Does Calvert County require a rental license?
The county does not. The Maryland People’s Law Library lists no county rental license in Calvert County. It does list two towns that license rentals on their own: Chesapeake Beach (Code section 162-14) and North Beach. The table was last updated September 22, 2026. See the rental license entry and our Southern Maryland rental license guide for the full comparison.
If a town requires a license and you rent without one, you cannot use the failure to pay rent process in District Court. That is why the town matters even when the county has no rule. Our Chesapeake Beach page covers the town’s rule.
What does HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent say about Calvert County?
HUD sets a Small Area Fair Market Rent for each ZIP code in Calvert County. It is a federal benchmark used for voucher programs. It is not a prediction of what a specific home will rent for. A housing choice voucher payment standard starts from it.
| ZIP | Area | Efficiency | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20678 | Prince Frederick | $1,160 | $1,160 | $1,480 | $2,050 | $2,320 |
| 20639 | Huntingtown | $1,210 | $1,220 | $1,550 | $2,150 | $2,430 |
| 20736 | Owings | $1,370 | $1,380 | $1,750 | $2,420 | $2,740 |
| 20689 | Chesapeake Beach | $1,370 | $1,380 | $1,760 | $2,430 | $2,750 |
| 20657 | Lusby | $1,400 | $1,410 | $1,790 | $2,480 | $2,800 |
| 20732 | Chesapeake Beach | $1,490 | $1,510 | $1,910 | $2,640 | $2,990 |
| 20714 | North Beach | $1,610 | $1,640 | $2,070 | $2,790 | $3,140 |
| 20754 | Dunkirk | $2,040 | $2,070 | $2,620 | $3,580 | $4,030 |
| 20629 | Solomons | $1,890 | $1,910 | $2,420 | $3,350 | $3,790 |
| 20688 | Solomons | $2,240 | $2,250 | $2,840 | $3,930 | $4,450 |
Source: HUD FY2027 Small Area FMRs for Calvert County, retrieved October 29, 2026. For a number based on your own home, request a free rental assessment. The market rent entry explains how the two differ.
Which utilities serve Calvert County?
SMECO provides electric service to all but the northern tip of Calvert County. If your home is in the far north, ask the utility which company serves the address before you tell a tenant to set up service. Water and sewer depend on the address, so ask the county or the previous tenant.
Can you commute from Calvert County by bus?
Maryland MTA runs four commuter routes from Calvert County.
| Route | Calvert stops listed | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| 820 | North Beach, Owings, PG Equestrian Center | Washington, DC |
| 830 | Sunderland park and ride, Dunkirk park and ride | Washington, DC |
| 840 | St. Leonard church, Prince Frederick park and ride, Sunderland, Dunkirk | Washington, DC |
| 850 | Prince Frederick, Dunkirk, Wayson’s Corner | Suitland Metro station and Washington, including Navy Yard stops |
The county also publishes its own bus schedules on the Calvert County Public Transportation page. St. Mary’s Transit System route 5 runs from Lexington Park to Solomons.
What parks and landmarks are in Calvert County?
- Calvert Cliffs State Park in Lusby has a sandy beach, fossils and 13 miles of hiking trails, according to Maryland DNR.
- Dunkirk District Park, at 10750 Southern Maryland Blvd, is 81.42 acres in the northernmost part of the county.
- The Naval Research Laboratory’s Chesapeake Bay Detachment sits on the south end of Chesapeake Beach.
The county seat is Prince Frederick, home to CalvertHealth Medical Center at 100 Hospital Rd. Public schools are run by Calvert County Public Schools.
What should an owner check first in Calvert County?
- Confirm the license rule for your town. Chesapeake Beach and North Beach require a license. The county does not.
- Look up your ZIP. HUD’s two-bedroom benchmark runs from $1,480 in 20678 to $2,840 in 20688, so a county average tells you little.
- Confirm the electric provider if the home is in the northern tip of the county.
- Note the nearest MTA park and ride and state it as a fact about the location.
- Ask for a free assessment, so the rent you set comes from your own home and not from a federal table.
The owner portal entry explains how online statements work for owners.
Where do we manage homes in Calvert County?
Our office for St. Mary’s and Calvert counties is at 22099 Three Notch Road Ste 111, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Real Property Management Gold handles marketing, tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance, and financial reporting. We also manage homes in Huntingtown.
Town pages with local detail:
Our tenant placement fee is 6.9% of the 1-year lease total, charged once after move-in. See property management fees for the three management plans. If we don’t rent your property in 29 days or less, you do not pay a management fee for the first month. That promise is included in the Gold and Platinum plans.
Next step
Request a free assessment at Contact us or call (301) 392-2172. Compare the other counties on Areas we serve.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Does Calvert County require a rental license?
The county does not. The Maryland People's Law Library lists no county license, but the towns of Chesapeake Beach (Code section 162-14) and North Beach license rentals. Its table was last updated September 22, 2026. Confirm with the town before you list a home.
What is the HUD Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom in Prince Frederick?
For FY2027, HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom in ZIP 20678 is $1,480. It is a federal benchmark used for voucher programs, not a prediction of what a specific home will rent for. Request a free assessment for a number based on your home.
Who provides electricity in Calvert County?
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative says it serves all but the northern tip of Calvert County. If your home is in the far north, such as near Dunkirk, ask the utility which company serves the address.
Can I commute from Calvert County to Washington, DC by bus?
Maryland MTA runs commuter routes 820 (North Beach and Owings), 830 (Sunderland and Dunkirk), 840 (St. Leonard and Prince Frederick) and 850 (Prince Frederick and Dunkirk to Suitland and Washington). Check the MTA schedule pages for current times.
Terms on this page
Sources
- Maryland People's Law Library: Rental License Requirements
- Maryland People's Law Library: Rental License Requirements
- HUD User: FY2027 Small Area FMRs, Calvert County HUD Metro FMR Area
- Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative: Service Area
- Maryland MTA: Route 840
- Maryland MTA: Route 840
- Maryland MTA: Route 840
- Maryland MTA: Route 850
- Maryland MTA: Route 850
- Maryland MTA: Route 830
- Maryland MTA: Route 830
- Maryland MTA: Route 820
- Maryland MTA: Route 820
- Maryland DNR: Calvert Cliffs State Park
- Maryland Military and Community Compatibility: NRL Chesapeake Bay Detachment
- Calvert County Government: Dunkirk District Park grant application
- Maryland Manual On-Line: Calvert County
- CalvertHealth: Locations
- Calvert County Public Schools
Checked against the sources above on October 29, 2026. Laws, fees and programs change, so check the linked page before you act.
