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  3. Rental License Requirements

Rental License Requirements

Learn about rental license requirements, including county and municipal requirements, and discover related resources.

Introduction

A common reason for a landlord to seek to evict a tenant is for the nonpayment of rent. Some counties and cities in Maryland require landlords to have a current rental property license. Often the purpose of the licensing requirement is to make sure that rental properties meet building code requirements for habitability. If a local government requires a license, and a landlord does not have a license, the landlord cannot bring a failure to pay rent action in District Court. Therefore, it is important for landlords and tenants to be aware of their county or municipal laws. To see if a property has the required license, contact the county or municipality where the property is located.

Read the Case: McDaniel v. Baranowski, 419 Md. 560 (2011)

Read more about Landlord and Tenant Causes of Action.

Some localities also require licenses for short term leasing, such as AirBnB or Vrbo. This page provides searchable lists of county laws and municipal laws with links to related resources.

 

County Laws

County Is There a License Requirement?
Allegany
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Anne Arundel
Baltimore City
Baltimore County
Calvert
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Caroline
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Carroll
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Cecil
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Charles
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Dorchester
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Frederick
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Garrett
Harford
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Howard
Kent
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Montgomery
Prince George's
Queen Anne's
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Somerset
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
St. Mary's
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Talbot
Washington
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Wicomico
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Worcester

 

City or Municipality

Municipality Requirements
Aberdeen
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Accident
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Annapolis
Baltimore City
Barclay
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Barnesville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Barton
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Bel Air
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Berlin
Berwyn Heights
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply to short term rentals. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Ordinance 120 § 4(A)
Betterton
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Bladensburg
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Boonsboro
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Bowie
Brentwood
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Brentwood Code, § 50-12
Brookview
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Brookeville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Brunswick
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Burkittsville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Cambridge
Capitol Heights
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Capitol Heights Code, § 12-103
Cecilton
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Centreville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Charlestown
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Chesapeake Beach
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Chesapeake Beach Code, § 162-14
Chesapeake City
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Chestertown
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Cheverly
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Cheverly Code, § 5-4
Chevy Chase
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Chevy Chase View
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Chevy Chase View Code, § 2-116
Chevy Chase Village
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Church Creek
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Church Hill
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Clear Spring
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
College Park
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: College Park Code, § 144-3
Colmar Manor
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Colmar Manor Code, § 5-108
Cottage City
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Crisfield
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Crisfield Code, § 91-3
Cumberland
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Cumberland Code, § 5-237
Deer Park
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Delmar
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Ordinance 671 
Denton
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Denton Code, § 98-3
District Heights
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: District Heights Code, § 10-31
Eagle Harbor
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
East New Market
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Easton
Edmonston
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Edmonston Code, § 381-1
Eldorado
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Elkton
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Emmitsburg
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Fairmount Heights
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Contact the City for the Code citation
Federalsburg
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Federalsburg Code, § 158-3
Forest Heights
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Forest Heights Code, § 3.2(C)
Frederick
Friendsville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Frostburg
Fruitland
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Fruitland Code, § 114.5
Funkstown
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Gaithersburg
Galena
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Garrett Park
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Glen Echo
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Glenarden
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Requirement does not appear in City Code
Goldsboro
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Grantsville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Greenbelt
Greensboro
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Greensboro Code, § 7-3
Hagerstown
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Hagerstown Code, § 197-3
Hampstead
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Hampstead Code, § 80-5
Hancock
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Havre de Grace
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Havre de Grace Code, § 147-4
Hebron
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Henderson
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Highland Beach
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Hillsboro
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Hurlock
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Hyattsville
Indian Head
  • Long Term License Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Indian Head Code, § 105-3
Keedysville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Kensington
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Kitzmiller
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
La Plata
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: La Plata Code, § 155-3
Landover Hills
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Landover Hills Code, § 41-4
Laurel
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Laurel Code, § 18-148
Laytonsville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Leonardtown
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Loch Lynn Heights
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Lonaconing
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Luke
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Manchester
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Manchester Code, § 161-5
Mardela Springs
Martin's Additions
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Marydel
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Middletown
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Midland
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Millington
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Millington Code, § 22-III
Morningside
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Morningside Code, § 14-242
Mount Airy
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Mount Rainier
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Mount Rainier Code § 7-105
Mountain Lake Park
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Myersville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
New Carrolton
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: New Carrolton Code § 89-4
New Market
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
New Windsor
North Beach
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: North Beach Code, § 69-14
North Brentwood
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: North Brentwood Code,  § 238-4
North Chevy Chase
North East
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Oakland
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Ocean City
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Ocean City Code, § 14-174
Oxford
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Oxford Code, § 19.2
Perryville
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Perryville Code, § 62-4
Pittsville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Pocomoke City
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Poolesville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Port Deposit
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Port Tobacco
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Preston
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Preston Code, § 83-11.
  • Editor's Note: An official version of the Code is not available electronically. The "Draft" version of the code (linked above) on the town website is identical to the print version.
Princess Anne
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Princess Anne Code, § 120-2
Queen Anne
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Queenstown
Ridgely
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Ridgely Code, § 124.2
Rising Sun
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Riverdale Park
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Riverdale Park Code, § 55-4
Rock Hall
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Rockville
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Rockville Code, § 18-111
Rosemont
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
St. Michaels
Salisbury
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Salisbury Code, § 15.26.040
Seat Pleasant
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Seat Pleasant Code, § 107-2
Secretary
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Sharpsburg
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Sharptown
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Sharptown Ordinance 56 § 3
Smithsburg
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Somerset
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Snow Hill
Sudlersville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Sykesville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Takoma Park
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Takoma Park Code § 6.08.020
Taneytown
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Templeville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Thurmont
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Trappe
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Trappe Code § 12.5
Union Bridge
  • Long Term License: no
  • Short Term License: No
University Park
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: University Park Code, § 13-203
Upper Marlboro
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Vienna
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Walkersville
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Washington Grove
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Westernport
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Westminster
  • Long Term License: Yes
  • Short Term License: The City Code does not have a specific short term license requirement, but the long term license requirement may apply. Contact the City for details.
  • Read the Law: Westminster Code, § 119-4
Willards
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Williamsport
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Woodsboro
  • Long Term License: No
  • Short Term License: No
Source
Reference Services Librarian
Last Updated:
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