Rental Inspections in Maryland (2026)
23 rules on the books across Maryland, 15 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Inspection Programs
Proactive rental inspection programs, registration requirements, systematic and periodic inspection cycles, what inspectors check, and the fees landlords pay to fund them.
Anne Arundel County
Significant RestrictionsAnne Arundel County requires a license from the Department of Inspections and Permits to operate a multiple dwelling or…
Read full rule →Baltimore County
Significant RestrictionsBefore renting out a dwelling unit in Baltimore County, an owner must either self-certify (7+ unit buildings with a…
Read full rule →Frederick
Significant RestrictionsFrederick runs a proactive rental inspection program under Sec. 12.5-80, requiring the Department of Public Works to…
Read full rule →Rockville
Significant RestrictionsEvery Rockville, Maryland rental facility must pass a City inspection before a license is issued or renewed, and…
Read full rule →Annapolis
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis requires every rental property to pass a Department of Planning and Zoning inspection before the City issues…
Read full rule →Cecil County
Some RestrictionsCecil County has no standing licensing-style rental inspection program; instead, § 240-12 of the Minimum Livability…
Read full rule →Gaithersburg
Some RestrictionsGaithersburg licenses and inspects every rental housing unit in the city under Chapter 18AA. An inspection is required…
Read full rule →Howard County
Some RestrictionsBefore Howard County issues or renews a rental housing license, the Director of Inspections, Licenses and Permits must…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsThe Director of Housing and Community Affairs must inspect every licensed apartment complex and personal living…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Some RestrictionsLandlords of Prince George's County rental buildings with ten or more units face a mandatory county inspection at least…
Read full rule →Tenant Complaint Process
How tenants can file complaints about code violations, what triggers a city inspection, and protections against landlord retaliation for reporting issues.
Annapolis
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis tenants who lose heat, water, or another essential service can force repairs: give the landlord actual…
Read full rule →Anne Arundel County
Some RestrictionsOwners of licensed multiple dwellings and rooming houses in Anne Arundel County must keep records of every tenant…
Read full rule →Baltimore County
Some RestrictionsA Baltimore County Code Official can enter a rental unit to inspect only with the tenant's permission, or under a court…
Read full rule →Carroll County
Some RestrictionsA tenant who wants a Livability Code inspection can trigger one by complaint: § 171.120 requires the county to inspect…
Read full rule →Cecil County
Some RestrictionsWhen Cecil County's Code Official finds or reasonably believes a Minimum Livability Code violation exists, § 240-14…
Read full rule →Charles County
Some RestrictionsA written complaint from a Charles County tenant starts the clock under § 81-1 of the County Code: the Department of…
Read full rule →Howard County
Some RestrictionsHoward County tenants file rental-housing complaints with the Office of Consumer Protection, not a separate inspections…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsTenants with an unresolved defective-tenancy complaint file in writing with the Department of Housing and Community…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County's Code Official must inspect rental housing 'in response to citizen or official complaints'…
Read full rule →Rockville
Some RestrictionsRockville tenants or landlords who believe a defective tenancy exists can file a written complaint with the City…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsA Washington County tenant may ask the Code Official to inspect a rental unit for Livability Code violations, and the…
Read full rule →Wicomico County
Some RestrictionsA tenant's report of an unsafe or hazardous condition gives the county's Housing Official reasonable cause to enter and…
Read full rule →Harford County
Light RestrictionsHarford County Code § 162-16 bars a landlord from evicting a tenant solely because the tenant filed a written complaint…
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