Howard County, MD Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Sec. 901(e) requires the Director to inspect the dwelling unit on receiving a license application, and to issue the license only if it meets the Property Maintenance Code and the homeowners association or common ownership community hasn't proven a final adjudication for unpaid fees; a denial must state in writing what corrections are needed, and a renewed license issues once the Director is satisfied the deficiencies are fixed. Renewal inspections work the same way under Sec. 901(f): a license may be renewed only if the unit continues to meet the Property Maintenance Code, and the Director must refuse renewal outright if the property carries any outstanding violation notice from any county agency.

Sec. 902 gives the Director general authority to interpret, administer and enforce the subtitle, issue notices or orders to abate violations, and conduct inspections that are 'purely governmental in nature' and made solely for the public benefit, not a warranty about the unit's condition. The right-of-entry provision requires the owner, occupant, tenant, or other person in charge to give the Director entry and free access for inspection; if access is refused or restricted, the Director may seek a court order, and occupants must likewise give the owner access to make required repairs (Sec. 902(d)).