Howard County rental license: what landlords need before renting out a home

What the license involves

Howard County requires rental dwelling units — including single-family homes — to hold a Rental Housing License administered by DILP (410-313-2455). Application costs run roughly $20 to $93.50 depending on the property.

The county inspects the property before issuing the license: the unit must meet the Howard County Property Maintenance Code for Rental Housing. Plan the inspection into your make-ready timeline — a unit that needs repairs after inspection is a unit that isn't earning rent yet.

The license is valid for two years, and renewal requires continued code compliance.

What it's not — and what else you need

The county license doesn't cover Maryland's lead-paint requirement: if the home was built before 1978, it must also be registered with the Maryland Department of the Environment's Lead Rental Registry — $75 per unit as of January 2026, renewed every two years, and new owners must register within 30 days of purchase.

It also doesn't replace lease-level compliance: since October 1, 2024, Maryland caps security deposits at one month's rent (Md. Real Property § 8-203), and application fees over $25 carry refund obligations under § 8-213.

Why skipping it is expensive

In Maryland, operating an unlicensed rental where a license is required can bar you from using the courts to collect rent or pursue eviction — the license is what keeps your lease enforceable. Between that and county enforcement, the two-year license is the cheapest insurance a Howard County landlord can buy.

If we manage your property, licensing is included: we file the DILP application, schedule and attend the inspection, track the two-year renewals, and keep the MDE lead registration current.