Rental Housing Licenses

All buildings or a portion of a building that contain one to six dwelling units intended or designated as rental units must register and be licensed with Baltimore County on or before January 1, 2009 (extended deadline).

Watch the 10-minute video for additional information regarding the Rental Licensing Program.

Note: If you are filing an Exemption Affidavit, there is no fee required.

Applications | Registration Summary | Deadlines | Inspection | Registration Reports | Information | FAQ | Video

Applications 

Download Rental Application Packet (select all items below) or individual forms as needed. The applications (PDF) will open in a new window. Fill-in, print and sign. 

• Rental Registration Exemption Affidavit (No fee required)
• Rental Housing Application
• Inspection Sheet
• Payment Coupon
• FAQ

The following must be returned together (signatures must be original IN BLUE ink):

• A Completed application with all information printed, typed, checked, or circled as appropriate.
• Applicable lead inspection certificate (see page 2 of application).   
• Completed rental license inspection sheet (completed by licensed home inspector) or “Registration Exemption Affidavit.” (No fee is required for an exemption affidavit.)
• Payment payable to “Baltimore County, Maryland” attached to payment coupon.

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What is the "Rental Registration Program"?

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.

Purpose - To establish a licensing program in the county in order to create an additional procedure for the enforcement of county codes and regulations

• to protect and
• to promote public safety, health and welfare.

This program is a County Council initiative that started as a pilot program in certain neighborhoods and has grown, by vote of the Council, to cover the entire County on February 3, 2008.

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Deadlines

You must have registered and been licensed on or before January 1, 2009 (extended deadline).

Informational Note: Due by February 15, 2008:

• If application fee was paid prior to December 31, 2007 for the original "pilot program"
• and the property was not inspected
• and you never received your license

then, contact Code Enforcement (410-887-8099) to set up an inspection. If the property passes inspection, under the new bill, your license renewal has been extended for one year. (e.g. Current license expires 02/01/2008, you do not have to re-register until 02/01/2009.)

Please refer to the Exemption Affidavit (no fee required) to see if you are exempt from registering. 

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Inspection

  Some of the items checked for:

• smoke detectors
• electrical system
• all plumbing - functional
• windows are operational
• proper ventilation of all combustion appliances (furnace, hot water heater, dryer
• secondary means of escape from sleeping areas
• no exterior safety hazards

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Rental Registration Reports - Some files are large and may take longer to load. These reports are updated monthly.

• Alphabetically by Street Name (PDF) - Exemptions codes included in this report are explained at the end of the report.
• Summary by Councilmanic District (PDF)
• Summary by Zip Code (PDF)

Disclaimer: This information was provided by property owners and compiled by Baltimore County for public access. Baltimore County makes no representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of this information, but rather disclaims responsibility for errors herein and reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice.

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• Code Enforcement at 410-887-3351 or e-mail:  pdmenforce@baltimorecountymd.gov 
• Licensed Home Inspectors
• FAQ - Rental Registration frequently asked questions.

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 (Need PDF help?)

Revised June 15, 2009