The document summarizes rental licensing programs in five Maryland jurisdictions: Baltimore County, Montgomery County, Rockville, Laurel, and Gaithersburg. All require rental properties to register and obtain a license which includes an inspection. Fees and fines vary by jurisdiction. Licenses must be renewed every 1-3 years along with required re-inspections. Programs aim to support code enforcement, education, and landlord-tenant relations. Exemptions exist for owner-occupied or relative-occupied dwellings.

1. Baltimore Co.
Baltimore County began a rental licensing (RL) pilot program in 2002. The pilot was
located in certain areas including Hawthorne Park, Old Dundalk and St. Helena. The pilot
was expanded in 2005 to include areas affected by overcrowding and college/student
populations. And on December 19, 2007, Baltimore County Council Bill 87-07 was
passed requiring that all buildings or a portion of a building that contain one to six
dwelling units, intended, or designed to be rented, leased, let or be hired out to be
occupied for living purposes be registered and licensed with Baltimore County.
Program Features
• Baltimore County has approximately 16,000 rental properties
• Buildings that contain 1 – 6 units must register and apply for a rental license
• Private-sector contractors must be hired to complete RL application
o Estimated market costs for inspectors is $125 to $150 per unit
• Rental fees are set at $40 and $50 per unit, depending on type of building
• Fines
o For non-compliance, $1,000
o Civil penalties of $25 per day for each day a violation occurs
o Civil penalties of $200 per day for each day that the person does not
comply with a correction notice
• License renewal is required every three years on the anniversary of its effective
date
• Inspections occur with the renewal cycle
o Private inspectors must be used for renewals as well
• The RL program has eight (8) exemptions, including:
o Dwellings that are solely owner-occupied (definitions at top, pg. 8 of
ordinance)
o Dwellings with seven (7) or more dwelling units
o Apartment complexes
o Group houses
o Dwelling units exempted by the Department as required by federal or state
law or regulation
o Dwelling units occupied by a former owner who, after having sold the
dwelling unit to a new owner, continues to reside in the dwelling unit,
provided the residency lasts not more than 12 months
o Subject to regulations adopted by the Department, dwellings occupied by
an owner and an individual paid by the owner, including a nurse, nanny or
other household assistant
o Dwelling units solely occupied by a person related by blood, marriage, or
adoption to or under the legal custody of the owner of the dwelling unit
(definitions at bottom, pg. 8 of ordinance)

2. *Additional information is available at http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/permits/rentalregistration/index.html
Montgomery Co.
Beginning in July 2004, rental housing units within the county had to register and obtain
a license from the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs
(DHCA). The county has about 20,000 licenses, and according to county officials, a
major factor in the program’s initiation was the backlog of court cases involving
landlords and tenants. A control mechanism was needed to handle a growing number of
complaints and a method of information sharing needed to be developed for renters and
owners alike. One key characteristic of Montgomery’s RL model is the inclusion of
value-add services – such as landlord-tenant dispute resolution, credit check services,
lease agreement templates and other education materials. However, Montgomery Co.’s
RL program is still largely complaint-driven, operating without annual inspections.
Program Features
• Montgomery County has approximately 20,000 rental properties
• There are two classes of licenses in the Montgomery program*
o Apartment buildings, complexes, etc.
o Single family townhouses, duplex, etc.
• Units are inspected only on a complaint-driven basis
• Rental fees range between $38 to $98 per unit, depending on type of building
• Fines
o For non-compliance, $500 for first office, $750 for subsequent
• Services
o License fees are used to support:
 Landlord-tenant dispute resolution process
 Credit-Check services (below market rate at $11 per check)
 Lease agreement templates
 Online complaint form
(http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dhca/housing/code
_e/complaint.asp)
 Code enforcement activities
 Other education services
• License renewal is required every year within 30 days of receipt after the end of
the county’s fiscal year (June 30)
• Inspections do not follow the renewal cycle
o Inspections occur on a complaint-driven basis only
• The RL program has two (2) exemptions, including:
o Owner Occupied: A unit may be exempt if someone who is a partial
owner lives in the unit - caller should contact the licensing unit for details.
o Relative Occupied: A unit may be exempt if it is occupied by a relative of
the owner

