Landlord-Tenant Code Rewrite

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Landlord-Tenant Feedback Survey
We want to hear from you about what changes would be beneficial to the city's landlord-tenant code. Take the Landlord-Tenant Feedback Survey to provide your feedback.

Over the past 10 years, Rockville has gone from a 40% population of renters to renters now making up almost half of city residents. Since this trend is expected to continue, the city is seeking to ensure that renters have safe, healthy housing that meets their families' needs. With that goal in mind, Rockville is comprehensively reviewing its Landlord-Tenant Code (Chapter 18 – Rental Facilities and Landlord-Tenant Relations) and wants to hear from both landlords and tenants about their experiences in the city.

Rockville's Mayor and Council approved this initiative in November 2024 as a part of the city’s housing strategies work plan, which seeks to improve housing affordability and stability in the city.

What is included in the landlord-tenant code?

  • Landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.
  • Complaint process and Landlord-Tenant Affairs Commission.
  • Fee regulation.
  • Inspections.
  • Lease and notification requirements.
  • Rental licensing.
  • Minimum facilities requirements.
  • Voluntary rent guidelines.
  • Data collection.

Goals of the landlord-tenant code update

  • Provide clarity on existing code elements.
  • Consider alignment with surrounding jurisdictions’ codes.
  • Improve housing stability and opportunities for tenant agency.
  • Require greater transparency for tenants.
  • Ensure alignment with state of Maryland law.
  • Review local and national best practices.
  • Better connect data collection and city goals.

Landlord-Tenant Feedback Survey
We want to hear from you about what changes would be beneficial to the city's landlord-tenant code. Take the Landlord-Tenant Feedback Survey to provide your feedback.

Over the past 10 years, Rockville has gone from a 40% population of renters to renters now making up almost half of city residents. Since this trend is expected to continue, the city is seeking to ensure that renters have safe, healthy housing that meets their families' needs. With that goal in mind, Rockville is comprehensively reviewing its Landlord-Tenant Code (Chapter 18 – Rental Facilities and Landlord-Tenant Relations) and wants to hear from both landlords and tenants about their experiences in the city.

Rockville's Mayor and Council approved this initiative in November 2024 as a part of the city’s housing strategies work plan, which seeks to improve housing affordability and stability in the city.

What is included in the landlord-tenant code?

  • Landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.
  • Complaint process and Landlord-Tenant Affairs Commission.
  • Fee regulation.
  • Inspections.
  • Lease and notification requirements.
  • Rental licensing.
  • Minimum facilities requirements.
  • Voluntary rent guidelines.
  • Data collection.

Goals of the landlord-tenant code update

  • Provide clarity on existing code elements.
  • Consider alignment with surrounding jurisdictions’ codes.
  • Improve housing stability and opportunities for tenant agency.
  • Require greater transparency for tenants.
  • Ensure alignment with state of Maryland law.
  • Review local and national best practices.
  • Better connect data collection and city goals.

  • Mayor and Council Update Notice Requirements for Evictions and Review Changes to Rental Licensing Inspections

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    On November 10, 2025, the Rockville Mayor and Council amended the city's landlord-tenant code to require landlords to notify tenants 14 days ahead of a scheduled eviction.

    Effective October 1, 2025, state law requires a landlord to notify tenants of a scheduled eviction at least six days prior to the eviction date. The notice must be provided in written form through multiple methods, including by posting on the premises, a first-class mailing, and, if available, an email or text. Additionally, the law allows local jurisdictions to increase the requirement of the six-day notice to a 14-day notice. The recent Rockville Mayor and Council decision takes advantage of this enabling legislation to give tenants more time to prepare for eviction.

    Additionally, the Mayor and Council received a presentation from staff and provided feedback on the rental license inspection process (read the staff report). The enhancements suggested by staff are programmatic and don't require code amendments, but they will inform future conversations about the landlord-tenant code rewrite.

    Check out additional information about and resources from the meeting.

  • Landlord and Tenant Input Meetings to be Held May 20 and 27

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    To inform changes to the City of Rockville’s landlord-tenant code, we want to hear from both renters and landlords. City staff hosted two initial virtual input meetings, one for landlords and one for tenants. Both meetings included a brief presentation, followed by a chance to provide your input on improvements you’d like to see in current code. Your feedback helps inform staff research and recommendations for code updates.

    Please contact city staff with any accessibility accommodations you may need.

    If you’re unable to make the meeting, we invite you to take the Landlord-Tenant Feedback Survey, submit a comment or ask a question on Engage Rockville. The presentation from the meeting will be posted on Engage Rockville.

Page last updated: 19 Nov 2025, 12:19 PM