A provision buried in Maryland's eviction reform bill eliminates multiple revenue streams for mobile home park operators—and most don't know it's coming.
Most Maryland mobile home park owners haven't heard about a provision in SB729 that will fundamentally reshape how they can charge residents. Buried on page 18 of the bill, under § 8A–402, is a flat prohibition on fees that have been standard practice in the industry for years. And it takes effect October 1, 2026.
Starting in October 2026, mobile home park owners in Maryland will be prohibited from charging residents fees for:
These aren't minor line items. For many park operators—particularly smaller businesses—parking fees, pet fees, and installation charges represent meaningful revenue. The law doesn't allow exceptions, grandfather clauses, or phase-in periods. The fees simply become unlawful.
This applies to all mobile home park owners and operators in Maryland. Whether you manage a small family-owned park or a larger portfolio, you'll need to comply by the October 1, 2026 effective date.
The impact extends beyond revenue. Park operators will need to:
This is a structural change to park economics. You can't simply pass these costs to residents through other mechanisms—the law targets the specific fee categories, not the underlying costs. That means park operators will need to absorb these expenses, adjust operational budgets, or find alternative revenue sources that don't violate the statute.
The provision is part of SB729, which focuses primarily on expanding access to legal counsel in eviction proceedings. But this fee ban operates independently and applies to all Maryland mobile home parks regardless of whether they're involved in eviction cases.
If you operate a mobile home park in Maryland, now is the time to:
The 18-month window between now and the effective date is narrower than it might seem when you factor in lease renewal cycles, resident communication, and system changes.
For a detailed breakdown of SB729's provisions affecting property owners, free resources are available through Maryland real estate and property management associations.