Rental Housing Licensing
Licensing and Inspection of Residential Rental Units
In January of 2025, the Burgess and Commissioners passed ordinance no. 24-12-01 that requires all rental units or portions of a dwelling that are rented to be licensed with the town. The purpose of this ordinance is to ensure that rental properties are registered, and tenants are aware of their rights and are living in appropriate conditions (rental units that meet a minimum livability code). All rental dwellings and/or units must be registered by July 1, 2025. The annual fee for a license is $25 per unit (a unit is a house, townhouse, condo, apartment or room that is rented either short-term or long-term). Any owner that fails to obtain a license for their property or dwelling unit will incur a $10 a month late fee. Rental properties are subject to inspection on a complaint basis by Frederick County’s Housing Inspector.
All questions related to this ordinance and program should be directed to the Town’s Zoning Administrator at zoning@ci.middletown.md.us
Links
Rental Housing License Application
Ordinance
https://www.middletown.md.us/index.asp?SEC=CB183E45-3305-4D67-AF9F-06E08E5F1DF2&Type=B_BASIC
Tenants Bill of Rights
https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Tenant-Landlord-Affairs/Pages/default.aspx
Frederick County Minimum Livability Code and Housing Inspector