Starting January 1, 2024, landlords who own rental properties in the City of Frederick will be required to hold a valid rental license. The fee will be $240.00 and the license will be valid for a period of two years.

In preparation for the upcoming requirement, the City has developed an online portal for landlords to register rental properties to prepare for the launch of the Rental Licensing Ordinance, an initiative aimed at ensuring safe housing for all renters in Frederick.

Under the Rental Licensing Ordinance, rental units are mandated to meet specific standards, ensuring the safety, health, and comfort of tenants. To maintain transparency and accountability, random building inspections by the Code Enforcement team will be carried out with a 30-day notice to landlords. Additionally, landlords are required to have local representatives for their properties, fostering better communication and faster issue resolution. Landlords should ensure compliance with the ordinance by registering your rental units by December 31st, 2023.

The licensing requirement applies to apartments, townhomes, single-family homes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

For Tenants: If you come across rental properties that do not meet the minimum maintenance standards outlined in the ordinance, please report them by submitting a code complaint to the Code Enforcement Department.

You can read more about the ordinance and its requirements here, and you can find the required codes and safety standards here. (Link opens a PDF you can download.)

Information on this website (1) is not intended to convey or constitute legal advice, as we are not attorneys, and (2) is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney.