Baltimore City Rental Licensing 2025: What Changed and How to Pass on the First Try

Inspector checking for licensing issuance

If you own a rental in Baltimore, you already know the City takes safety and compliance seriously—and 2025 isn’t the year to play catch-up. The good news: passing your Baltimore City rental inspection is straightforward when you know exactly what DHCD expects, what paperwork to prep, and how to avoid the common “gotchas” that trigger re-inspections and delays.

Below is a plain-English walkthrough you can actually use. We’ll cover the steps, the forms, realistic timelines, and a pre-inspection prep list you can hand to your handyman or property manager today.

Quick refresher: what the City requires (and why owners get tripped up)

Baltimore City requires every non-owner-occupied residential unit to be registered, inspected by an approved third party, and licensed before it can be rented. This expanded licensing framework has been in effect since 2018 and captures one-, two-, and multi-family dwellings. In other words, if it’s a rental, it needs a license—and a passing inspection—to operate legally. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

At a high level, owners must:

Register the property with DHCD,
Get a passing inspection from a state-licensed, City-registered inspector,
Upload the documents and pay fees to obtain the license, and
Post or keep the license accessible depending on the building type. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

If your building was built before 1978, Maryland’s lead law also applies (with exceptions for units that are MDE-certified “lead-free” or “limited lead-free”). You’ll need the appropriate lead certificate at key moments—especially at change of occupancy. Department of the Environment+1

What’s new or notable for 2025?

While the City’s core rental license framework remains the same, Baltimore continues to update guidance and operational procedures to keep compliance tight and predictable. For owners, the practical takeaway is simple: plan proactively and align to the City’s latest inspection and registration guidance—not last year’s blog or a neighbor’s anecdote. DHCD’s most recent inspection guidelines emphasize scheduling cut-offs, property registration requirements for all non-owner-occupied units, and where to find the right contact points. Build your licensing timeline around these logistics so you’re never stuck waiting. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

The pass-on-the-first-try game plan

Step 1: Confirm your registration & documents

Register (or confirm registration) with DHCD. Make sure the owner’s contact info is current. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov
Lead compliance for pre-1978 rentals. Verify that your MDE registration is current and that you have the correct lead certificate on hand (or a lead-free/limited lead-free cert). Remember: since 2015, a new lead inspection certificate is required at each change of occupancy for pre-1978 properties subject to the law. Department of the Environment+1

Step 2: Book a Baltimore City–registered inspector

DHCD requires a state-licensed inspector who is also registered with Baltimore City (or a qualifying Section 8 inspection). Working with a firm that inspects Baltimore rentals every day helps you cruise through the nuances—rowhome quirks, basement egress, older electrical systems, and so on. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Step 3: Pre-inspection tune-ups (the “fail-less” checklist)

Most re-inspections come from small, fixable items. Don’t let $25 parts cause a second visit. Prep the unit with the essentials inspectors look for:

Smoke alarms and CO detectors installed correctly and working. Placement matters: smoke alarms are required on each level, and CO alarms near sleeping areas in dwellings with fuel-burning appliances. Replace smoke alarms older than 10 years with modern, sealed units. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov+2dhcd.baltimorecity.gov+2
GFCI protection near water sources (kitchens, baths, laundry areas, basements with sinks).
Electrical safety: no missing cover plates, no exposed wiring, proper fixtures.
Handrails/guardrails secure where required; stairs are safe and continuous.
Windows and doors open/close/lock; basement bedrooms have proper egress. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov
Plumbing free of leaks; hot/cold working; traps intact; no active drips.
Heat system functional; filters fresh; no combustion hazards.
Weather-tight exterior, gutters, and downspouts working; no active water intrusion.
Sanitary conditions: unit is clean; no active pests; trash contained. NextDay Inspect

Pro tip: If your building is multi-family (3+ units), prep your common areas too—lighting, egress signage, fire separation, and alarm systems often trigger avoidable fails. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Step 4: Pass the inspection and upload promptly

Once you pass, upload the report and any required documents to the City’s portal and pay the licensing fee. Make sure you understand whether your license must be posted (multi-family) or kept accessible (1–2 family). dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Step 5: Calendar your renewals and turnover triggers

Lead certificates: for affected pre-1978 units, new certs are required at each change of occupancy. Build this into your turnover checklist. Department of the Environment
License renewals: keep your license active and visible/accessible as required, and re-inspect on schedule to avoid lapses.

The “fail-less” prep list you can copy/paste

Use this before the inspector arrives:

Install/verify smoke alarms on each level; replace any unit older than 10 years. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov
Install/verify CO alarm(s) outside sleeping areas if you have fuel-burning appliances. habc.org
Test GFCIs at kitchen/bath/laundry/utility locations and replace if they won’t trip/reset.
Secure handrails/guardrails; repair loose treads, risers, and landings.
Confirm egress from basement bedrooms; replace stuck or painted-shut windows. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov
Fix plumbing leaks; run every faucet and flush every toilet.
Verify heat is operational; replace filters; clear combustibles near boilers/furnaces.
Weather-seal windows/doors; clear gutters/downspouts; redirect water away from foundation.
Declutter hallways and stairs; ensure common-area lighting works; test alarms. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov
For pre-1978, print the current lead certificate and keep it with your files. Department of the Environment

Timeline owners actually use (no fluff)

2–3 weeks before license/renewal:

Confirm DHCD registration status, MDE lead compliance, and documents.
Walk the unit with the prep list above; assign repairs immediately. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov+1

7–10 days before inspection:

Book a City-registered inspector and lock in your slot.
Re-check smoke/CO/GFCI and common areas if multi-family. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov+1

Inspection day:

Ensure full access to all rooms, mechanical areas, panels, and exterior.
Bring keys, codes, and the lead certificate if applicable.

Within 24 hours of passing:

Upload the report, complete the online application, and pay fees.
Post/retain the license as required by your dwelling type. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Common reasons owners fail (and how to fix them fast)

Aging smoke alarms: They look fine but fail age/placement rules. Install sealed, long-life units and follow floor-by-floor placement. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov
Missing CO alarms: Especially in older rowhomes with gas appliances—install them outside sleeping areas. habc.org
GFCI oversights: Kitchens and baths get missed; laundry sinks and basements, too.
Painted-shut windows/blocked egress: A quick fix if you plan ahead. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov
Common-area lighting and fire doors: Multi-family owners often forget these; test before the inspection. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov
Paperwork gaps: Lead cert missing or expired, registration not completed, or license not posted after issuance. Department of the Environment+1

What about lead paint in Baltimore rentals?

If your property was built before 1978, Maryland’s Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing Act applies unless you hold a valid lead-free or limited lead-free certificate. You must be registered with MDE, meet the risk reduction standard, and—since 2015—obtain a new lead inspection certificate at each change of occupancy for affected properties. Treat this like a non-negotiable line item in your turnover process. For general guidance, see the MDE owner requirements and Baltimore City health resources for tenants. Department of the Environment+2Department of the Environment+2

Multi-family buildings: extra boxes to tick

For 3+ unit buildings, inspectors also evaluate shared spaces—hallways, stairwells, mechanical rooms—and verify fire separation, alarm systems, and exits/signage where required. Create a monthly common-area checklist so you’re never scrambling the night before the inspection. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Why fast reporting matters (and how it protects your cash flow)

Delays between “pass” and “license in hand” can mean extra vacancy days or compliance headaches. Work with an inspector known for same-day or next-morning reporting so you can upload promptly and keep units rent-ready. DHCD’s licensing steps are straightforward, but they’re sequential—slow in one step stalls the whole process. dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Make licensing simple. Book your Baltimore City rental inspection with A Home Sweet Home Inspection, get a clean pass, and keep your rentals compliant without the stress. We’re known for thorough inspections and fast report turnaround—so you can upload, license, and lease without losing time.