Register or Renew Your Rental Property

• Owner-occupied, one or two tenants: $48 per unit
• Owner-occupied, three or more tenants: $60 per unit
• Not owner-occupied and Short-term Rentals: $60 per unit

All rental properties must be inspected. Have an inspection performed by a state-licensed home inspector. The inspector must complete an Inspection Sheet for each unit you intend to rent.

If the inspector is licensed or accredited with the state to perform both lead and home inspections, they can perform both required inspections for properties built prior to 1978.

Inspection Criteria

Inspectors look for the following:

• Smoke detectors
• Carbon Monoxide alarms are installed in the common area outside of sleeping areas and on every level of the dwelling unit
• Electrical system has no apparent visual hazards
• All plumbing is functional with no apparent visual hazards
• All windows designed to be opened are operational
• All combustion appliances (furnace, hot water heater, dryer, etc.) are properly vented
• Secondary means of escape from sleeping areas exist with no exterior health or safety hazards

Inspection Cost

Baltimore County does not negotiate rates of individual inspectors. The inspector's charges are negotiated between the property owner and the inspector.

Section 8 Rental Units

If your property is a Section 8 rental unit you do not have to do a separate licensing inspection. You must provide a copy of a Section 8 inspection that was completed in the past 12 months as well as the Rental Housing License Application and required fee.

You must provide the following with your application:

• The Inspection Sheet completed by a licensed home inspector in Step 2 above
• A Carbon Monoxide Alarm Verification
• If the home was built before 1978, a lead inspection certificate

You must comply with federal, State and County non-discrimination and accessibility regulations, as applicable. The regulations, exceptions and waiver conditions are described in the following pamphlets:

• Fair Housing Law
• Maryland Accessibility Act

Apply or Renew Online

Note: Please be sure to check that your rental property complies with all the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations. To locate your Zoning Designation, please visit My Neighborhood.

To apply for or renew your license online, you'll need:

• A valid email address
• A Visa or Mastercard to pay applicable fees
• All documentation from Step 3 above

You will be required to create an account and accept terms of use before beginning your application.

Apply or Renew by Mail or In Person

To apply or renew by mail or in person, you must:

• Print and complete the Rental Housing Application.
• Print and complete a payment coupon.
• Include all documentation from Step 3:
  • The Inspection Sheet completed by a licensed home inspector in Step 2 above
  • A Carbon Monoxide Alarm Verification
  • If the home was built before 1978, a lead inspection certificate

Then, return your application and supporting documentation to:

Rental Housing License Payments
Historic Courthouse, Room 151
400 Washington Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204