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*sb0896*
SENATE BILL 896
N1 (5lr3382)
ENROLLED BILL
— Judicial Proceedings/Environment and Transportation —
Introduced by Senator Love
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at ________________ ________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
President.
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 landlord of a residential rental property to provide the 4
property’s pet policy on the property’s website, in digital advertisements, in certain 5
search engines, and as part of an application for a rental unit on the property; and 6
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
2 SENATE BILL 896
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) THE LANDLORD OF ANY R ESIDENTIAL RENTAL PR OPERTY SHALL : 28
(I) PROVIDE A LINK TO THE PROPERTY’S PET POLICY: 29
1. ON ON THE PROPERTY ’S WEBSITE, IF APPLICABLE; 30 SENATE BILL 896 3
2. IN ANY DIGITAL ADVERT ISEMENT FOR THE 1
PROPERTY; AND 2
3. IN ANY INFORMATION PR OVIDED FOR A RESIDEN TIAL 3
RENTAL SEARCH ENGINE ; AND 4
(II) PROVIDE A WRITTEN COP Y OR SUMMARY OF THE 5
PROPERTY’S PET POLICY IN ANY RENTAL APPLICATION FORM FOR A UNIT IN THE 6
PROPERTY. 7
(2) A PET POLICY PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HIS SECTION 8
SHALL STATE: 9
(I) ANY BREED AND WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS; 10
(II) ANY REQUIRED FEES , INCLUDING: 11
1. UP–FRONT, NONREFUNDABLE PE T FEES; 12
2. REFUNDABLE PET DEPOSI TS; AND 13
3. MONTHLY PET FEES ; 14
(III) ANY LIMIT ON THE NUMB ER OF PETS ALLOWED I N A UNIT; 15
(IV) ANY VACCINATION REQUI REMENTS; 16
(V) ANY LIABILITY INSURAN CE REQUIREMENTS ; AND 17
(VI) ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PET OWNERS 18
IMPOSED BY THE LANDL ORD. 19
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 20
October 1, 2025. 21