Rental Inspections in Howard County, MD (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Inspection Programs

Before Howard County issues or renews a rental housing license, the Director of Inspections, Licenses and Permits must inspect the dwelling unit for compliance with the county's Property Maintenance Code for Rental Housing. A failing inspection triggers a written denial spelling out exactly what to fix, and inspectors can enter the unit at reasonable times to enforce the program.

Howard County Inspects Every Rental License Application

Some Restrictions

Howard County Code § 14.901(e)

(e)Issuance of License.(i)Upon receipt of an application for a rental housing license, the Director shall inspect the dwelling unit.(ii)The Director shall issue a license if the dwelling unit meets the requirements of the Howard County Property Maintenance Code for Rental Housing and the Homeowners Association or Common Ownership Community has not submitted proof of a final adjudication against...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tenant Complaint Process

Howard County tenants file rental-housing complaints with the Office of Consumer Protection, not a separate inspections hotline. County Code § 17.1004 gives the Office jurisdiction to receive, investigate, and conciliate landlord-tenant complaints, subpoena records, and inspect a landlord's rental files to enforce the county's Landlord-Tenant Subtitle.

Howard County: File Rental Complaints With Consumer Protection

Some Restrictions

Howard County Code § 17.1004

Sec. 17.1004. - Office of consumer protection—Powers and duties.(a)In General. This subtitle shall be administered by the Office of Consumer Protection.(b)Complaints.(1)The Office has jurisdiction over all complaints filed under this subtitle except for those complaints that are referred to another County unit under section 17.1005 of this subtitle.(2)The Office may receive, investigate, and co...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Howard County ordinances

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