Everything You Need to Know About Baltimore City’s Rental Property Registration & Licensing Requirement

What the Law Covers: Scope & History

• Until recently, only multi-unit dwellings in Baltimore required licensing. But under Council Bill 18‑0185, effective August 1, 2018, all residential rental units in Baltimore City—including one- and two-family houses—must register, inspect, and license by January 1, 2019. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov
  Maryland People's Law Library

• Importantly, registration applies even if the property is vacant, unoccupied, not generating income, or simply non-owner-occupied. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

• The applicable law is found in the Baltimore City Code, Article 13, Subtitle 4 (Registration) and Subtitle 5 (Licensing). Maryland People's Law Library

Why this change matters:

1. Leveling the playing field—one- and two-family dwellings are now regulated like bigger rental buildings.

2. Ensuring safety and habitability across all rental housing, regardless of size.

3. Providing clearer enforcement tools for the City in cases of unsafe or unlicensed rentals.

Registration Requirements: Step-by-Step

To comply with the registration requirement, you must complete the following for every non-owner-occupied dwelling unit:

1. Register the property

• Use the online portal (via the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)). dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

  Provide the owner’s current contact information and property specifics (address, number of units, occupancy status).

• Pay the annual registration fee. (Fees vary; see the registration portal for specifics.) dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

• Note: Registration must be renewed every year (January 1 – December 31). dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

2. Transfer or new acquisition

• When you buy a property, you must register it within 10 days of transfer. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

3. Continue to pay fees even if the property is vacant

• Even if you’re not currently renting or the property is empty, registration is still required. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov +1

Inspection & Licensing: What You Must Do

Once registered, if you intend to rent the property, you must pursue licensing and inspection.

Licensing requirements

To obtain a rental license, you must:

1. Complete property registration (see previous section) with the current owner's contact info. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

2. Submit a passing third-party inspection report by a State-licensed and City-registered home inspector—or submit a valid §8 inspection if applicable. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

   • Multi-family dwellings need only a portion of units inspected per the City’s “MFD chart”. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

3. Provide current lead certification for each unit (especially for buildings constructed before 1978). Ben Frederick Realty

4. Pay all registration and licensing fees owed.

5. Have no open code violations on the property. If there are violations, those must be abated before license issuance. Maryland People's Law Library

Timeline and Validity

• Initial licenses are typically two years, after which renewals may be for one to three years, depending on the property’s compliance history. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

• Inspection reports must be relatively recent (for new registrations: inspection report within 30 days for 1-2 family dwellings; 90 days for multi-family dwellings). dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

What the inspector will look for

Inspectors assess for basic life-safety, health, and habitability items, including:

• Electrical system hazards

• Plumbing and functioning utilities

• Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Sanitary interior and exterior conditions

• Proper lead paint certification (for older buildings) dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Why This Matters: Risks & Penalties for Non-Compliance

Risks for landlords

• Without a current license, a landlord may not legally collect rent from tenants. Maryland People's Law Library

• Non-compliance may lead to civil citations, misdemeanor charges, and fines up to $1,000 per offense. Maryland People's Law Library

• Properties with open code violations risk license denial or suspension.

Risks for tenants

• Renting an unlicensed property may impair your legal protections (eviction cases, habitability claims).

• You have a right to verify a landlord’s license status via City records. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Financial & reputational consequences

• Unlicensed properties can impact resale or refinancing due to unresolved housing code issues.

• A property flagged for registration or licensing violations can reduce investor confidence and tenant demand.

Key Tips for Landlords: Best Practices & Pitfalls to Avoid

Best practices

• Register early: Don’t wait until a tenant moves in—complete registration as soon as you acquire the property.

• Schedule inspections proactively: Book a State-licensed inspector and correct any issues before submission.

• Keep documentation: Retain inspection reports, lead certificates, code violation clearances—store them for at least several years.

• Monitor renewal dates: Even if you’ve previously obtained a license, renewal may require a fresh inspection depending on your compliance history.

• Use the official portal: Use the DHCD online portal for registration and renewal to avoid errors and delays.

• Check your managing agent status: If you use a property manager, make sure their contact and license details are up-to-date in the City’s system.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Waiting until a tenant signs a lease to register and inspect the property.

• Using an inspector not registered with Baltimore City, the report may be rejected.

• Failing to pay registration or licensing fees on time leads to late penalties or an invalid license.

• Overlooking multi-family inspection partial-unit rules (the “MFD chart”).

• Ignoring lead-paint certification rules for older buildings—this can delay licensing.

"FAQs" Common Questions from Landlords & Tenants

Q: Is owner-occupied property exempt from registration/licensing?
A: Yes—owner-occupied 1- and 2-family homes where the owner resides in the property are generally exempt from the rental license requirement. Maryland People's Law Library

Q: Can I still rent if my license has expired?
A: No. Without a current rental license, you may not legally collect rent, and you risk enforcement actions. Maryland People's Law Library

Q: If I already have a property registered, do I still need to inspect it each year?
A: Not necessarily every year—initial license requires inspection, renewal inspections vary (1-3 years) depending on compliance history. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Q: What if my building was built before 1978—what about lead paint?
A: If so, you must submit lead certification for each unit (XRF testing or certified lead-free certificate) per the above requirements. Ben Frederick Realty

Q: How do I check if a property has a valid license or registration?
A: Use the public verification tool on the DHCD website to search by address, block/lot, or zip. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Conclusion: Staying Ahead & Protecting Your Investment

Navigating Baltimore City’s rental registration, inspection, and licensing regime isn’t merely a bureaucratic step—it’s an essential component of owning and operating rental housing legally and responsibly. By staying proactive, organized, and compliant, you protect your rental income, avoid costly enforcement, and build trust with tenants.

If you’re a landlord in Baltimore, treat registration and licensing as non-negotiable tasks, integrated into your regular property management workflow. Missed deadlines or undocumented inspections can ripple into lost income, legal liability, or even curtail your ability to enforce leases.

Take action now: Verify your property’s registration, schedule the appropriate inspection, submit all required documents, pay fees, and secure your rental license. It’s the best path forward for smooth, lawful operations—and peace of mind.