# Baltimore City vs Baltimore County Eviction: The 2026 Jurisdictional Comparison for Landlords The eviction statute is the same in both jurisdictions, but the rental license rules, courthouse logistics, docket cadence, sheriff scheduling, and local enforcement intensity diverge in ways that change timelines and dismissal risk. This is the 2026 side-by-side for landlords filing in Baltimore City vs Baltimore County. - Published: 2026-05-31 (updated 2026-05-31) - Author: Jordan Walsh - Canonical: https://www.evictpro.us/blog/baltimore-city-vs-baltimore-county-eviction --- The eviction statute is the same in both jurisdictions. The process at a high level looks identical: 10-day Notice of Intent, DC-CV-082 filing, rent court hearing, judgment, 7-business-day post-trial wait, DC-CV-081 warrant of restitution, sheriff execution. What differs is the rental license rules, the courthouse logistics, the docket cadence, the sheriff scheduling speed, the local enforcement intensity, and the timeline a typical case actually takes. This is the 2026 jurisdictional comparison for landlords deciding where their case will play out faster, more predictably, or with less compliance risk. - **Same statute**: Md. Code § 8-401 (applies in both) - **2 weeks faster**: Baltimore City docket (vs Baltimore County) - **More intense**: BC compliance enforcement (Article 13 + SRSA + PLL) > Baltimore City is faster but unforgiving. Baltimore County is slower but more straightforward. The right answer for any given case depends on the property location, the entity structure, and whether speed or simplicity matters more. **The short version:** Same FTPR statute, same forms, different operating environments. Baltimore City runs a faster dedicated rent court (2-week hearing wait, 1-2 week sheriff scheduling) but enforces a denser local rule set (Article 13 rental license, Strengthening Renters' Safety Act, stricter PLL NRR threshold). Baltimore County runs a slower general civil docket (3-4 week hearing wait, 2-3 week sheriff scheduling) but with fewer local-rule traps. Both require a current rental license at filing. Both require lead paint certification for pre-1978 properties. Both apply the statewide Tenants' Bill of Rights as of October 1, 2025. The underlying eviction process is governed by [Md. Code, Real Property § 8-401](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-401&enactments=false) in both jurisdictions. Baltimore City's local layer sits in Article 13 of the Baltimore City Code plus the Strengthening Renters' Safety Act effective January 1, 2026. Baltimore County's layer sits primarily in Baltimore County Code § 35-5-201 administered by the County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI). Lead paint compliance is statewide under MDE rules at [mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/leadpoisoningprevention/pages/rentalowners.aspx](https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/leadpoisoningprevention/pages/rentalowners.aspx). For the broader process inside the FTPR pipeline, see [The Maryland FTPR Process, Step by Step](/blog/ftpr-maryland-process-step-by-step). ## Side-by-Side Comparison | Dimension | Baltimore City | Baltimore County | | --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | | Governing statute | Md. Code § 8-401 (same) | Md. Code § 8-401 (same) | | Rental license required | Yes, Article 13 (since Jan 1, 2019) | Yes, § 35-5-201 | | License term | 2 years (flat, post-SRSA Jan 2026) | 2 years | | License number on DC-CV-082 | Required | Required | | Lead paint cert (pre-1978) | Required (MDE statewide) | Required (MDE statewide) | | Local enhanced enforcement | SRSA (Jan 2026), $1,000/day penalties | None equivalent | | Courthouse | 500 N. Calvert St (post-Oct 14, 2025) | Towson / Catonsville / Essex / Dundalk | | Docket cadence | 2 weeks typical | 3-4 weeks typical | | Sheriff scheduling | 1-2 weeks | 2-3 weeks | | Filing fee (DC-CV-082) | $60 (DCA-109 Rev. 03/2026) | $50 statewide rate | | NRR threshold | 4 prior judgments (PLL local rule) | 3 prior judgments (statewide default) | | ACE program | Longest-running, full statutory implementation Oct 1, 2025 | Phased rollout under statewide statute | | Typical timeline | 45-60 days | 60-75 days | ## Rental License Requirements (The Biggest Practical Difference) Both jurisdictions require a current rental license at the time of filing, and both treat an expired license as a dismissal cause. But the specifics, the enforcement intensity, and the post-Jan 2026 framework differ enough to matter. ### Baltimore City: Article 13 + Strengthening Renters' Safety Act Under Article 13 of the Baltimore City Code, every non-owner- occupied dwelling unit must hold a current rental license issued by the Department of Housing and Community Development. Since January 1, 2019, an unlicensed landlord loses the legal right to collect rent and cannot file an FTPR. The license number must appear on DC-CV-082; an expired license is an