3. *See handout for fee structure
*Additional information is available at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dhctmpl.asp?
url=/content/dhca/Licensing/licensing_landlord_tenant.asp
Rockville
In the City of Rockville, the Community Enhancement & Code Enforcement division is
housed within the Rockville City Police Department. Rockville has also established a
City Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs alongside its rental licensing program.
Rockville’s commission designed to address issues between landlords and tenants is the
most detailed program of its kind in the state.* Generally, the code outlines the
parameters of the seven-member commission and describes the rights and obligations of
landlords/ tenants for minimum terms of lease. All rental properties must pass the
required inspection prior to the issuance of a rental license.
Program Features
• Rockville has five (5) classes of licenses, including:
o Innkeeper’s license
o Multiple-family dwelling license
 Apartments
o Rooming house license
o Single-family dwelling rental unit license
 Detached houses
 Townhouses
 Condominiums
o Accessory apartment rental unit license
• Government inspections are required for rental licenses and renewals
o Cost of inspection is part of fee, unless the inspection is failed and an
inspector must return
 $50 fees are assessed on repeat inspections
• Rental fees are set at $100 and $200 per unit, depending on type of building
o Single-family fees are $200 every two years
o Multi-family fees are $100 annually
• Services
o License fees are used to support:
 Landlord-tenant dispute resolution process
 Lease agreement templates
 Code enforcement activities
 Other education services
• License renewal is required every two years for single-family dwellings; every
year for multi-family dwellings
• Inspections occur with the renewal cycle - annually for multiple-family dwellings
and biannually for single-family dwellings

4. *Detailed composition and appointment processes available upon request, or by clicking here.
**Additional information is available at http://www.rockvillemd.gov/police/code-enforce.htm
Laurel
The City of Laurel conducts its rental licensing program within the Department of
Community Planning and Business Services. According to an official with the city,
Laurel adopted the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code this year. The
department has three (3) code enforcement officers, two (2) inspectors and two (2)
planners who oversee 5,000 rental units. Landlord/tenant resolution is referred to a Prince
George’s County office.
Program Features
• Laurel has two classes of licenses, based on structure type:
o Single-Family
 Townhouse
 Condominium
 Duplex
 Apartment-style above/below a business
o Multi-Family
 apartment complexes and similar
• Government inspections are required for initial rental license applicants
o Cost of inspection is part of fee, unless the inspection is failed and an
inspector must return
 $50 fees are assessed on repeat inspections
• Rental fees are set at $10 and $25 per unit, depending on type of structure
o Single-family fees are $25
o Multi-family fees are $10
• Fines
o For non-compliance, $75 for single-family, $55 for multifamily per day
• Services
o License fees are used to support:
 Code enforcement activities
 Other education services
• License renewal is required every year for both structure types
• Inspections do not follow the renewal cycle
o Individual rental properties (of less than 12 units) must be re-inspected
every three (3) years.
 If an inspection reveals no fire/life safety infractions, the Chief
Building Official may grant the property owner a 1-year inspection
extension.

5. o In rental communities of at least 12 units but less than 60 units, a
minimum of 65 percent of the total units shall be inspected every three (3)
years.
*See handout for fee structure
*Additional information is available at http://www.laurel.md.us/content/residential-rental-licenses
Gaithersburg
The Neighborhood Services Team is responsible for administering and enforcing a
variety of City Codes regarding property maintenance, public nuisances, rental housing,
landlord-tenant relations, vendors, and home-based businesses. Additionally, the team
pursues an outreach program to work with homeowners associations, rental communities,
and citizens to enhance the appearance and safety of the City of Gaithersburg.
Neighborhood Services is a division of the Planning and Code Administration
Department. The department is in charge of approximately 1800-1900 single-family units
and staffed by two (2) rental housing inspectors and five (5) code enforcement officers.
Program Features
• Gaithersburg has approximately 1800 – 1900 single-family units
• There are two classes of licenses in the Gaithersburg program:
o Apartment buildings, complexes, etc.
o Single family townhouses, duplex, etc.
• Rental fees range between $110 to a $150 per unit, depending on type of building
• Fines
o For non-compliance, $500 for first office, $750 for subsequent
• Services
o License fees are used to support:
 Yearly Apartment Rate Guide w/ availability listings and contact
information*
 Neighborhood Matching Grants*
• Part of the City’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program,
usually conducted jointly with homeowners associations
 Landlord-tenant dispute resolution process
 Lease agreement templates
 Code enforcement activities
 Other education services
• License renewal is required every two years
• Inspections follow the renewal cycle
o Multi-family dwellings are inspected on a rolling basis w/ all units
checked over a 2-year period

