Local landlord and tenant rules in Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County, Maryland has local rules on rent regulation (Montgomery County Code §§ 29-57, 29-58; COMCOR 29.58.01), application fees (Montgomery County Code ch. 29; County Executive’s notice of March 1, 2026), rental registration (Montgomery County Code ch. 29) and 1 more kind of rule, on top of Maryland law.
Montgomery County rules
Rent regulation
Most County-licensed rental units in Montgomery County that are at least 23 years old — built in or before 2003, for 2026 — are rent stabilized: the rent may rise once in 12 months, by no more than the County’s annual allowance of the regional CPI-U plus 3% or 6%, whichever is lower. The allowance is 5.2% for increases taking effect from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, and a multi-year lease keeps one rent for its whole term. Gaithersburg, Rockville and Takoma Park are outside the County program.
Source: Montgomery County Code §§ 29-57, 29-58; COMCOR 29.58.01. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Application fees
For a rent-stabilized unit, the County’s fee allowances in effect from July 1, 2026 limit an application fee to $25 or the actual cost of the credit check and other screening.
Source: Montgomery County Code ch. 29; County Executive’s notice of March 1, 2026. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Rental registration
A Montgomery County rental must hold a County rental housing license before it is rented or advertised for rent, renewed every year it is rented. A room rented in a home its owner lives in, and rentals in Gaithersburg, Rockville, Takoma Park, Barnesville, Garrett Park and Laytonsville, are outside the County license.
Source: Montgomery County Code ch. 29. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Other landlord obligations
Before raising the rent or a fee on any County-licensed rental in Montgomery County — rent stabilized or not, a single-family home, townhouse, condominium or accessory dwelling unit included — the landlord must give the tenant written notice at least 90 days ahead, by U.S. mail or in person with a signed receipt.
Source: Montgomery County Code ch. 29; County Executive’s notice of March 1, 2026. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Questions about Montgomery County’s local rules
Does Montgomery County have rent control?
Most County-licensed rental units in Montgomery County that are at least 23 years old — built in or before 2003, for 2026 — are rent stabilized: the rent may rise once in 12 months, by no more than the County’s annual allowance of the regional CPI-U plus 3% or 6%, whichever is lower. The allowance is 5.2% for increases taking effect from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, and a multi-year lease keeps one rent for its whole term. Gaithersburg, Rockville and Takoma Park are outside the County program. (Montgomery County Code §§ 29-57, 29-58; COMCOR 29.58.01)
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Montgomery County?
Most County-licensed rental units in Montgomery County that are at least 23 years old — built in or before 2003, for 2026 — are rent stabilized: the rent may rise once in 12 months, by no more than the County’s annual allowance of the regional CPI-U plus 3% or 6%, whichever is lower. 2% for increases taking effect from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, and a multi-year lease keeps one rent for its whole term. (Montgomery County Code §§ 29-57, 29-58; COMCOR 29.58.01)
Does Montgomery County limit rental application fees?
For a rent-stabilized unit, the County’s fee allowances in effect from July 1, 2026 limit an application fee to $25 or the actual cost of the credit check and other screening. (Montgomery County Code ch. 29; County Executive’s notice of March 1, 2026)
Do landlords have to register rentals in Montgomery County?
A Montgomery County rental must hold a County rental housing license before it is rented or advertised for rent, renewed every year it is rented. A room rented in a home its owner lives in, and rentals in Gaithersburg, Rockville, Takoma Park, Barnesville, Garrett Park and Laytonsville, are outside the County license. (Montgomery County Code ch. 29)
What else does Montgomery County require of landlords?
Before raising the rent or a fee on any County-licensed rental in Montgomery County — rent stabilized or not, a single-family home, townhouse, condominium or accessory dwelling unit included — the landlord must give the tenant written notice at least 90 days ahead, by U.S. mail or in person with a signed receipt. (Montgomery County Code ch. 29; County Executive’s notice of March 1, 2026)
This is a summary of the local rules Seayora has read from each place’s own code, not legal advice. Ordinances change and a rule may have exceptions; check the citation and the office named before acting.