Pandemic-Related Suspended Deadlines, Due Dates Back In Effect

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Howard County Executive Calvin Ball signed an executive order Wednesday that reinstates any previously suspended deadlines and due dates enacted with the county's declared state of emergency stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. The order takes effect July 1.

In March, the governor rescinded the authority previously given to local governments and required effects of all deadlines and due dates be reinstated no later than June 30. In signing today's executive order, Ball has complied with the governor's directive and provides approximately six weeks of notice that any previously suspended effects of deadlines or due dates would only continue through June 30.

The new Howard County action impacts procedures across county agencies, including zoning, land use, permitting and other matters. Any deadline or due date effect suspended pursuant to Howard County Executive Order 2020-03 and not previously reimplemented by departmental directive pursuant to Howard County Executive Order 2020-04 will become effective as of July 1 and the deadline will be considered expired as of that date. Timelines, on the other hand, were not tolled by virtue of the state and local executive orders.