6. *Denotes additional information included in Gaithersburg section #5 of Rental Licensing Survey
**Additional information is available at http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=93&TOC=107;83;93
Ocean City
Ocean City, Maryland has a unique rental community because of its tourism-based and
seasonal economy. OC has approximately 25,000 units and includes a noise permit with
rental licenses. Ocean City’s program seems to suffer from an overall lack of seriousness.
The fees are large and there is only one code enforcement officer on staff charged with
oversight of rental properties. However, the city’s dynamics may not warrant a more
proactive, or detailed program.
Program Features
• Approximately 25,000 units in Ocean City
• Rental fees are $114 (with an additional $24 dollar noise permit)
• Fines
o For non-compliance, fines range from $25 per day to $1000 per day
• Services
o License fees are used to support:
 Code enforcement activities
• License renewal is required yearly (May 1 to April 30)
• Inspections do not follow the renewal cycle
o Rental properties are not inspected upon application or renewal; they are
only inspected when a complaint is filed
o According to the city code: “An inspection…may be conducted prior to
the issuance of a license upon recommendation of any reviewing agency.”

7. *Denotes additional information included in Ocean City #6 of Rental Licensing Survey
**Additional information is available at http://oceancitymd.gov/Finance/license.html
Hagerstown
Hagerstown is very similar to Frederick in size and housing demographics. They are
believed to have similar amounts of rental units, if not fewer. Their rental licensing
program was started in 2003. In addition to a rental licensing program, Hagerstown also
has a vacant residential structure ordinance, which was instituted in 2007, and has an
associated fee for inspections and registration.
Program Features
• Hagerstown has approximately 3000 properties with about 8200 units
• There are two classes of licenses in the Gaithersburg program:
o Single and multi-family rental units
o Rooming Houses – units that share bathroom, kitchens, etc.
• Rental fees
o $50 per single/multi-family unit
o $100 for rooming houses, plus $10 for each unit within said rooming
house
• Fines
o For non-compliance or failure to report tenant turnover, $500 per day not
to exceed $1000
• Vacant Structures*
o Fees
 $100 per unit
 Annual interior/exterior inspection
 Valid for one-year
• Services
o License fees are used to support:
 Code enforcement activities
 Other education services
• License renewal is required every year
• Inspections follow the renewal cycle
o Exterior inspection are performed with receipt of an application or renewal

8. o Interior inspections are performed at tenant turnover, but never more
frequently than once every 3 years.
• Exceptions include:
o New construction, within the first year of the issuance of the Use &
Occupancy permit
o “Owners-plus-one”, which are rental facilities where a portion of the
premises is owner-occupied and said premises contain no more than one
rental unit.
o Rental facilities owned and operated by Hagerstown Housing Authority
o Single unit rental properties occupied by tenants who are related within a
certain degree to the owner are exempt from paying the application fee,
but still must register. These exempt tenants are: parents, grandparents,
children, grandchildren and siblings, whether naturally, step or in-law.
*Denotes additional information included in Hagerstown #7 of Rental Licensing Survey
**Additional information is available at http://www.hagerstownmd.org/engineering/CodeAdmin/Licensing.asp
Salisbury
Salisbury enacted a rental licensing program in 2006 and it’s enforced by the city’s
Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance division. Similar to Hagerstown, Salisbury
has a vacant property ordinance that requires owners to register their properties and
makes the liable for property degradation. One unique aspect of the Salisbury program is
a Slum Property of the Week, which is featured on the City’s homepage. The property’s
owners are listed along with police calls for service and enforcement notices of violation
handed to the property in the last two years. To compliment these types of properties, the
city has enacted a Property Maintenance Habitual Offender ordinance, which carries a
$500 fine for rental properties that attain such status.
Program Features
• Salisbury has approximately 1800 – 1900 single-family units
• Rental fees
o $50 annually ($25 for license, $25 for registration)
• Fines
o For non-compliance, $200 per day
• Vacant Property fee*
o $25 per year for registration
• Services
o License fees are used to support:
 Slum Property of the Week*
 Habitual Offender tracking *
 Code enforcement activities
 Other education services
• License renewal is required annually (for both rental and vacant properties)
• Inspections do not follow the renewal cycle
o All properties must be inspected upon initial application for rental license
o There is a non-mandatory lottery inspection pool for renewal licenses

