Montgomery County, MD Public Health Rules: Bed-Bug Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Montgomery County Code Ch. 26
- Tenant duty
- single-unit infestation only
- Landlord duty
- multi-unit or owner-caused
- Enforcement
- Dept. of Housing & Community Affairs
- Penalty class
- Class A violation
Summary
Montgomery County's housing code splits bed bug and other insect extermination duty by scope: tenants handle infestations confined to their own unit, but landlords must exterminate once it spreads to multiple units or traces back to their own poor upkeep.
Each occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit must exterminate any insects, rodents, or other vermin in or on the premises. Each occupant of a dwelling unit or individual living unit in a dwelling containing more than one unit must exterminate if that unit is the only infested unit. The owner must exterminate if the infestation: (A) includes more than one unit or the shared or common areas of a dwelling, or (B) was caused by the owner's failure to maintain the dwelling in a rat-proof or reasonably insect-proof condition.
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
County Code § 26-9(a)(9), part of the Housing and Building Maintenance Standards chapter, makes extermination a shared duty. An occupant of a single-unit dwelling, or an occupant whose unit is the only infested one in a multi-unit building, must exterminate insects, rodents, or other vermin themselves. The owner takes over the duty once an infestation covers more than one unit or common areas, or if it was caused by the owner's failure to keep the building rat-proof or reasonably insect-proof. The Department of Housing and Community Affairs enforces the chapter.
Violations & Fines
Failing to exterminate as required is a Class A violation: up to a $500 civil fine for a first offense ($750 for a repeat), or a criminal misdemeanor fine up to $1,000 and 6 months in jail; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to pay for bed bug extermination in a Montgomery County rental?
What happens if the responsible party doesn't exterminate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
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