How to Get a Rental License for Your Home in College Park, MD: A Complete 2026 Guide

Written By Ryan Hehman

If you own a home in College Park, Maryland and you're thinking about renting it out — whether you're relocating, buying a new primary residence, or converting a property to an investment — getting properly licensed is not optional. It's the law, and skipping steps can cost you the ability to collect rent or take a tenant to court.

The good news: the process is straightforward once you know exactly what's required. The tricky part is that College Park has its own licensing rules that are separate from Prince George's County — and most guides online miss that distinction entirely. This post walks you through every step, in order, so you don't waste time applying in the wrong place.

Why Getting Licensed Matters More Than You Think

Here's something a lot of new landlords in Maryland don't know: if you don't have a valid rental license, you cannot take a tenant to District Court for failure to pay rent. That's not a technicality — that's an enforceable legal consequence. Maryland courts have upheld this repeatedly.

If you're converting your home in College Park, Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, Berwyn Heights, or anywhere in Prince George's County to a rental, doing this right from the start protects you legally, keeps you insurable, and ensures you can actually enforce your lease.

Step 1: Understand That College Park Is Its Own Licensing Authority

This is the single most important thing to know before you do anything else.

Prince George's County handles rental licensing for most of the county through its Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE). College Park is not one of them. The City of College Park is an incorporated municipality that issues its own rental permits — completely separate from the county process.

How do you confirm which jurisdiction applies to your specific address? Look up your property in the Maryland SDAT Real Property Search. If the "Town" column shows "College Park," you apply with the City — not the County.

Note: This same rule applies to other nearby incorporated municipalities including Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, Cheverly, Greenbelt, Berwyn Heights, Mount Rainier, and University Park — each of which has its own process.

Step 2: Determine Whether Your Home Is Subject to Maryland's Lead Paint Law

Before you apply for any local permit, you need to know whether your property falls under Maryland's Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing Act. The rule is simple: if your home was built before 1978, this law applies to you. If it was built in 1978 or later, you can skip Steps 3 and 4.

This is not something you can opt out of. Maryland's lead law applies to all pre-1978 rental properties regardless of renovation history — meaning even if you've fully renovated the home, you still need to comply. Non-compliance can result in civil penalties up to $25,000, with each day of violation counted separately.

Step 3: Get Your MDE Landlord Tracking Number (Pre-1978 Homes Only)

Your Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) tracking number is a 7-digit identifier tied to you as a property owner — not to any individual property. You need this number before you can register in the lead rental registry, and it's required on your lead paint inspection certificate.

To get a tracking number:

Getting a tracking number is free. If you own multiple rental properties, the same tracking number covers all of them — you don't need a new one per property.

Step 4: Schedule a Lead Paint Inspection (Pre-1978 Homes Only)

Once you have your tracking number, you need to hire an MDE-accredited lead paint inspector to evaluate the property before a new tenant moves in. This inspection is required at each change of occupancy for homes without a current Lead-Free or Limited Lead-Free certificate.

The inspector will issue one of three certificates:

Lead-Free Certificate — The property has no lead-based paint anywhere. Once certified lead-free, ongoing registration is not required as long as the certificate stays current.

Limited Lead-Free Certificate — No lead paint on the interior, but lead may be present on the exterior. This certificate has an expiration date and requires re-inspection of the exterior every two years.

Full Risk Reduction Certificate — The property is not lead-free, but there is no chipping, peeling, or flaking paint (the primary hazard). This is the most common certification for older rentals. With this certificate, you must register annually and get a new certificate at each change of occupancy.

Practical tip: Before the inspection, clean all surfaces thoroughly — especially bare floors, window sills, and window wells. Lead dust sticks to surfaces and these areas are the most common cause of a failed dust wipe test. Use a HEPA vacuum followed by a damp mop with mild detergent. Do not use bleach.

Step 5: Register in the Maryland Lead Rental Registry

With your tracking number and inspection certificate in hand, register your property online through the MDE Lead Rental Registry Online System.

Key details:

  • Registration fee: $75 per unit

  • Must be completed before the tenant moves in

  • Must be renewed bi-annually — renewal deadline is December 31st

  • New ownership (including adding a co-owner or transferring to an LLC) requires a brand new registration with a new tracking number

If you prefer a paper form, call MDE at 410-537-4199 and request one — though MDE strongly encourages online registration.

Step 6: Apply for a City of College Park Residential Occupancy Permit

This is your local rental license — and in College Park, it's called a Residential Occupancy Permit. Every property in the City rented to anyone outside the owner's immediate family is required to have one, regardless of how old the home is.

How to apply: Visit the City of College Park's permitting portal at collegeparkmd.gov/permitapps (the Accela Citizen Portal). All rental applications and renewals are processed here online.

For questions or assistance, contact the Department of Public Services at:

The City's general rental information page:collegeparkmd.gov/208

What you'll need to submit:

  • Completed online application

  • Payment of the permit fee (check the current fee schedule on the City's portal — note that as of May 2025, a refuse/trash collection fee is also being added for rental properties)

  • Lead paint compliance documentation if the home is pre-1978

  • Attestation that you will deliver the required tenant disclosures at lease signing

Step 7: Pass the City of College Park Property Inspection

After your application is reviewed, the City will schedule an annual inspection of the property to verify it meets life safety codes. This includes things like working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, proper egress, no significant structural or habitability issues, and compliance with the City's housing code.

If the property passes, your Residential Occupancy Permit is issued. If deficiencies are found, you'll receive written notice of what needs to be corrected before the permit can be issued.