immediate dismissal at the rent court hearing. The Strengthening Renters' Safety Act, effective January 1, 2026, restructured the licensing framework: - Flat 2-year license term (replaces the tiered 1/2/3-year system that depended on inspection-pass history) - Licenses are non-transferable; property sales require re- licensing within 60 days - Priority dwellings (20+ units with violation history) must receive at least two city-directed inspections per year - Penalties up to $1,000 per day for repeated violations For the full Baltimore City compliance walkthrough see [Baltimore Rental License Dismissed Eviction](/blog/baltimore-rental-license-dismissed-eviction). ### Baltimore County: § 35-5-201 (Simpler, Less Layered) Baltimore County Code § 35-5-201 requires all rental properties (1-6 units and 7+ units, with separate registration tracks) to register and license with the County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI). Licenses run on a 2-year cycle. Functionally, Baltimore County treats license currency the same as Baltimore City does: a current license at filing is a prerequisite to FTPR. An expired license is a dismissal cause. The difference is what surrounds the license requirement. Baltimore County does not have a Strengthening Renters' Safety Act equivalent, does not designate priority dwellings, and does not impose the $1,000-per- day penalty framework. Enforcement is administrative rather than inspection-intensive. ## Courthouse Logistics and Docket Cadence ### Baltimore City Rent Court - **Location:** 500 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 (relocated from 501 E. Fayette Street effective **October 14, 2025**) - **Dedicated Rent Court Division** runs five days a week - **Hearing wait:** Typically 2 weeks from filing date - **Docket volume:** High; the division was built around FTPR case throughput For the hearing-day checklist see [What to Bring to Baltimore Rent Court](/blog/what-to-bring-to-baltimore-rent-court). ### Baltimore County District Court - **Locations:** Towson, Catonsville, Essex, and Dundalk District Courts (jurisdiction depends on property location within the county) - **General civil docket** rather than a dedicated rent court - **Hearing wait:** Typically 3-4 weeks from filing date - **Docket volume:** Lower than Baltimore City; FTPR cases share docket time with other civil matters Baltimore County's slower docket reflects its general civil structure rather than capacity issues. Filings move at the speed of the broader docket, not at a rent-court-specific cadence. ## Sheriff Scheduling Both jurisdictions schedule physical eviction execution through their respective sheriff's offices after the warrant of restitution is signed. Speed differs measurably: - **Baltimore City Sheriff:** 1 to 2 weeks from warrant signing to execution - **Baltimore County Sheriff:** 2 to 3 weeks from warrant signing to execution The single largest source of timeline variance in a clean case sits at the sheriff stage. Weather, sheriff workload, and tenant emergencies can each add 1 to 2 weeks per reschedule in either jurisdiction. ## No Right of Redemption Thresholds The statewide rule under [Md. Code § 8-401(h)(3)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-401&enactments=false) is that the right of redemption does not apply to a tenant against whom three judgments of possession have been entered in the 12 months before the current filing. Baltimore County applies this statewide rule directly: NRR can be elected on the fourth filing within a 12-month window. Baltimore City applies a stricter local threshold under its Public Local Laws: four prior judgments are required before NRR can be requested on the fifth filing. The Baltimore City rule is more tenant-friendly than the state default. Verify the specific PLL clause with current Baltimore City Code before relying on it in practice. NRR must be requested on the original DC-CV-082 at filing time in either jurisdiction. It cannot be added after judgment. For the full redemption framework see [Right of Redemption in Maryland](/blog/right-of-redemption-maryland-tenant). ## Filing Fees and Costs | Fee | Baltimore City | Baltimore County | | ------------------------ | ------------------------ | ----------------- | | DC-CV-082 | $60 | $50 | | DC-CV-081 (warrant) | $40-$50 | $40-$50 | | Sheriff fees | $40-$75 | $40-$75 | | Total court-fee exposure | $131-$176 typical | $116-$181 typical | Court fees published at [mdcourts.gov/courts/feeschedules](https://www.mdcourts.gov/courts/feeschedules). The cost difference at the court-fee layer is small. The larger cost differential between jurisdictions sits in time-cost: a 60-75 day Baltimore County case costs measurably more in lost rent than a 45-60 day Baltimore City case at the same monthly rate. For the full cost analysis see [What Does a Baltimore Eviction Actually Cost in 2026?](/blog/baltimore-eviction-cost). ## Tenants' Bill of Rights and ACE Program (Statewide, Applied