Montgomery County, MD Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Before renting out any dwelling unit
- License classes
- Class 1, 2, and 3 by property type
- Issuing agency
- Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs
- Violation
- Class A violation under § 29-18
Summary
Montgomery County requires every landlord to obtain a rental housing license from the Department of Housing and Community Affairs before renting out any dwelling unit, with three license classes depending on property type.
The owner of a dwelling unit must obtain a rental housing license before operating the dwelling unit as rental housing. If the owner is a corporation, the corporation must be qualified to do business in Maryland under state law. Each owner must certify to the Department the name, address and telephone number of an agent who resides in Maryland and is qualified to accept service of process on behalf of the owner. The Director must issue three classes of rental housing licenses.
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
Under County Code § 29-16, the owner of any dwelling unit must obtain a rental housing license before operating it as rental housing, and must certify to the Department of Housing and Community Affairs the name, address and phone number of a Maryland-resident agent authorized to accept service of process. The Director issues three license classes: Class 1 for apartment complexes and multifamily units, Class 2 for single-family rental homes, and Class 3 for single-family homes with an accessory apartment lacking a pre-2013 special exception. Corporate owners must be qualified to do business in Maryland.
Violations & Fines
Operating rental housing without a license, or ignoring a Commission order, is a class A violation under § 29-18; the County Attorney can also seek civil injunctions to stop it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to rent out my single-family home in Montgomery County?
What happens if I rent without a license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland rental property rules overview
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