Housing

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 36: Land Use - Zoning - Limitations (Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026)

SB 36 (Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026) prohibits local governments in Maryland from enforcing zoning restrictions on lot size, setbacks, design rules, or subdivision rules for specific housing types. It directly affects counties and cities by overriding their local zoning laws to allow "starter homes" (for first-time buyers) and "silver homes" (for seniors) as single-family homes or attached townhouses on individual lots. The bill requires local jurisdictions to permit these housing types in zones where they are currently restricted, removing barriers to building smaller or more affordable single-family properties. This changes local zoning authority by mandating that communities cannot ban these specific housing options in certain areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for starter/silver homes, directly increasing affordable housing options for first-time buyers and seniors through housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 85: Corporations and Associations - Cooperative Limited Equity Housing Corporations - Establishment

HB 85 creates a legal framework for Maryland nonstock corporations (like rental property owners) to convert into cooperative limited equity housing corporations. It establishes requirements for conversion, including a 60-day vote by members, and mandates that these cooperatives provide moving expense reimbursements and advance notice to low-income households (earning ≤80% of area median income) if they sell their units. The bill also sets rules for membership composition, restricts how cooperative interests can be sold or appreciated, and prohibits local governments from blocking such conversions. The Maryland Department of Housing will oversee implementation, including setting standards and providing grants to support new cooperative housing projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates legal framework for limited-equity co-ops with tenant protections for low-income households (≤80% AMI), mandating moving reimbursements and notice upon unit sale, advancing affordable housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 153: Residential Rental Apartments - Air-Conditioning Requirement

HB 153 requires landlords to provide air-conditioning in most residential rental units in Maryland under specific conditions. It applies to buildings with four or more dwelling units (excluding historic properties, pre-1950 developments, and certain Baltimore public housing), mandating landlords maintain temperatures at or below 80°F in living areas from June 1 to September 30 each year. New construction must comply starting June 1, 2026, while units with major electrical or heating system upgrades must comply starting October 1, 2026. The law does not apply retroactively to buildings with permits issued before the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates AC in rentals for tenant comfort, directly strengthening tenant protections under housing policy requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

Track

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 267: Land Use - Residential Housing - Oversight and Approval (Building Affordably in My Back Yard Act)

SB 267, the "Building Affordably in My Back Yard Act," aims to increase residential housing development by changing oversight, regulation, and tax policies. It requires property owners to certify contact information to the housing department, empowers local governments to streamline approvals for housing projects, and sets housing production targets. The bill allows counties to reduce certain taxes or fees for affordable housing projects while increasing them for non-affordable developments, and permits local tax adjustments for different property types. These changes directly affect property owners, local governments, and housing developers across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allows tax/fee reductions for affordable housing projects, providing targeted tax relief aligned with supporting lower-income housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases affordable housing via tax incentives for affordable projects, streamlines approvals, and sets housing production targets to advance development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes Zoning

Track

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 31: School Construction and Housing - School Zones and Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances

SB 31 requires Maryland county boards of education to annually submit detailed school zone and student capacity reports to state agencies starting in 2026. These reports must include school boundary maps, student residence locations, and school capacity metrics. The bill also restricts counties from delaying housing subdivision approvals based on school capacity but allows delays for final permits only. This directly affects county planning departments, school districts, and housing developers by standardizing school data reporting and clarifying housing development timelines. The law aims to balance school planning needs with housing development efficiency.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts counties from delaying housing subdivisions based on school capacity, facilitating housing development and reducing bureaucratic barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 573: Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination - Regulations, Intent, and Discriminatory Effect

