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MarylandSB 00122026 Regular SessionSenate

Residential Rental Apartments - Air-Conditioning Requirement

Sponsored By: Chris West (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Housing and Community DevelopmentReal PropertyApartmentsBuilding Maintenance and RepairBuilding PermitsConstructionHeating and CoolingLandlords and TenantsLeases and Rent

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Landlords must provide AC each summer

The law requires landlords in covered apartment buildings to provide air-conditioning. Beginning June 1, 2026, new units must have AC. By June 1, 2026, any unit that had AC added or provided on or after January 1, 2025, or where a lease required the landlord to provide AC, must have AC. Beginning October 1, 2026, major electrical or heating renovations trigger the AC requirement. Each year from June 1 to September 30, landlords must keep AC on. If the landlord controls the system, each habitable room must be 80°F or cooler at 3 feet above the floor. If the tenant controls the system, the landlord must keep it in good working order so it can reach 80°F. Short shutoffs are allowed only for reasonable maintenance or repairs.

Only 10+ unit buildings covered

The AC rule applies only to apartment buildings with 10 or more units starting June 1, 2026. Units on properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places are exempt. It also excludes certain Housing Authority of Baltimore City properties: developments built from 1940 through 1950 and rowhouse public housing units acquired and rehabilitated from 1960 through 1997. Projects with building permits issued before June 1, 2026 are not subject to the new AC rules.

State AC standard overrides local rules

Starting June 1, 2026, the State’s AC rules control. Local governments cannot enforce air-conditioning standards that conflict with this law. This creates one statewide standard and blocks inconsistent local requirements.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chris West

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 169 • No: 56

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 101 • No: 34 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 35 • No: 11 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 33 • No: 11 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 664

    5/26/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/13/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (35-11)

    4/13/2026Senate

  4. Senate Concurs House Amendments

    4/13/2026Senate

  5. Third Reading Passed (101-34)

    4/13/2026House

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/9/2026House

  7. Favorable with Amendments {393224/1 Adopted

    4/9/2026House

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters

    4/9/2026House

  9. Hearing 4/02 at 2:30 p.m.

    4/2/2026House

  10. Hearing canceled

    4/2/2026House

  11. Hearing 4/02 at 1:30 p.m.

    4/2/2026House

  12. Hearing canceled

    4/2/2026House

  13. Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/24/2026House

  14. Referred Economic Matters

    3/20/2026House

  15. Third Reading Passed (33-11)

    3/19/2026Senate

  16. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/18/2026Senate

  17. Favorable with Amendments {293522/1 Adopted

    3/18/2026Senate

  18. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

    3/18/2026Senate

  19. First Reading Judicial Proceedings

    1/14/2026Senate

  20. Hearing 1/20 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/13/2026Senate

  21. Pre-filed

    10/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/18/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

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