Client Alert: 2026 Maryland Legislative Update for Common Ownership Communities
Date: July 1, 2026
By:
Ian A. Douglas
New Insurance Requirements for Condominium Owners
Bill: SB 747 / HB 469Effective Date: October 1, 2027
This is the most significant change from the 2026 session. This new law affects all residential condominium unit owners, but excludes communities consisting of solely detached units. Overall, the two changes are:
First, the new law increases the financial responsibility of a unit owner when damage or destruction originates from their unit. Under existing law, a unit owner whose unit is the source of a covered loss is responsible for up to $10,000 toward the association’s insurance deductible. Starting October 1, 2027, that cap increases. The unit owner may be responsible for the lowest of the following three amounts:
- The actual cost to repair or replace the damage;
- The association’s property insurance deductible; or
- $25,000.
Second, the new law creates a mandatory insurance requirement for individual unit owners. Excluding communities consisting of solely detached units, every condominium unit owner must now carry a personal insurance policy (often called an “HO-6” policy) that includes at minimum:
- Coverage for the association’s property insurance deductible (or at least the unit owner’s share of it);
- Loss assessment coverage of at least $25,000; and
- Dwelling or building property coverage of at least the greater of $25,000 or the total amount necessary to repair and replace the unit and all improvements.
Lastly, unit owners must provide proof of insurance to the association every year and whenever the association requests it. Similarly, associations will also be required to send an annual written notice to all unit owners explaining their potential financial exposure and the amount of the association’s current property insurance deductible.
What Boards and Managers Should Do Now
- Begin educating owners about the upcoming insurance mandate well before October 2027.
- Develop a system to collect and track proof-of-insurance certificates annually.
- Draft an annual notice that will inform owners of the deductible amount and their financial responsibility.
- Review your association’s current deductible amount with your insurance broker and consider whether adjustments are needed.
Electric Vehicle Charging in Common Areas
Bill: HB 405Effective Date: October 1, 2026
Many community association governing documents were drafted decades ago and either prohibit or create uncertainty around whether a board can install electric vehicle charging stations (referred to as “Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment” or “EVRE”) in common areas like parking garages and shared lots. This new law attempts to resolve that ambiguity.
Under HB 405, governing documents may no longer prohibit or unreasonably restrict a board from installing or authorizing the installation of EVRE in common areas. Boards now have clear legal authority to move forward with these projects subject to the association’s budget procedures.
However, the new law also ensures fiscal accountability: any EVRE installation must go through the same budget and approval process that would apply to a common area renovation or improvement of similar cost or size. In other words, boards cannot bypass normal financial controls just because the project involves EVRE infrastructure.
What Boards and Managers Should Do Now
- If your community has considered installing EVRE in common spaces, your board has the authority to authorize such projects through the usual budget process.
- Review your governing documents to identify any outdated restrictions that conflict with the new law.
- Consult your association’s attorney if you are unsure whether a provision qualifies as an “unreasonable restriction” under the new standard.
Extended Protection for Political and Proposition Signs
Bill: HB 855 / SB 758Effective Date: April 28, 2026 (already in effect)
Existing Maryland law already prohibited community associations from banning candidate signs and signs supporting or opposing ballot propositions during election season. Previously, the protected window was 30 days before and 7 days after an election or vote.
The new law extends that window to 45 days before the start of early voting for a primary or general election (or 45 days before the vote itself, if there is no early voting period). The trailing portion of this window remains unchanged at 7 days after the election or vote. This change reflects the reality that early voting has expanded the practical “election season” in Maryland.
What Boards and Managers Should Do Now
- Update any community rules or enforcement policies that reference the old 30-day sign-display period to reflect the new 45-day window.
- Notify management staff and violation-enforcement teams of the change so they do not issue erroneous warnings during the extended protected period.
- Remember that the protection applies to signs about candidates and ballot propositions—not to all signs in general.
Mandatory Board Training in Charles County
Bill: SB 573 / HB 913Effective Date: October 1, 2026
Each director and officer of a condominium or homeowners association in Charles County is now required to complete formal training for community associations: (a) provided by a common ownership commission recognized by the State or local government; or (b) approved by a recognized common ownership commission.
Under this law, newly elected or appointed board members and officers must complete an approved training program within 90 days after taking office. Similarly, board members and officers already serving as of October 1, 2025, must complete training within 90 days after the start of their next term. Furthermore, the association must retain each board member’s and officer’s certificate of completion of such training and report the same to the common ownership commission within 90 days. Fortunately, such certificate of completion shall be valid for 3 years, however, the board member or officer will need to newly complete the training following expiration of their certificate of completion.
The new law further dictates that any board member or officer that fails to complete the training may be removed from office or have their votes invalidated.
What Boards and Managers Should Do Now
- If your community is in Charles County, identify approved training providers immediately.
- Calendar the 90-day deadlines for current and incoming board members and officers.
- Establish a recordkeeping system for training certificates and commission notifications.
State Study on Aging Condominium Buildings
Bill: HB 956Effective Date: June 1, 2026 (already in effect)
Though this Act does not have a direct mandate for community associations, at this time, the Act directs the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to conduct a statewide study of condominium buildings that are more than 40 years old. This study will note the number of such buildings, the number of units in each, average owner ages and incomes, when each community last performed a reserve study, and whether reserve funds are adequately funded. DHCD must report its findings to the General Assembly by December 1, 2026.
Although this bill does not impose any new obligations on associations or owners today, it signals that the legislature is paying close attention to the financial health and structural condition of aging condominiums. The study’s results may lead to future legislation in upcoming sessions. Boards of older condominiums should be ready to cooperate with inquiries from DHCD and review their timeline for completing future reserve studies to ensure compliance with applicable deadlines.
Prince George’s County Rules for Common Ownership Communities
Local Resolution: CR-005-2026 and Attachment A (DR-3)Effective Date: March 17, 2026 (already in effect)
Unlike the statewide laws discussed above, these new regulations are specific to communities located in Prince George’s County. They relate to the availability of a community’s documents and contracts for inspection by a community’s membership and penalties for noncompliance, and board member qualifications, training, and meetings.
Regarding the availability of community documents, all common ownership communities in Prince George's County must have an online portal where owners may access electronic copies of the community’s governing documents (including but not limited to any articles of incorporation, declarations, master deeds, covenants, bylaws, resolutions, rules and regulations) and executed contracts and contract addendums. The regulation stipulates that contracts and addendums thereto must be sent to the owners annually on January 1st of each year and otherwise within 30 days of execution. The regulation also dictates that the association or its property management company may be fined escalating amounts for failures to provide such documents within specified periods of time.
The board related regulations require:
- That a majority of the board members, and the board president, reside within the community;
- That boards have open board meetings no less than once a quarter;
- That board members “have training in community governance and emergency preparedness”; and
- Provide electronic or mailed notice to the owners whenever the community’s reserve funds are depleted or are reduced below a threshold amount determined by the Prince George’s County Commission on Common Ownership Communities.
What Prince George’s County Boards and Managers Should Do Now
- Review whether your community has an online owner’s portal and whether vendor contracts and governing documents are available on it.
- Create a process for sending annual contract notices and for sending new or modified contracts within 30 days.
- Check whether the board’s composition, meeting schedule, training practices, and reserve-notice procedures would satisfy the county rules.
The information contained here is not intended to provide legal advice or opinion and should not be acted upon without consulting an attorney. Counsel should not be selected based on advertising materials, and we recommend that you conduct further investigation when seeking legal representation.