Montgomery County, MD Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum deadbolt throw
- 1 inch
- Governing chapter
- Ch. 26, Housing Maintenance Standards
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs
- Violation class
- Class A ($500-$750 civil)
Summary
Every entrance and exit door on a rental dwelling unit or personal living quarters building in Montgomery County must have a working deadbolt with at least a one-inch throw.
(4) Door locks. (A) Each swinging entrance and exit door to a personal living quarters building, individual living unit, or rental dwelling unit must have a deadbolt lock with a minimum one-inch throw, or another acceptable security device. Security measures other than the manufacturer's latch are not required for a door which only allows access to a balcony located at least 3 stories above the ground.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Montgomery County Code § 26-8(d)(4)(A) requires each swinging entrance and exit door to a rental dwelling unit, individual living unit, or personal living quarters building to carry a deadbolt lock with a minimum one-inch throw or another acceptable security device. The rule sits inside the county's Housing and Building Maintenance Standards chapter, enforced by the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and pairs with related requirements for door viewers, sliding-door anti-lift devices, and rekeying between tenancies.
Violations & Fines
A missing or undersized deadbolt is a Class A violation under § 26-16, punishable as a misdemeanor with up to a $1,000 fine and 6 months in jail, or as a civil citation up to $500 for a first offense and $750 for a repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every door in a rental need a deadbolt?
Who must rekey locks between tenants?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland building safety overview
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