HB 573 updates Maryland's fair housing laws to prohibit discriminatory housing practices based on *effect* - not just *intent*. It explicitly states that actions creating segregated housing patterns or disproportionately harming protected groups (based on race, disability, sexual orientation, etc.) are illegal, regardless of whether the actor intended harm. The bill requires the Department of Housing to adopt regulations ensuring local governments and housing authorities actively "affirmatively further fair housing" through assessments in comprehensive planning. This directly affects housing providers, landlords, local governments, and housing authorities by expanding prohibited conduct and mandating proactive fair housing measures.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on effect (not just intent), strengthening tenant protections and preventing segregated housing patterns per Maryland's fair housing laws.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits housing discrimination based on race and protected classes, protecting immigrants from housing bias.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights Zoning

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 548: Land Use - Permitting - Development Rights (Maryland Housing Certainty Act)

HB 548, the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, requires local governments to approve housing development projects based solely on land-use laws and regulations in effect when a developer submits a "substantially complete" application. It grants developers "vested rights" to build under those original rules for a set period, protecting projects from future regulatory changes. The bill also prohibits localities from collecting development excise taxes or impact fees until a project is fully completed. This directly affects housing developers and local planning authorities across Maryland, streamlining approvals for new housing while limiting fee collection during construction.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits local development fees/taxes until project completion, restricting local tax revenue collection during construction.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines housing development via vested rights, reducing regulatory barriers to increase housing supply85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Property Development

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 27, 2026

HB 511: Catalytic Revitalization Project Tax Credit - Alterations

HB 511 increases Maryland's catalytic revitalization tax credit rate from 20% to 25% of eligible rehabilitation costs for qualifying projects and raises the annual credit cap from $15 million to $35 million, with annual inflation adjustments based on the Washington metropolitan area's consumer price index. It defines eligible projects as the rehabilitation of historic properties formerly owned by government or large, substantially vacant commercial properties (minimum 250,000 square feet and $50 million investment) in designated economic development areas like Main Street Maryland communities. The credit applies to individuals, nonprofits, and businesses for four consecutive years (for single-phase projects) or in full upon completion (for phased projects). This directly affects property owners and developers seeking to revitalize underutilized commercial or historic properties in targeted communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit rate (20%→25%) and cap ($15M→$35M) for property rehabilitation, providing targeted tax relief to incentivize development and economic revitalization.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tax credit rate and cap for rehabilitating historic/vacant commercial properties, incentivizing housing development and affordable housing stock expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Property Development

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 5: Community Development - Maryland New Markets Development Program - Establishment

HB 5 establishes Maryland's New Markets Development Program, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development. It allows businesses to claim tax credits against certain state insurance taxes (like premium receipts tax) for equity investments in qualifying community development entities that serve low-income areas. The credit equals 0% of the investment amount for the first three years and 12.5% for the next four years, applicable to investments made on or after July 1, 2026. This directly affects investors in qualifying community development entities and businesses meeting the "qualified active low-income community business" criteria, including those relocating operations to Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits for businesses investing in low-income community development, providing tax relief to stimulate economic activity in underserved areas.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax credits to incentivize investments in low-income areas via community development entities, directly advancing affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Community Development Property Development

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 168: Housing and Community Development - Affordable Housing - Educator Workforce Housing and Municipal Corporations

HB 168 allows Maryland school districts to use state housing funds for developing housing specifically for teachers and school staff (called "educator workforce housing"). It explicitly states that such housing qualifies as an eligible use of state financial assistance under housing programs and ensures teachers are recognized as a "specified group" for federal low-income housing tax credits. The bill modifies existing laws to clarify that school districts can repurpose unused school properties for this housing and that state housing agencies must inform applicants about this eligibility. This directly affects school districts seeking to address housing needs for educators and teachers applying for federal housing tax credits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables school districts to use state housing funds for teacher housing, directly supporting educator workforce stability and access to housing as a specified group for tax credits.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly permits using state housing funds for educator housing, qualifies it as eligible for state/federal programs, and designates teachers as a specified group for housing tax credits, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill designates teachers as a 'specified group' for housing benefits, directly supporting educator workforce housing as an employment standard under state/federal programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning