Permits by Project
Do You Need a Permit for Rental license before re-renting?
Re-renting a unit: the rental license, registration or inspection needed before a new tenant moves in.
Of the 10 areas we checked, a permit is required in 4, no permit is needed in 1, it depends on the scope in 1 and we found no official answer in 4.
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
Permit required- When it applies
- renting a single-family home (or any rental unit)
- Permits
- Rental license
- Notes
- DLCP: 'Yes, you are required to obtain a Basic Business License for the One Family Rental category.' Fees: $49/6 mo, $99/2 yr, $198/4 yr. Multi-unit rental properties are covered by DOB's Proactive Inspection Program.
Source: DLCP Business Licensing FAQs, checked 2026-10-07
Maryland
Anne Arundel County, MD
Permit required- When it applies
- Multiple Dwelling License (MDL) 'required for most residential dwelling units offered for rent'
- Permits
- Rental license
- Faster route
- LUN online
- Notes
- MDL requires Zoning Certificate of Use + Health/Fire Marshal inspection + MDE lead compliance; non-resident owners need a resident agent; 2-year license expiring Jan 31.
Source: AA County Housing Resource Portal; MDL page, checked 2026-10-07
Charles County, MD
No permit- When it applies
- no rental license/registration/inspection program in effect as of 2026-10-07
- Notes
- Proposed Bill 2026-08 (Charles County Rental Licensing) introduced 9/22/2026; public hearing scheduled 10/20/2026 — PENDING, not law. Draft would exempt units in La Plata and Indian Head; fee covers two inspections.
Source: Charles County news releases 2026-084, 9/22/2026 meeting highlights, checked 2026-10-07
Montgomery County, MD
Permit required- When it applies
- before ANY residential unit is rented or advertised for rent (County Code Ch. 29)
- Permits
- Rental license
- Notes
- DHCA rental housing license; annual 7/1–6/30; covers SF homes, townhouses, apartments, ADUs; fees $30–$55; pre-1978 properties need MDE lead compliance. Unlicensed landlords face civil citations and cannot pursue rent claims in District Court.
Source: DHCA Licensing and Registration, checked 2026-10-07
Prince George's County, MD
Permit required- When it applies
- any single-family or multifamily unit offered for rent (in DPIE jurisdiction)
- Permits
- Rental license
- Faster route
- Momentum online licensing
- Notes
- DPIE administers Single-Family, Multifamily, and Short-Term Rental Licensing; 'an inspection may be conducted before a permanent license is issued.' 18 municipalities (incl. Bowie, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Hyattsville) administer their own rental licenses — NOT in DPIE jurisdiction.
Source: DPIE Code Enforcement — Rental Licenses, checked 2026-10-07
Northern Virginia
Arlington County, VA
Not confirmed- Notes
- No official answer found. no official Arlington County rental license or rental inspection program found.
Ask the permit office: Inspection Services Division (Permit Arlington)
City of Alexandria, VA
Depends- When it applies
- properties in designated Residential Rental Inspection districts must register and be inspected
- Permits
- Rental inspection registration, Certificate of compliance
- Notes
- 48-month certificate of compliance; ~$75/unit inspection fee; covers ~4,048 multifamily + some single-family rentals; per Va. Code 36-105.1:1 and Alexandria City Code 8-1-110.
Source: Alexandria Residential Rental Inspections Program, checked 2026-10-07
Fairfax County, VA
Not confirmed- Notes
- No official answer found. no official Fairfax County rental license or rental inspection program found (the City of Fairfax, a separate jurisdiction, has its own).
Ask the permit office: Land Development Services (LDS)
Loudoun County, VA
Not confirmed- Notes
- No official answer found. no official Loudoun County rental license or rental inspection program found (only HCV/Section 8 inspections).
Ask the permit office: Building and Development
Prince William County, VA
Not confirmed- Notes
- No official answer found. no official Prince William County rental inspection/licensing program found.
Ask the permit office: Building Development Division, Department of Development Services
Summarized from each area’s official permit pages and codes, as of October 2026. Some Maryland municipalities issue their own permits, rules change, and many answers depend on the exact scope, so confirm with the permit office before work starts. This is general information, not legal advice.
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