Annapolis, MD Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum room temperature
- 68°F, three feet above floor
- Hot water minimum
- 120°F at every outlet
- Heating season
- Oct 1 – Apr 30, or below 60°F
- Banned heaters
- Hand-fired stoves, unvented kerosene heaters
- Enforcement
- Director of Planning and Zoning inspections
Summary
Annapolis landlords must supply working heat to every habitable room and hot water at a minimum 120°F, with central heating required to run October 1 through April 30 under City Code § 17.40.370.
Every dwelling shall have heating facilities which are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closet compartments within its walls.B.Except to the extent permitted by the provisions of Annotated Code of Maryland, Commercial Law Article, Title 14, Subtitle 13, hand-fired heating stoves, freestanding fireplaces and unvented portable kerosene-fired heaters are prohibited.C.The heating facilities for multifamily dwellings having central heating systems required in this section shall be kept in operation from October 1st through April 30th of each year to provide adequate heat as required and shall be put in operation during any of the remaining months of any year when the outside temperature falls below sixty degrees Fahrenheit. (Ord. O-26-03 § 1 (part): prior code § 12-3(f))
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2025 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Annapolis defines "adequate heat" as 68°F measured three feet above the floor. Every dwelling must have heating facilities capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, with central systems required to run October 1 through April 30, and during any other month when the outside temperature falls below 60°F. Hand-fired stoves, freestanding fireplaces and unvented kerosene heaters are prohibited. Hot water must reach at least 120°F at every outlet. The Director of Planning and Zoning inspects properties, issues correction notices, and may condemn a dwelling as unfit for human habitation; uncorrected violations bring municipal-infraction fines with appeal rights to the Building Board of Appeals.
Violations & Fines
Failure to correct after notice is a municipal infraction with an escalating fine every five days the violation continues; persistent noncompliance is a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment, with each day a separate offense, under § 17.40.890.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature must Annapolis landlords maintain?
Can a landlord use a kerosene space heater instead of central heat?
What happens if a rental fails a habitability inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Annapolis
Compare Annapolis to another location·View the Maryland rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.