Montgomery County, MD Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard inspection cycle
- at least once every 3 years
- Troubled/violation properties
- inspected at least annually
- Tenant notice for scheduled inspection
- 72 hours advance notice
- Re-inspection cost after 2nd visit
- landlord pays 3rd+ inspections
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs
Summary
The Director of Housing and Community Affairs must inspect every licensed apartment complex and personal living quarters building at least once every three years, more often if violations turn up.
Except as provided in this Section, the Director must inspect each apartment complex and personal living quarters building licensed as rental housing, at least once within each three-year period to determine if it complies with all applicable laws. The Director may inspect an apartment complex or personal living quarters building more often than the triennial inspection.
(b) The Director must inspect, at least once each year, any rental housing which, after inspection, the Director:
(1) finds in violation of any applicable law that adversely affects the immediate health and safety of the tenants, including:
(A) rodent or insect infestation affecting 20% or more units in a building;
(B) extensive and visible mold growth on interior walls or surfaces exposed to the occupied space;
(C) windows that do not permit a safe means of egress;
(D) pervasive and recurring water leaks that result in chronic dampness, mold growth, or personal property damage in more than one unit; or
(E) lack of one or more working utilities that is not shut off due to tenant non-payment, including:
(i) natural gas;
(ii) electricity;
(iii) water;
(iv) sewage disposal; or
(2) determines to be a troubled property, under a procedure established by method (2) regulation that:
(A) classifies violation types by severity; and
(B) rates properties by:
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
Montgomery County Code § 29-22 sets a triennial floor: the Director must inspect each licensed apartment complex and personal living quarters building at least once every three years for compliance with all applicable laws, and may inspect more often. Properties found with health-and-safety violations (rodent/insect infestation in 20%+ of units, extensive mold, blocked egress windows, chronic water leaks, or a lost utility) or rated a "troubled property" move to mandatory annual inspection with a corrective action plan until the Director signs it off. Landlords must give the Department inspection access as a license condition, give tenants 72 hours' notice of scheduled inspections, and pay for the third and later re-inspections if a violation isn't fixed by the second visit. This licensing/inspection scheme applies to Class 1 (multifamily), Class 2 (single-family rental) and Class 3 (accessory apartment) rental housing licensed under Chapter 29, countywide, subject to state law.
Violations & Fines
Operating unlicensed rental housing or ignoring a Commission order is a class A violation; the Director can also revoke, deny or suspend the rental license after 10 days' written notice if the landlord doesn't fix or start fixing violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is my rental unit inspected in Montgomery County?
Does the landlord have to warn tenants before an inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
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