New Real Estate Laws in Maryland 2026
Deciding to buy real estate investment properties depends on some factors that change so quickly that making predictions about them is little more than speculation. There is even more uncertainty if you are planning to build a real estate development with multiple housing units or commercial spaces. Besides basing your decisions on things that you think will happen in the future, recent changes to real estate laws should be a factor in your decision. Two laws that Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed in May 2026 pertain to new real estate developments. One of them might influence your decisions about where to build, and the other will take away some of the uncertainty that can cause real estate development projects to run into obstacles. For legal advice about a real estate development project that you are currently pursuing or are planning to pursue, contact a Washington, D.C. real estate lawyer.
Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act
The Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act (HB 894) aims to increase access to public transportation by encouraging the building of housing units near existing railway stations on Maryland’s various commuter rail lines. It allocates nearly $1.4 billion in revenues from state and local taxes to the building of housing units on 300 acres of land within walking distance of train stations. The goal is to build 7,000 new housing units in the designated areas, where residents will easily be able to walk to railway stations, thereby reducing their reliance on cars and reducing Maryland’s carbon footprint. Real estate developers who build in these areas will be eligible to apply for MEDCO loans. The new developments will also count as Enterprise Zones, thereby making the developers who build there eligible for the financial incentives associated with these zones.
Maryland Housing Certainty Act
The Maryland Housing Certainty Act (HB 548 and SB 325) aims to prevent real estate development projects from going on hiatus due to changes in the law. When you submit a completed application to build on a piece of land, the laws that are in effect when the government receives your completed application are the ones that will apply to the project until it is finished. If Maryland subsequently passes laws that increase financial obligations for developers in the process of building, for example, these obligations will not apply to you. Pursuant to the new law, Maryland will no longer assess excise taxes on real estate projects until the project is complete.
Look at the Big Picture Before You Build
The new laws should come as welcome news for real estate developers. You can plan your project to access financial incentives for projects meant to benefit Maryland’s economy in ways that the eventual owners and tenants of your housing units can feel. Before you file forms or sign agreements to start your project, though, you should consult a lawyer.
Contact Tobin O’Connor Concino P.C. About New Real Estate Projects
A Washington, D.C. real estate attorney can help you comply with current laws to ensure the success of your real estate project. Contact Tobin O’Connor Concino P.C. in Washington, D.C. or call 202-362-5900.
Source:
governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/governor-moore-signs-legislation-expand-housing-access-and-strengthen-education-during-final-bill