Locally) The Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights, effective October 1, 2025, applies in both jurisdictions identically. The 5% late fee cap, 90-day rent increase notice, 24-hour entry notice, and lease- attachment requirements all run the same in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. For the broader TBOR walkthrough see [Maryland's Tenants' Bill of Rights: Landlord Compliance Guide](/blog/maryland-tenants-bill-of-rights-landlord). The Access to Counsel in Evictions program, with statutory full implementation target of October 1, 2025, similarly applies in both jurisdictions but with different operational maturity. Baltimore City has been operating ACE longer than Baltimore County, and tenant counsel appearance rates are higher in Baltimore City rent court than in Baltimore County District Court. ## Timeline Comparison A clean uncontested case typically runs: | Stage | Baltimore City | Baltimore County | | ------------------------------ | ------------------ | ------------------ | | 10-day notice period | 10 days | 10 days | | Filing to hearing | 14 days | 21-28 days | | Hearing day | 1 day | 1 day | | 7-business-day post-trial wait | 9-11 calendar days | 9-11 calendar days | | Warrant filing + signing | 2-3 days | 2-3 days | | Sheriff scheduling | 7-14 days | 14-21 days | | **Total** | **~47-62 days** | **~62-77 days** | For the full timeline mechanics including the two 60-day warrant clocks under § 8-401(f)(1)(ii) and (iii), see [How Long Does an Eviction Take in Maryland?](/blog/how-long-does-eviction-take-in-maryland) and [Maryland Warrant of Restitution Timeline](/blog/maryland-warrant-of-restitution-timeline). ## Which Jurisdiction Is "Easier" to File In? There is no universal answer. The right framing depends on what the landlord values: ### Choose Baltimore City if you value: - **Speed.** 2-week hearing wait and 1-2 week sheriff scheduling put a competent case across the finish line in 45-60 days - **Dedicated rent court expertise.** Judges, clerks, and the Rent Court Division operate around FTPR specifics. Less ambiguity at the bench. - **High-volume processing.** Portfolio managers benefit from the consistent cadence. ### Choose Baltimore County if you value (or your property is in): - **Simpler local rule set.** No Strengthening Renters' Safety Act, no priority-dwelling designation, no $1,000-per-day penalty framework - **Lower-pressure enforcement.** Administrative license oversight rather than active inspection regime - **Less aggressive tenant counsel posture.** Lower historical ACE program presence For most landlords, the jurisdiction is determined by where the property is located, not by preference. Both jurisdictions follow the same statewide statute; the local layer adds friction or removes it depending on which side of the city/county line the property sits. ## How EvictPro Handles Both Jurisdictions EvictPro operates statewide across all 24 Maryland jurisdictions, with jurisdiction-specific compliance built into the case file workflow. The platform knows whether a property is in Baltimore City (Article 13 + SRSA + PLL NRR), Baltimore County (§ 35-5-201 - statewide default rules), or any other Maryland jurisdiction, and applies the correct rule set automatically. ### What's tracked per jurisdiction - **Rental license type and renewal cycle** (Article 13 vs § 35-5- 201 vs other county / municipal rules) - **Courthouse address and docket cadence** (including the October 2025 Baltimore City relocation to 500 N. Calvert) - **NRR threshold** (3 statewide default vs 4 Baltimore City local) - **Sheriff office contact and scheduling cadence** per county - **Filing fee amount** per District Court ### Stage-based pricing (court fees inclusive, same prices statewide) - **Notice of Intent:** $0 - **Filing with Court:** $99 (DC-CV-082 prep, filing, and court fee) - **Court Hearing:** $249 - **Warrant of Restitution:** $199 (DC-CV-081 prep, filing, and court fee) - **Sheriff Scheduling:** $75 - **Eviction Day:** $225 Or bundle with **Full Eviction Service: $749**. Pay only for the stages used. Court fees included at every stage, regardless of which jurisdiction the case is filed in. **See stage-by-stage pricing**: https://www.evictpro.us/pricing **Not legal advice**: This article is general educational information about Maryland landlord-tenant law and procedure. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, court fees, and local rules change over time. