Frederick, MD Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Random inspection rate
- At least 15% of units yearly
- Advance notice
- At least 72 hours
- For-cause basis
- Violation history or risk of harm
- Escalation
- Up to 3 inspections before revocation
- Emergency entry
- Allowed for imminently hazardous units
- Enforcing department
- Department of Public Works
Summary
Frederick runs a proactive rental inspection program under Sec. 12.5-80, requiring the Department of Public Works to randomly inspect at least 15% of licensed rental units every year and to inspect any unit for cause when its condition or history suggests a risk to tenants. Owners get 72 hours' notice before a scheduled inspection.
(a)Requirements. Rental housing units will be inspected in accordance with this section for the purpose of determining compliance with the minimum maintenance standards.(b)Notice. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Director shall issue a written notice of the date and time of any inspection to be conducted under this section at least 72 hours before the date of the inspection.(c)Random inspections. Inspections will be made on a random basis, in accordance with procedures established by the Director. The procedures must require at least 15% of residential rental units licensed under this article to be inspected each year. For purposes of this subsection, the number of units to be inspected will be based on the units licensed on January 1 of each year.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Land Management Code: Supplement 13 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 112).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 5 adopted by Ordinance No. G-23-09 on June 15, 2023, builds a proactive inspection program rather than a complaint-only system, which the City Council said in Sec. 5-71 it considers inadequate because tenants may not report problems out of fear of retaliation. Under subsection (c), the Department of Public Works' procedures must require at least 15% of licensed rental units to be inspected each year, calculated from the number of units licensed as of January 1. Subsection (b) requires the Director to give written notice of the date and time of a scheduled inspection at least 72 hours in advance.
Beyond the random sweep, subsection (d) lets the Director order an inspection at any time based on a determination that a unit may pose a risk of harm, considering current violations, the unit's code-violation history, and the condition of the owner's other properties. Subsection (e) allows entry with consent, under a warrant, or, if the Director has reasonable cause to believe conditions are immediately hazardous, by any reasonable means necessary. If no violation is found, the Department issues a notice of compliance under subsection (f); if one is found, subsection (g) requires a notice of violation with an inspection report specifying corrective actions, followed under subsections (h) and (i) by a second and, if needed, a third inspection.
Subsection (j) allows the Director to revoke the license if the unit still is not in compliance after the third inspection, and subsection (k) authorizes condemnation and placarding of any unit found unfit for human occupancy.
Violations & Fines
There is no separate fine tied to the inspection section itself; the consequence runs through the maintenance-standard enforcement chain. A unit that fails to reach compliance after a third inspection can have its rental license revoked under Sec. 12.5-81, and an owner who refuses to allow entry for a lawfully noticed or emergency inspection is itself grounds for revocation. Renting a unit after revocation is a municipal infraction under Sec. 12.5-84 punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Frederick
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