State guide
Maryland
Maryland has the most developed state rental lead system of these three states: the Maryland Department of the Environment runs the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, property registration, and the LRCA certification system. Official MDE pages say owners of pre-1978 rental homes must register properties, provide valid lead inspection certificates at tenant turnover, and give tenants the Notice of Tenant’s Rights and the federal pamphlet.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State lead program
- Maryland’s lead program is run by the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
- Rental lead-safe requirements
- Maryland requires registration of pre-1978 rental properties and a passing lead paint inspection certificate before move-in and at tenant turnover, unless the property is certified lead-free.
- Certified lead inspector and risk assessor lookup
- Official page →
- Renovation (RRP) program
- EPA
- Disclosure
- Beyond the federal disclosure, Maryland requires landlords of pre-1978 rentals to provide the Notice of Tenant’s Rights and a copy of the lead inspection certificate on or before move-in.
Official resources in Maryland
Main official MDE hub for renters, owners, inspectors, complaints, and lead-law guidance.
Official MDE page on pre-1978 rental registration and lead inspection certificate obligations.
Official MDE lead rental certification and accreditation portal with public certificate lookup information.
Official MDE public list of active inspection contractors, including roles for visual inspector, inspector technician, and risk assessor.
Official Baltimore code page showing rental dwelling licenses require compliance with federal, state, and city lead-paint laws.
Key facts for Maryland
- Maryland requires owners of rental homes built before 1978 to register properties with the state.
- MDE says valid lead inspection certificates must be provided at each tenant turnover unless the property is certified lead-free.
- Tenants in pre-1978 rentals are entitled to a current lead inspection certificate for their unit.
- MDE’s public DataViewer lists active inspection contractors and shows columns for visual inspector, inspector technician, and risk assessor.
- Maryland accredits lead paint contractors, supervisors, inspectors, risk assessors, and training providers.
- Baltimore City rental dwelling licenses require compliance with federal, state, and city laws governing lead paint.
Local rental lead ordinances in Maryland
| City | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Baltimore City | Baltimore | Not published* | Handles lead accreditation, inspectors, and LRCA questions. |
| Lead Rental Registry office Baltimore City | Baltimore | 410-537-4199 | Handles rental registration questions for pre-1978 rental properties. |
| LRCA Public Certification Lookup Baltimore City | Baltimore | 410-537-3825 | Public lookup for lead certificates on individual properties. |
| MDE DataViewer Lead Paint Inspection Contractors Baltimore City | Baltimore | (410) 537-3000 | Public list of active Maryland lead inspection contractors. |
| City of Baltimore rental licensing lead compliance page Baltimore City | Baltimore | Not published* | Official city code page stating rental dwelling licenses require lead-law compliance. |
| Baltimore City lead hazard abatement regulations Baltimore City | Baltimore | Not published* | Official city regulations for lead hazard abatement, including rental relocation obligations during abatement. |
| City of Annapolis Rental Operations and Property Maintenance Anne Arundel County | Annapolis | 410-260-2200 | City rental page explaining MDE lead-law compliance for pre-1978 homes. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Check both the rental registry/property search and the public certificate lookup before signing a lease in a pre-1978 Maryland rental.
- Ask for three move-in documents: the lead inspection certificate, Notice of Tenant’s Rights, and the federal lead pamphlet.
- Hire only providers appearing in MDE’s public inspection-contractor list or other MDE accreditation tools.
Not seeing your city or county?
Not every city publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Maryland's population center, for comparison only):
- DOEE Lead in the District - Tenants & Property Owners, District of Columbia · about 19 miles
- DOEE Lead-Based Paint Accreditation, Certification and Permitting, District of Columbia · about 19 miles
- DOEE Compliance and Enforcement, District of Columbia · about 19 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Lead Registration for Landlords
Website →Phone: (410) 537-4199 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Maryland Manual: county governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Maryland page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.