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.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*hb1152*
HOUSE BILL 1152
N1 (5lr3387)
ENROLLED BILL
— Environment and Transportation/Judicial Proceedings —
Introduced by Delegate Stein Delegates Stein, Allen, Behler, Guyton, Healey, Ruth,
and Terrasa
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, fo r his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
Speaker.
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 the landlord of a a residential rental property 4
to provide the property’s pet policy on the property’s website, in digital 5
advertisements, in certain search engines, and as part of an application for a rental 6
unit on the property; and generally relating to pet policies in residential rental 7
property. 8
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
Article – Real Property 10
Section 8–210 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 13 2 HOUSE BILL 1152
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 1
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 2
Article – Real Property 3
8–210. 4
(a) (1) The landlord of any residential rental property shall include in a 5
written lease or post a sign in a conspicuous place on that property listing the name, 6
address, and telephone number of: 7
(i) The landlord; or 8
(ii) The person, if any, authorized to accept notice or service of 9
process on behalf of the landlord. 10
(2) If a landlord fails to comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection, notice 11
or service of process shall be deemed to be proper if the tenant sends notice or service of 12
process by any of the following means: 13
(i) To the person to whom the rent is paid; 14
(ii) To the address where the rent is paid; or 15
(iii) To the address where the tax bill is sent. 16
(b) (1) This subsection applies only in Montgomery County. 17
(2) In this subsection, “development” has the meaning provided in § 18
11B–101 of this article. 19
(3) (i) Before execution by a tenant of a lease for an initial term of 125 20
days or more, the owner of any residential rental property within any condominium or 21
development shall provide to the prospective tenant, to the extent applicable, a copy of the 22
rules, declaration, and recorded covenants and restrictions that limit or affect the use and 23
occupancy of the property or common areas and to which the owner is obligated. 24
(ii) The written lease shall include a statement, if applicable, that 25
the obligations of the owner that limit or affect the use and occupancy of the property are 26
enforceable against the owner’s tenant. 27
(C) (1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLI ES ONLY TO A LANDLOR D WHO OWNS OR 28
OPERATES FIVE OR MOR E INDIVIDUAL DWELLIN G UNITS IN THE STATE. 29
HOUSE BILL 1152 3
(2) THE A THE LANDLORD OF ANY RESIDENTIAL R ENTAL PROPERTY 1
OF ANY RESIDENTIAL R ENTAL PROPERTY SHALL: 2
(I) PROVIDE A LINK TO THE PROPERTY’S PET POLICY: 3
1. ON IF APPLICABLE, ON THE PROPERTY ’S WEBSITE, IF 4
APPLICABLE; 5
2. IN ANY DIGITAL ADVERT ISEMENT BY THE LANDLORD 6
FOR THE PROPERTY ; AND 7
3. IN ANY INFORMATION PR OVIDED FOR A RESIDEN TIAL 8
RENTAL SEARCH ENGINE BY THE LANDLORD ; AND 9
(II) PROVIDE A WRITTEN COP Y OR SUMMARY OF THE 10
PROPERTY’S PET POLICY IN ANY RENTAL APPLICATION FORM FOR A UNIT IN THE 11
PROPERTY. 12
(2) (3) (2) A PET POLICY PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HIS 13
SECTION SHALL STATE : 14
(I) ANY BREED AND WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS; 15
(II) ANY REQUIRED FEES , INCLUDING: 16
1. UP–FRONT, NONREFUNDABLE PET FE ES; 17
2. REFUNDABLE PET DEPOSI TS; AND 18
3. MONTHLY PET FEES ; 19
(III) ANY LIMIT ON THE NUMB ER OF PETS ALLOWED I N A UNIT; 20
(IV) ANY VACCINATION REQUI REMENTS; 21
(V) ANY LIABILITY INSURAN CE REQUIREMENTS ; AND 22
(VI) ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIR EMENTS FOR PET OWNERS 23
IMPOSED BY THE LANDL ORD. 24
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 25
October 1, 2025. 26