EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb1152*
HOUSE BILL 1152
N1 5lr3387
CF SB 896
By: Delegate Stein Delegates Stein, Allen, Behler, Guyton, Healey, Ruth, and
Terrasa
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2025
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 5, 2025
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Real Property – Residential Rental Property – Pet Policy Disclosure 2
(Pet Policy Transparency Act) 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the a certain landlord of a residential rental property to 4
provide the property’s pet policy on the property’s website, in digital advertisements, 5
in certain search engines, and as part of an application for a rental unit on the 6
property; and generally relating to pet policies in residential rental property. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Real Property 9
Section 8–210 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 13
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 14
Article – Real Property 15
8–210. 16
(a) (1) The landlord of any residential rental property shall include in a 17
written lease or post a sign in a conspicuous place on that property listing the name, 18
address, and telephone number of: 19 2 HOUSE BILL 1152
(i) The landlord; or 1
(ii) The person, if any, authorized to accept notice or service of 2
process on behalf of the landlord. 3
(2) If a landlord fails to comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection, notice 4
or service of process shall be deemed to be proper if the tenant sends notice or service of 5
process by any of the following means: 6
(i) To the person to whom the rent is paid; 7
(ii) To the address where the rent is paid; or 8
(iii) To the address where the tax bill is sent. 9
(b) (1) This subsection applies only in Montgomery County. 10
(2) In this subsection, “development” has the meaning provided in § 11
11B–101 of this article. 12
(3) (i) Before execution by a tenant of a lease for an initial term of 125 13
days or more, the owner of any residential rental property within any condominium or 14
development shall provide to the prospective tenant, to the extent applicable, a copy of the 15
rules, declaration, and recorded covenants and restrictions that limit or affect the use and 16
occupancy of the property or common areas and to which the owner is obligated. 17
(ii) The written lease shall include a statement, if applicable, that 18
the obligations of the owner that limit or affect the use and occupancy of the property are 19
enforceable against the owner’s tenant. 20
(C) (1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLI ES ONLY TO A LANDLOR D WHO OWNS OR 21
OPERATES FIVE OR MORE INDIVIDUAL D WELLING UNITS IN THE STATE. 22
(2) THE A LANDLORD OF ANY RESIDENTIAL R ENTAL PROPERTY 23
SHALL: 24
(I) PROVIDE A LINK TO THE PROPERTY’S PET POLICY: 25
1. ON IF APPLICABLE, ON THE PROPERTY ’S WEBSITE; 26
2. IN ANY DIGITAL ADVERTISEMENT BY THE LANDLORD 27
FOR THE PROPERTY ; AND 28
3. IN ANY INFORMATION PR OVIDED FOR A RESIDEN TIAL 29
RENTAL SEARCH ENGINE BY THE LANDLORD ; AND 30 HOUSE BILL 1152 3
(II) PROVIDE A WRITTEN COP Y OR SUMMARY OF THE 1
PROPERTY’S PET POLICY IN ANY RENTAL APPLICATION F ORM FOR A UNIT IN TH E 2
PROPERTY. 3
(2) (3) A PET POLICY PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HIS 4
SECTION SHALL STATE : 5
(I) ANY BREED AND WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS; 6
(II) ANY REQUIRED FEES , INCLUDING: 7
1. UP–FRONT, NONREFUNDABLE PET FE ES; 8
2. REFUNDABLE PET DEPOSI TS; AND 9
3. MONTHLY PET FEES ; 10
(III) ANY LIMIT ON THE NUMB ER OF PETS ALLOWED I N A UNIT; 11
(IV) ANY VACCINATION REQUI REMENTS; 12
(V) ANY LIABILITY INSURAN CE REQUIREMENTS ; AND 13
(VI) ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIR EMENTS FOR PET OWNER S 14
IMPOSED BY THE LANDL ORD. 15
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 16
October 1, 2025. 17
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.