County Energy Saving Days

Howard County Government Energy Saving Days Closures

Howard County Government continues to prioritize responsible fiscal management amid broader financial challenges at the State and Federal levels. Through strategic planning and cost-saving initiatives - such as reducing energy use via targeted building and office closures - the County aims to maintain a balanced budget without raising taxes or cutting services.

In addition to cost savings, these “Energy Saving Days” also help reduce the County’s carbon footprint.

2025 Energy Saving Days:

• April: 17th 
• May: 23rd, 30th
• June: 20th, 30th
• July: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 25th
• August: 1st, 8th, 29th 
• September: 5th, 19th, 26th
• October: 1st, 10th, 14th, 24th, 31st 
• November: 12th, 24th, 25th, 26th
• December: 5th, 19th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 29th, 30th 

Buildings and Office Locations:

During these days, while various County Government buildings and office locations throughout the county will be physically closed to the public, staff will be working remotely to ensure the needs of community members are still being met. These County Government buildings and/or office locations include:

George Howard Building Campus

• George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City
  • Office of the County Executive
  • Department of County Administration
  • Office of Public Information
  • Office of Cable Administration
  • Department of Planning and Zoning
  • Department of Public Works Directors Office and Real Estate Services Division
  • Office of Transportation
  • Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits
  • Department of Finance
  • Howard County Council
• Carroll Building, 3450 Court House Drive, Ellicott City
  • Budget Office
  • Office of Law
• NOTE: Howard County Police Department’s (HCPD) Northern District Headquarters at 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City and the Office of Emergency Management and 911 Operation Center remain OPEN during this days. 

Patuxent Woods Campus (Howard County Government staff only):

• Address: 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia
  • Department of Housing and Community Development
  • Office of Human Rights and Equity
• Address: 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia 
  • Office of Consumer Protection
  • Department of Community Resources and Services
    • Office of ADA Coordination
    • Office on Aging and Independence
    • Office of Children and Families
    • Office of Community Partnerships
    • Office of Human Trafficking Prevention
    • Office of Local Children’s Board
    • Office of Veterans and Military Families

Department of Recreation & Parks Headquarters

• Address: 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia

Office of Procurement and Contract Administration (ONLY) 

• Address: Kenneth S. Ulman Innovation Hub Building, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 226, Columbia

Ascend One Building

• Address: 8930 Stanford Boulevard, Columbia (Howard County Government staff only) 
• Office of Human Resources
• Department of Technology and Communication Services
• NOTE: As a State agency, the Howard County Health Department is not affected by these Energy Saving Days.

Riverwood Building

• Address: 7125 Riverwood Drive, Columbia
• Department of Community Resources and Services, Office of Disability Services
• Department of Public Works, Bureau of Engineering
• Department of Public Works, Bureau of Highways
• Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits, Inspections and Enforcement Division

Berger Road Building (Howard County Government staff only)

• Address: 9200 Berger Road, Columbia
• Office of Community Sustainability
• Department of Public Works, Bureau of Facilities

Getting in Touch

• County staff are working remotely during Energy Saving Days and can be reached by phone or email.
• If still not sure who to contact, call the County’s Office of Public Information at 410-313-2022 or email ask@howardcountymd.gov during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except County holidays.

Financial Payments and Document Drop-Offs

• Community members in need of making a payment for a water and sewer or real property tax bill, red light, speed, or school bus camera ticket, parking ticket, or a miscellaneous billing invoice during one of these Energy Saving Days, can do so on the Department of Finance’s “Pay Now” website.
• Documents for Finance can be placed in the department’s drop box located outside the front entrance of the George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City.

Normal Operations and Facilities that Remain Physically Open on Energy Saving Days

• Regular curbside trash, recycling, food scraps, and yard time collections
• Alpha Ridge Landfill
• 50+ centers
• Fire stations
• HCPD Facilities:
  • Southern District Headquarters at 11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel
  • James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center at 2200 Scott Wheeler Drive, Marriottsville
  • Community Outreach at 10741 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
• Department of Recreation & Parks:
  • Recreational facilities and historic sites
  • Parks