This annual inspection cycle is separate from any lead paint inspection. Both need to stay current.

Step 8: Deliver Required Disclosures at Lease Signing

Before your tenant moves in, Maryland law and College Park's local code both require you to provide certain disclosures:

State-required disclosures (pre-1978 homes):

  • MDE's Notice of Tenants' Rights

  • The EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home"

  • A copy of the lead inspection certificate

  • These must be redistributed to existing tenants every two years as well

City of College Park required disclosure:

  • A fair summary of tenant rights provisions in the form prescribed by the Department of Public Services, delivered before occupancy

  • The property owner must attest — under oath — on the occupancy permit that this was delivered

Maryland's Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs also publishes a Tenants' Bill of Rights that must be attached to every residential lease statewide. You can find the current version through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Quick Reference: Links and Contacts

Check if you have an MDE tracking number: MDE Lead Registry Property Search

Get tracking number / register in lead registry: MDE Lead Rental Registry Online System

MDE phone (lead questions): 410-537-4199 or 1-800-776-2706

MDE email: mde.leadreg@maryland.gov

Apply for College Park Occupancy Permit : collegeparkmd.gov/permitapps

College Park rental information: collegeparkmd.gov/208

College Park Dept. of Public Services: publicservices@collegeparkmd.gov / 240-487-3570

Verify your property's jurisdiction: SDAT Real Property Search

Frequently Asked Questions: Renting Out Your Home in College Park, MD

Do I need a rental license to rent my house in College Park, Maryland?

Yes. Every property in College Park that is rented to anyone outside the owner's immediate family requires a Residential Occupancy Permit from the City of College Park. This is separate from any county-level licensing, because College Park is an incorporated municipality with its own rental licensing authority. Operating without a valid permit can result in fines and, critically, loss of the ability to pursue a non-paying tenant in District Court.

Does College Park use Prince George's County for rental licenses?

No. College Park is one of the municipalities in Prince George's County that handles its own rental licensing. DPIE (the County's Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement) explicitly carves College Park out of its jurisdiction. You apply through the City of College Park's Accela Citizen Portal, not through DPIE.

What if my rental property in College Park was built before 1978?

If your home was built before 1978, you must comply with Maryland's lead paint law before renting it out. This means getting an MDE landlord tracking number, having the property inspected by an MDE-accredited lead inspector, registering in the Maryland Lead Rental Registry ($30/unit), and providing lead-related disclosures to your tenant at lease signing. This applies regardless of any renovations you've made to the home.

How much does it cost to get a rental license in College Park, MD?

There are several fees involved. The Maryland Lead Rental Registry registration costs $30 per unit annually (for pre-1978 homes). The City of College Park Residential Occupancy Permit fee is set by the City — check the current fee schedule on the Accela portal or by calling the Department of Public Services at 240-487-3570. As of May 2025, the City is also adding a separate refuse/trash collection fee for rental properties.

How long does it take to get a rental license in College Park?

Plan for several weeks from start to finish, especially if a lead paint inspection is involved (lead dust results typically take about 5 business days to come back from the lab). Once you submit your occupancy permit application in College Park, the City will schedule an inspection. Give yourself 4–6 weeks minimum before you plan to have a tenant in place.

Do I need a new rental license every year in College Park?

Yes. The City of College Park Residential Occupancy Permit requires annual renewal, tied to the annual inspection cycle. The Maryland Lead Rental Registry also requires renewal by December 31st each year. Both must stay current for you to legally operate as a landlord.

What happens if I rent my house without a license in Maryland?

Without a valid rental license, you cannot file a failure-to-pay-rent action in Maryland District Court. This means you have no legal mechanism to remove a non-paying tenant through rent court — one of the most significant enforcement tools available to landlords. You may also face fines and penalties from the City. The legal risk alone makes getting licensed before any tenant moves in essential.

My home was built after 1978 — do I still need to register with MDE?

No. Maryland's lead paint law only applies to properties built before 1978. If your home was built in 1978 or later, you can skip the MDE lead registry process entirely and go straight to applying for the City of College Park Residential Occupancy Permit.

What nearby cities also require their own rental licenses separate from Prince George's County?

If your rental property is in Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, Cheverly, Greenbelt, Berwyn Heights, Mount Rainier, University Park, Bowie, or Capitol Heights — among others — you also need to apply with your municipality rather than the County. Each of these towns has its own process. Always verify your jurisdiction using the SDAT Real Property Search and checking the "Town" column for your address.

Thinking About Renting Out Your Home? Let's Talk First

Renting out your home — especially if it's in the College Park, Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, or broader Prince George's County area — involves a lot more than just finding a tenant. Licensing, lead compliance, lease structure, pricing your rental correctly for the local market, and protecting yourself legally are all part of getting this right.

I'm Ryan Hehman, a Realtor® with Compass. I work with homeowners throughout DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia — including a lot of clients navigating exactly this situation: they're moving, buying something new, and trying to figure out whether to sell or hold their current home as a rental.

If you want to talk through what your home might rent for in today's market, whether it makes more financial sense to sell or rent, or just need help understanding the process, I'm happy to have that conversation with no pressure and no obligation.

📞 Call or text Ryan: 443-990-1230

📧 Email: Ryan.Hehman@compass.com

🌐 Website:ryanhehmanrealestate.com

Ryan Hehman is a licensed Realtor® with Compass, serving the Washington DC metro area including Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia.

Ryan Hehman
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