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed Maryland attorney or a qualified housing counselor. **Related reading:** - [The Maryland FTPR Process, Step by Step](/blog/ftpr-maryland-process-step-by-step) - [What Does a Baltimore Eviction Actually Cost in 2026?](/blog/baltimore-eviction-cost) - [Baltimore Rental License Dismissed Eviction](/blog/baltimore-rental-license-dismissed-eviction) - [What to Bring to Baltimore Rent Court](/blog/what-to-bring-to-baltimore-rent-court) - [How Long Does an Eviction Take in Maryland?](/blog/how-long-does-eviction-take-in-maryland) - [Right of Redemption in Maryland](/blog/right-of-redemption-maryland-tenant) - [Maryland's Tenants' Bill of Rights: Landlord Compliance Guide](/blog/maryland-tenants-bill-of-rights-landlord) Ready to file in either jurisdiction with the right local rule set applied automatically? Start with a Notice of Intent that costs nothing and takes ten minutes: **Generate your Maryland 10-day Notice of Intent now**: https://www.evictpro.us/notice-of-intent ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the eviction process different in Baltimore City vs Baltimore County? The underlying statute (Md. Code, Real Property § 8-401) and the procedural forms (DC-CV-082, DC-CV-081) are identical. What differs: rental license rules, courthouse location, docket cadence, sheriff scheduling speed, the No Right of Redemption threshold, local enforcement intensity, and the timeline a typical case takes from notice to physical eviction. Baltimore City moves faster but enforces compliance more aggressively; Baltimore County moves slower but with fewer local-rule traps. ### Do both Baltimore City and Baltimore County require a rental license to evict? Yes. Baltimore City requires a current rental license under Article 13 of the Baltimore City Code, with the license number on DC-CV-082. Baltimore County requires a current rental license under Baltimore County Code § 35-5-201, managed through the County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI). Both license requirements are conditions of filing a Failure to Pay Rent case. An expired license in either jurisdiction is a dismissal cause at the rent court hearing. ### What is the difference in filing fees between Baltimore City and Baltimore County? Under the current DCA-109 schedule (Rev. 03/2026), the DC-CV-082 filing fee is $60 in Baltimore City and $50 in Baltimore County (and every other county), plus a $5 service fee per tenant of record. The DC-CV-081 warrant of restitution fee is statewide at $40 to $50. Sheriff fees run $40 to $75 in either jurisdiction. The full statewide fee schedule is published at mdcourts.gov. ### Which jurisdiction's rent court moves faster? Baltimore City. The Baltimore City District Court Rent Court Division (now at 500 N. Calvert Street effective October 14, 2025) runs five days a week dedicated to FTPR cases and typically sets hearings 2 weeks out. Baltimore County District Court batches civil dockets, so hearing wait times typically run 3 to 4 weeks. Sheriff scheduling also favors Baltimore City: 1 to 2 weeks vs 2 to 3 weeks in Baltimore County. ### Is the No Right of Redemption threshold the same in both jurisdictions? No. The statewide default under Md. Code, Real Property § 8-401(h)(3) is three prior judgments of possession in the 12 months before the current filing. Baltimore County applies this statewide rule. Baltimore City applies a stricter local threshold under its Public Local Laws: four prior judgments are required before NRR can be requested on the fifth filing. Verify the specific PLL clause with current Baltimore City Code before relying on it in practice. ### Does Baltimore County have a local equivalent of the Strengthening Renters' Safety Act? No. The Strengthening Renters' Safety Act (effective January 1, 2026) is a Baltimore City local enactment that replaced the tiered 1/2/3-year rental license system with a flat 2-year term, made licenses non-transferable, requires re-licensing within 60 days of property sale, designates priority dwellings (20+ units with violation history) for at least two city-directed inspections per year, and increased penalties up to $1,000 per day. Baltimore County has its own 2-year rental license cycle under § 35-5-201 but no equivalent enhanced enforcement framework as of mid-2026. ### Are lead paint rules the same in both jurisdictions? Yes. Maryland's Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing Act is a statewide rule administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Pre-1978 rental properties anywhere in Maryland (including both Baltimore City and Baltimore County) must register with MDE and hold a current Lead Paint Inspection Certificate. The certificate number must appear on DC-CV-082 in either jurisdiction. Renewal is required every 2 years on or before December 31 (effective January 1, 2026). ### Which jurisdiction has more aggressive tenant protections? Baltimore City. The combination of Article 13 license requirements, the Strengthening Renters' Safety Act, the local PLL NRR rule (4 priors instead of 3), the longest-running Access to Counsel in Evictions program, and dense pre-1978 housing stock with active lead paint enforcement creates a more compliance-intensive environment for landlords. Baltimore County applies state law plus its own rental license rule but does not layer on the same volume of local protections. Both jurisdictions apply the statewide Tenants' Bill of Rights effective October 1, 2025.