Bowie, MD Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Bowie's rental inspection program is built into the licensing statute itself, City Code § 5-9D, rather than a separate inspections ordinance. Passing periodic inspection to confirm conformance with the Housing and Property Maintenance Code is a condition of holding any rental license or temporary certificate, and the code gives both the property owner and the tenant the right to insist on a judicial warrant before the City's housing inspector may enter. Refusing entry, or forcing a tenant to refuse entry, when a judicial warrant is required is itself a municipal infraction under § 5-13, and separately gives the City Manager grounds to deny or revoke the rental license.

When the inspector finds violations, the property is reinspected to confirm the fix; if the violations are still not corrected, the code imposes a $50 charge for each additional reinspection until the unit is brought into compliance. That reinspection fee cannot be charged unless the City has given the owner written notice at least 10 days before the scheduled reinspection, and if the owner then fails to appear or arrange access after that 10-day notice, a further $50 charge applies before any additional inspection will be scheduled.

Owners with rental property but no local residence or agent within 50 miles of Bowie must name a local agent within that radius to receive inspection notices, keeping that contact information current with the City under § 5-9I.