Rental Property Rules in Annapolis, MD

If you live in Annapolis or are thinking about moving there, rental property rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Annapolis has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of rental property rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Rental Registration

Annapolis requires a rental operator's license from the Department before any dwelling, dwelling unit, bed and breakfast home, hotel, motel or inn can be rented for occupancy. Renting without one is a municipal infraction with daily fines.

Key details: Governing section: Annapolis City Code § 17.44.010. Covers: Dwellings, units, B&Bs, hotels, motels, inns. Renewal cycle: Annual (2-year for large staffed buildings). Penalty: Per-unit, per-day fine after 15-day notice. Pre-license step: Inspection required under § 17.44.050.

Renting or continuing to rent an unlicensed premises is a municipal infraction under § 17.44.010(B), fined per unit per day, starting fifteen calendar days after the owner is notified and continuing until the license is obtained, reissued or revalidated.

This is one of the stricter rules in Annapolis's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Repairs & Habitability

Annapolis landlords must supply working heat to every habitable room and hot water at a minimum 120°F, with central heating required to run October 1 through April 30 under City Code § 17.40.370.

Key details: Minimum room temperature: 68°F, three feet above floor. Hot water minimum: 120°F at every outlet. Heating season: Oct 1 – Apr 30, or below 60°F. Banned heaters: Hand-fired stoves, unvented kerosene heaters. Enforcement: Director of Planning and Zoning inspections.

Failure to correct after notice is a municipal infraction with an escalating fine every five days the violation continues; persistent noncompliance is a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment, with each day a separate offense, under § 17.40.890.

Rent Control

Annapolis has no year-round rent control; increases are capped only during a declared local state of emergency, plus 30 days after.

Key details: Normal-times rent control: none. Trigger: declared local state of emergency. Freeze duration: emergency period + 30 days. Covers: residential leases and small commercial retail. Governing law: Annapolis City Code § 18.10.010.

No general penalty schedule is set out in this chapter; a rent increase imposed in violation of § 18.10.010 during a declared emergency is unlawful and unenforceable against the tenant while the prohibition is in effect.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Annapolis gives residents more flexibility on rent control.

The Bottom Line

Annapolis's rental property rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Annapolis is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Annapolis's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.