hours before a long drive. Washington County's office is at 1302 Pennsylvania Avenue in Hagerstown (240-313-3200), and Frederick County's is at 350 Montevue Lane in Frederick (301-600-1029). In Southern Maryland, you will find Calvert County in Prince Frederick (410-535-5400) and St. Mary's County in Leonardtown (301-475-4330).

Maryland Rules That Shape What You Can Get

State law sets several requirements that local offices enforce or support. Children entering Maryland schools and licensed child care must meet immunization requirements, with medical and religious exemptions available under state rules. Restaurants, markets, and other food establishments need local health approval, and inspectors can close a facility for serious violations. Well and septic systems for new construction usually need county health approval before building starts, especially on rural lots without public water or sewer. Lead testing rules call for young children, especially those covered by Medicaid, to be tested, and local departments follow up on elevated results.

Fees for permits, inspections, and some clinic services are set locally or by program, so amounts differ by county. Ask the office for its current fee schedule rather than relying on a figure from another jurisdiction.

Practical Steps Before You Visit a Maryland Health Department

A little preparation saves a second trip. Use these steps.

Start with your county of residence. Most services are organized by where you live. Some clinics accept patients from neighboring counties, so ask if the nearest office sits across a county line.

Bring the basics. A photo ID, insurance or Medicaid cards, proof of address, and any immunization records cover most visits. For income-based programs, bring recent pay stubs or benefit letters. Parents should bring a child's vaccine record and any forms the school provided.

Call before you go. Hours generally follow the weekday business day, but many clinics reserve specific days for immunizations, testing, or WIC appointments. A two-minute call confirms the day, the cost, and whether walk-ins are accepted. Fees vary by service and sometimes by income, so ask before you book.

Know when a health department is the wrong door. For emergencies, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988. For poison exposure, call 1-800-222-1222. For help finding food, housing, or other local services, dial 211.

Reading Maryland Health Department Listings Carefully

Public records do not always match how people think about geography. Three examples from our database show why a quick check helps.

First, the Baltimore City Health Department is filed under Baltimore County in our data, even though the city is independent. Second, the Carroll County Health Department entry shows a Reisterstown address, a community in Baltimore County, so confirm the location at 410-876-4437 before driving there. Third, the state listing at 201 West Preston Street carries the former agency name.

When two names look alike, check the street address and phone number rather than the label. Then call the office itself to verify hours and services.

The health department network in Maryland consists of the state health agency and a system of county and city health departments that together deliver public health programs, disease surveillance, and preventive services to residents statewide.

Health Departments locations are available in 40 cities across Maryland. They are spread across 23 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Salisbury, Baltimore, Cumberland, which operate full-service health departments providing comprehensive clinical and environmental health services to large urban populations.

Residents of Maryland can access their local health department for vaccinations, vital records, food inspection reports, and communicable disease information. Many services are available by appointment, and some are walk-in friendly.

Health Departments by Counties

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Residents of Maryland can order certified birth and death certificates, check restaurant inspection scores, and access free or low-cost vaccination services through their local health department. Most departments offer online appointment scheduling for clinical services.

Browse Health Departments by county across Maryland to find the nearest location.

Where to Start in Your Part of Maryland

Your best first call depends on where you live. Residents of the Baltimore suburbs often have several offices within a short drive, while people in rural counties may have a single main office. The Lower Shore shows the contrast. The Wicomico County Health Department is in Salisbury, which has four listings in our database. Residents of Worcester County go to Berlin, and Somerset County residents go to Princess Anne.

In the mountains, the Allegany County Health Department in Cumberland serves a region where hospitals, specialists, and clinics sit farther apart. The Allegany County page lists the county's offices if you need a second option.

If you cannot tell which office covers your address, start with your county's main health department phone line. Staff can route you to the right unit, whether that is environmental health, immunizations, or behavioral health. Write down the name of the person you speak with and the date. That record helps if you need to follow up on a permit or an appointment.

Maryland Health Department FAQs

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) oversees public health policy statewide. Its headquarters are at 201 West Preston Street in Baltimore, and our database lists 410-767-6860 for the office. Day-to-day services come from 24 local health departments, one for each county and one for Baltimore City. Each local department has a health officer who follows state public health law and works with county government. MDH sets standards for programs such as immunizations, Medicaid, and disease reporting, while your local office delivers clinics, inspections, and community programs. For a specific service, start with the local office and ask whether MDH handles part of the process.

No. Baltimore City is an independent city that is not part of any county, and it has its own health department at 1001 East Fayette Street (410-396-4398). Baltimore County has a separate health department, listed in our database at 13800 Manor Road in Baldwin (410-887-5961). Their services, clinics, and contact points differ. Our records file the city office under Baltimore County, which can cause confusion. Choose the office based on whether your address is inside the city limits or in the county. If you are unsure, call either office and ask which one covers your street address.

Birth and death certificates for Maryland events are handled by the Division of Vital Records within the Maryland Department of Health. Some local health departments may also help with requests, but policies differ by county. Call your local office first and ask whether it issues copies or sends you to the state. Marriage records work differently. Marriage licenses come from the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the license was issued, not from a health department. Bring a photo ID and be ready to show your relationship to the person on the record, because access to certified copies is restricted.

In most counties, yes. Local health departments commonly offer childhood immunizations, school-required shots, and some adult vaccines such as flu shots, though the exact list varies by office. Children who qualify may receive vaccines through the federal Vaccines for Children program, which covers eligible children, including those on Medicaid or without insurance. Call ahead, because many clinics schedule vaccine days rather than offering walk-in hours every day. Bring your child's immunization record, insurance or Medicaid cards, and a photo ID. For school forms, bring the paperwork from the school or child care provider so staff can complete it during the visit.

In many rural counties, the local health department's environmental health staff review and approve septic systems and private wells. They often oversee the soil percolation tests used for building lots. The approval usually comes before a building permit is finalized, so contact the office early in your planning. On the Eastern Shore, in counties such as Worcester, Somerset, and Caroline, public sewer may not reach every property, so this step affects many owners. Some counties route applications through a permits or planning office first, so ask where to submit. Bring your property address, a survey or site plan, and the tax map or parcel details.

Not for every service. Many public health functions, such as communicable disease follow-up, inspections, and prevention programs, do not depend on insurance. Clinical services vary. Some offices bill insurance or Medicaid, some use income-based fees, and some provide services at no cost through grant-funded programs. Staff at many offices can also explain Medicaid and point you to plan options through Maryland Health Connection, the state's health insurance marketplace. When you call, ask three questions: what the visit costs, what documents prove eligibility, and whether a lower-cost option exists. Getting those answers first prevents surprises at the front desk.

Wash the wound with soap and water for several minutes, then seek medical care promptly. Report the bite to your local health department or animal control, since the county health department typically helps coordinate rabies risk assessment. If the animal is a pet, officials may ask the owner to confine it for observation and show proof of rabies vaccination, which Maryland requires for dogs, cats, and ferrets. Do not handle wild animals such as bats, raccoons, or foxes. If a bat was in a room with a sleeping person or a young child, call the health department, because contact can be hard to rule out.