***IMPORTANT UPDATE***
Effective July 1, 2022, DHCD launched a new
Property Registration and Rental Licensing Portal

Please read the important updates and information below.

Quick Property Registration Link

PROPERTY REGISTRATION

All non-owner-occupied properties in Baltimore City, including one and two-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings (3 or more units), vacant buildings, and vacant lots are required to be registered each year. The registration period is January through December and property registration fees must be paid every year for the property to be considered registered.  Registration is required whether or not the property is a rental, whether or not it is occupied, unoccupied, vacant, and whether or not it is generating income.

If you have an existing property registration account on file, you are required to re-register and set up a new profile & new registration for each property in the new property registration portal no later than August 31, 2022. Each property must be registered on a separate registration.  A new property registration number will be assigned for each property.   

RENTAL LICENSING

All non-owner-occupied properties in Baltimore City that are rental properties must be licensed to operate as a rental, in addition to being registered. To obtain a rental license, the property must meet the following requirements:

1. Complete the online property registration and include the owner's current contact information;
2. Submit a passing 3rd party inspection report(s) performed by a State licensed inspector who is registered with Baltimore City or a passing Section 8 inspection report(s) for each unit. For multi-family dwellings, please refer to the MFD chart for the required number of units that need to be inspected;
3. Submit current lead certification information for each unit in the property;
4. Pay all registration fees due, and;
5. Have no open code violation(s).

EXISTING RENTAL LICENSES

Current existing licenses will remain valid until the expiration date on the license. If you have an existing rental license, you are still required to register your property in the new online portal, but you will not have to resubmit inspection reports or verify the lead certification information. New inspection reports must be obtained and submitted prior to the expiration date on the current rental license and the lead certification information must be entered to obtain a new license.

NEW RENTAL PROPERTY REGISTRATIONS

For all new rental property registrations, inspection reports MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 30 DAYS of the inspections for one and two-family dwellings and WITHIN 90 DAYS of the inspection for multi-family dwellings (3 or more units). Inspection reports submitted out of this date range will not be accepted and you will need to obtain new inspection reports. Section 8 inspection reports must not be older than one year. New/Initial rental licenses will be issued for two years. Subsequent licenses will be valid for three years

REGISTRATION DEADLINE AND PORTAL CAPABILITIES

All applicants, whether submitting a new registration or if there is an existing registration are required to set up a new profile and new registrations for their properties in the new property registration portal by August 31, 2022.

Property registration fees for the 2022 registration year may now be made in the new property registration portal. Fees should be made by August 31, 2022, to avoid citations, interest, and penalties.

All properties must be registered separately and will be issued new registration numbers unique to each property.

You may now add multiple persons to view/access your online property registration account by completing the GUEST section after the registration has been submitted.

Inspection reports may now be attached and lead certification can be entered at the time of your new/initial registration.

Click here to visit our website to create a new profile and new property registration.

NEED HELP? See Step-by-Step Instruction Sheet for New Property Registration Portal

CREATE a NEW PROFILE and NEW PROPERTY REGISTRATION

(NOTE:  Beginning July 1, you are required to create a new profile & new registration online in the new system)

Please also be advised that we are currently experiencing an extremely high call and email volume.  Staff is working to respond to every message in the order in which they are received.  We appreciate your patience during this time as we work to respond to you. 

Short Term Rental Renewals ***** Current Licenses Extended Until Further Notice 

You may apply for a new Short Term Rental license by clicking the link below. Any existing Short Term rental license that expires between January 1, 2022, and August 31, 2022, will remain valid until further notice. 

If you are submitting a new Short Term Rental application or if you have an existing Short Term Rental account, you will be required to create a new online account and new Short Term Rental registration in the new online portal once launched.

Learn more about Short-Term Rentals and get instructions on how to apply for a Short-Term Rental license.

Search here to determine if a property in Baltimore City is currently licensed and registered as a rental property. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Lease Addendum - Tenant's Rights (to be provided at lease signing).

FAIR HOUSING INFORMATION FOR HOUSING PROFESSIONALS

Landlords Brochure
Landlords Brochure (Chinese)
Landlords Brochure (Traditional Chinese)
Landlords Brochure (Korean)
Landlords Brochure (Spanish)

State Licensed Home Inspectors

 To become a Baltimore City Registered Home Inspector or to access your account click here.

Inspection Forms

Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form
Addendum to Rental Licensing Checklist for Multifamily Properties
Inspection Checklist Guidance Document

List of Registered Home Inspectors

For a list of Baltimore City Registered, Home Inspectors Click here.

Rental Property Resources and Information

Registration and Licensing Requirements Brochure
Baltimore City Code, Article 13

• Subtitle 4 – Registration of Non-Owner-Occupied Dwellings, Rooming Houses, and Vacant Structures
• Subtitle 5 – Licensing of Rental Dwellings
• Subtitle 5 – Licensing of Rental Dwellings

Sanitation Guide for Posting in Units
Sanitation Brochure (English)
Sanitation Brochure (Español)