Metro file
Covers licensed units built in or before 2003 (Silver Spring, Bethesda, Wheaton, Gaithersburg's county areas). Unused allowance can be banked up to a 10% total. Takoma Park runs its own older ordinance and is routed separately; Rockville and Gaithersburg city limits sit outside the county program.
Montgomery County’s stabilization covers licensed units built in or before 2003 — most of the county’s older apartment stock in Silver Spring, Bethesda, Wheaton and beyond. For the allowance year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 the county’s published maximum is 5.2% (CPI-U 2.2% + 3%). Landlords may bank unused allowance up to a 10% total, increases and covered fees require a written 90-day notice that must itself tell you DHCA can review the increase, and DHCA’s Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs is the review door.
Three traps: Takoma Park runs its own, older ordinance and is not in the county program; Rockville and Gaithersburg city limits sit outside it; and Prince George’s County runs a sibling program (the lesser of 6% or CPI-U + 3%) — the county line decides which rulebook you hold.
Rules checked October 2026