Regulation of Fees - Regulations
COMCOR 29-61
Chapter 29. Landlord-Tenant Relations - Regulations
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 29.61.01.01 (2026)
29.61.01.01 Applicable FeesLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Regulated Fees. Except as provided in subsection (b) and as otherwise permitted by law, including regulations, landlords are limited to charging the following fees on regulated rental units:
(1)
Application fee. In accordance with Section 8-213 of the Real Property Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, a landlord of a regulated rental unit must not retain a fee or charge a fee of more than the landlord’s actual cost for a credit check and other expenses arising out of the application for rental of the regulated rental unit.
(2)
Late fee. Late fees must comply with Section 29-27 of the Code.
(3)
Pet fee.
(A)
A landlord of a regulated rental unit must not assess or collect from the tenant of the unit any fee, charge, or deposit in connection with the tenant having a pet present in the unit, except that the landlord may require the tenant of the unit to pay a $25 monthly pet fee per pet and maintain with the landlord during each rental term a pet deposit not exceeding $300. The pet deposit must be held in escrow by the owner. The Department must increase the maximum allowed monthly pet fee and the maximum allowed pet deposit annually by the CPI-U.
(B)
The pet deposit must be returned in full within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy unless costs are incurred by the landlord as a result of damages in the regulated rental unit relating to the presence of the pet(s). The tenant may choose to use any balance toward a deposit for an ensuing lease term.
(C)
If any portion of the pet deposit is withheld, the landlord must present by first-class mail directed to the last known address of the tenant, within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, a written list of the damages claimed under this section with an itemized statement and proof of the cost incurred.
(4)
Lost key fee. A landlord of a regulated rental unit must not assess or collect from the tenant of the unit any fee or charge for the replacement of a mechanical or electronic key exceeding the actual duplication or replacement cost plus $25.
(5)
Lock out fee. A landlord of a regulated rental unit must not assess or collect from the tenant of the unit any lockout fee or charge exceeding $25. The Department must increase the maximum allowed fee annually by the CPI-U. In the event the landlord engages a third-party service provider for the lockout service, the landlord may charge the tenant a fee not exceeding the actual charge incurred for the service. The landlord must provide a tenant with verifiable documented evidence detailing the actual costs associated with the service.
(6)
Secure storage unit accessible only by tenant. A landlord of a regulated rental unit must not assess or collect from the tenant of the unit any fee or charge for storage located within or attached to or associated with the unit.
(7)
Internet or cable television.
(A)
A landlord must not require a tenant of a regulated rental unit to pay an internet or cable television fee. If a tenant voluntarily opts for either service, the landlord must bill the tenant no more than the amount that the internet or cable television provider charges the landlord, without any additional fees. If multiple tenants opt into the service, the landlord must divide the cost to the landlord of the internet or cable television equally by the number of units opting into the service. The fee cannot include any common area services.
(B)
A landlord must provide a tenant of a regulated rental unit documentation of the total cost paid by the landlord for internet or cable television service and the calculation of the fee charged to the tenant.
(8)
Motor vehicle or motorcycle parking fee.
(A)
A landlord must not impose a parking fee on a tenant of a regulated rental unit unless the tenant has expressly opted to use the parking facilities.
(B)
A landlord of a regulated rental unit must not increase the fee for parking spaces for motor vehicles or motorcycles, as defined in Section 31-1 of the Code, more than once in a 12-month period.
(C)
Upon a lease renewal or new lease agreement for a parking space, a landlord must not increase the fee for the parking space to an amount greater than the current fee for the parking space plus CPI-U.
(D)
A landlord of a regulated rental unit who has not previously charged a fee for motor vehicle or motorcycle parking spaces must not charge a fee for such parking unless the landlord provides documentation to the Director demonstrating that the base rent is insufficient to allow the landlord to recover all costs related to the provision of parking. If the Director determines that the base rent is insufficient for the landlord to recover the foregoing costs, the Director must notify the landlord that tenants using the parking facilities may be charged an amount that will allow the landlord to recover its operating costs related to parking. The amount of the fee must not exceed 10% of the lowest base rent for a regulated rental unit at the property. After the parking fee has been established, any fee increase must be determined under (B) and (C).
(E)
This Section does not require a landlord to charge rent or fees for motor vehicle or motorcycle parking.
(9)
Bicycle parking fee. A landlord of a regulated rental unit may charge a tenant of the unit a bicycle parking fee under Section 29-35A of the Code.
(b)
Exceptions.
(1)
A landlord may charge fees for unregulated optional services, not listed in subsection (a), and opted into by the tenant.
(2)
For purposes of this Section an optional service does not include a service required to ensure unit access, maintenance, or lease compliance.
(c)
Implementation.
(1)
Fees may not be implemented during the lease term unless they relate to an optional service opted into by the tenant.
(2)
Regulated fees in subsection (a) and fees that fall under the exception in subsection (b) may only be increased once in a 12-month period and require a 90-day written notice.
(3)
Landlords must comply with this Section within ninety days after the effective date of these regulations.