Baltimore's Rental Dwelling Health And Safety Act Faces Legal Hurdles

Proposed ordinance aims to increase oversight on rental properties, but faces opposition in City Council committee hearing.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A sweeping ordinance designed to tighten oversight on Baltimore's rental market hit significant legal roadblocks during its first City Council committee hearing on Tuesday. The Rental Dwelling Health & Safety Act, sponsored by Councilwoman Odette Ramos, aims to strip the anonymity from shell companies, mandate public audits of licensed properties, and grant the city power to disqualify negligent housing inspectors.

Why it matters

The proposed ordinance is an attempt to address long-standing issues with substandard rental housing conditions in Baltimore, where an estimated 46,000 row homes are unlicensed and below code. However, the legislation is facing opposition from some stakeholders, raising questions about the city's ability to effectively regulate the rental market.

The details

During the hours-long City Council committee hearing, residents described living in 'deplorable' conditions, including rodent infestations and structural leaks. Housing advocates noted that enforcement failures have left a significant portion of Baltimore's rental properties unlicensed and below code. The Rental Dwelling Health & Safety Act seeks to address these problems by increasing transparency and accountability in the rental market.

  • The City Council committee hearing on the Rental Dwelling Health & Safety Act took place on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Odette Ramos

A Baltimore City Council member who sponsored the Rental Dwelling Health & Safety Act.

Baltimore

The city where the proposed Rental Dwelling Health & Safety Act is being considered.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The Rental Dwelling Health & Safety Act highlights the ongoing challenges Baltimore faces in regulating its rental housing market and ensuring safe, habitable living conditions for tenants. The legislation's legal hurdles underscore the complexities involved in enacting meaningful reforms in this area.