Rental Property Rules in Frederick, MD (2026)
3 verified rental property rules for Frederick, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Frederick has no general rent control: market-rate apartments are unregulated. The only local rent cap sits in City Code Section 19-15, which limits rent on Moderately Priced Dwelling Units built under the city's affordable-housing program to a rate the Board of Aldermen sets by regulation during each unit's control period.
Frederick MPDU Rent Control Limits
Light RestrictionsCity Code § 19-15
Sec. 19-15. - Rent Controls. MPDUs built or offered for rent under this chapter shall not be rented during the control period at a rent greater than that established by regulations adopted by the Board of Aldermen. Whenever any MPDU other than those built, sold or rented under any Federal, State or local program offered by a housing agency is offered for rent during the control period, it must ...
Rental Registration
Every rental housing unit in the City of Frederick must hold a valid license from the Department of Public Works before an owner may rent or advertise it for rent. The requirement took effect January 1, 2024, and owners who collect rent without a current license face municipal infraction fines.
Frederick Rental Housing License Requirement
Significant RestrictionsFrederick, MD Code of Ordinances § 12.5-78
(a)In general. As of January 1, 2024, the owner of a rental housing unit may not rent or offer to rent a rental housing unit without a valid license to do so from the Department.(b)Compensation. The owner of a rental housing unit may not charge, accept, retain, or seek to collect any rental payment or other compensation for providing to another the occupancy of a rental unit unless the owner wa...
Repairs & Habitability
Frederick sets minimum habitability standards for every licensed rental unit by adopting dozens of International Property Maintenance Code sections into its rental licensing law, covering heat, ventilation, egress, and structural condition. The Department of Public Works enforces the standards through inspections, and units that fail can lose their rental license.
Frederick Rental Housing Habitability Standards
Some RestrictionsFrederick, MD Code of Ordinances § 12.5-74(a)-(b)
(a)In general. Rental housing units subject to this article must be maintained in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to the minimum maintenance standards described in subsection (b) of this section.(b)Established. The provisions of the Property Maintenance Code of the City (as adopted in Sec. 12-5.1 of this chapter) and other requirements listed in th...