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Last verified: · Confidence: high

When is rental registration or license renewal due in Howard County?

Short answer

Rental housing license: required before leasing; renew every 2 years ($93.50 per unit from July 1, 2026)

When: Every 2 years from the license application date

Get a rental housing license before entering into a lease. Licenses last two years and cost $93.50 per dwelling unit (fee schedule effective July 1, 2026, including the technology fee). Restoring an expired license costs $25 plus the license fee.

"The owner of a residential unit must have a rental housing license before entering into a lease with a tenant."
howardcountymd.gov
"A rental housing license is valid for a period of two years"
howardcountymd.gov
"Licenses are biennial (every two years)."
howardcountymd.gov

Source: howardcountymd.gov · Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Full rule details

Howard County, MD rules on this topic

Rental housing license: required before leasing; renew every 2 years ($93.50 per unit from July 1, 2026) Verified

Deadline: Every 2 years from the license application date

Get a rental housing license before entering into a lease. Licenses last two years and cost $93.50 per dwelling unit (fee schedule effective July 1, 2026, including the technology fee). Restoring an expired license costs $25 plus the license fee.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Howard County, MD · Topic: Rental registration and licensing

Who it covers: Howard County Code § 14.901; Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits. Leases must say the tenant may end the lease without penalty if the license lapses for 15 or more consecutive days.

"The owner of a residential unit must have a rental housing license before entering into a lease with a tenant."
howardcountymd.gov
"A rental housing license is valid for a period of two years"
howardcountymd.gov
"Licenses are biennial (every two years)."
howardcountymd.gov
"Per dwelling unit ... $93.50"
howardcountymd.gov
"Late fee for restoration of an expired license after the billing period ... $25 plus the license fee"
howardcountymd.gov

Notes: Howard County landlord-tenant guide (Oct 2024) and FY27 fee schedule (Council Resolution 83-2026).

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Maryland statewide rules that also apply

Maryland statewide rules on this topic
RuleDeadlineConfidence
Register pre-1978 rental properties with MDE and renew by December 31 each yearEvery year by December 31high

Maryland rental registration renewal: when it is due

Same topic in other places

More: Rental registration and licensing in every covered place · All Howard County, MD landlord rules · Build a dated calendar