9.  Inspectors try to do an inspection once every three years
*Denotes additional information included in Salisbury section #8 of Rental Licensing Survey
**Additional information is available at
http://www.ci.salisbury.md.us/Departments/NeighborhoodServicesandCodeCompliance/tabid/536/Default.aspx
Takoma Park
The City of Takoma Park share’s code enforcement services with Montgomery County,
and the City has mirrored (or shares) many of the County’s value-added services with
regards to rental licensing. Included in these is inspection/complaint response (including
an online compliant form); a similar landlord/tenant commission; and similar code
language. Takoma Park has also mandated a certification program for landlords and
property agents. The three-year certification is required prior to the issuance of all rental
housing licenses and can be obtained by attending a 90-minute seminar or upon the
successful completion of a 60-question multiple choice exam.
Program Features
• Takoma Park has approximately 400-500 rental properties
• Fees
o $94 per unit
• Fines
o For non-compliance, $500 for first office, $750 for subsequent
• Services
o License fees are used to support:
 Landlord-tenant dispute resolution process
 Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs
 Landlord Certification Program
• Good for three (3) years
o 90-min class offered once per month, OR
o 60-question written exam
 My TKPK Customer Service Center
(http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/customer_service/index.html)
 On-line complaint form (Maintained by Montgomery Co.)
 Rent Stabilization Program

10.  Code enforcement activities
 Other education (workshops and seminars for tenants/landlords)
• License renewal is required annually
o Takoma has a Biennial Residential Rental Inspection Program, which
allows well-maintained (fewer than 5 minor violations) properties to apply
every two (2) years.
• Inspections follow the renewal cycle
o Inspections are conducted under contract with the Montgomery County
Department of Housing and Community Affairs' Code Enforcement staff
o County inspection staff also responds to all complaints filed by tenants or
others regarding the condition of a rental property
*Denotes additional information included in Takoma Park section #9 of Rental Licensing Survey
**Additional information on an alternative to the class (a written exam) is available at:
http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/hcd/documents/Certification%20Exam%20%20Apr%202009.pdf
***For more information on Tokoma Park’s program, visit http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/hcd/code_enforcement/index.html
Hyattsville
Hyattsville operates a fairly standard rental licensing program that includes inspections
upon application and license renewal. The City has an online complaint form and request
tracking system that allows citizens to file complaints using the Web. Hyattsville has two
inspectors who manage a total 240 rental properties.
Program Features
• Hyattsville has approximately 240 rental properties
• There are two classes of dwellings in the Hyattsville program:
o Multi-family units:
 Apartment buildings, complexes, etc.
o Single family
 Townhouses, duplex, etc.
• Fees
o $225 per unit for single-family units
o $120 per unit for multi-family units
• Fines
o For non-compliance, $1000
• Services
o License fees are used to support:
 On-line complaint form
(http://www.hyattsville.org/requesttracker.aspx)
 Code enforcement activities
 Other education*
• License renewal
o Required annually for single-family dwellings

11. o Multi-family units are valid for two years
• Inspections follow the renewal cycle
o Inspections are conducted every year for single-family dwellings and
biannually for multi-family units
*Denotes additional information included in Hyattsville #10 of Rental Licensing Survey
**For more information on Hyattsville’s program, visit http://www.hyattsville.org/index.aspx?NID=154