On this page 8 sections
In short
- Borrowing: at Maryland's median home value, a hypothetical line is about $131,040 (math below).
- State tax: yes. A county recordation tax per $500 of debt, about 0.5% to 1.4% in the examples below.
- Signing: Maryland isn't a community property state. Co-owners sign; ask the lender about a spouse who isn't on title.
How much you could borrow in Maryland
A HELOC limit starts with your home's value, the share of it a program will lend against in total, and what you already owe. Here's the math using Maryland's median owner-occupied home value from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2024).
Hypothetical math, not a quote. The 80% combined loan-to-value (CLTV) is an assumption; the maximum depends on the program, your credit and the property, and income and debts can lower the line further. Run your own numbers in the HELOC calculator.
Maryland's recordation tax on a HELOC
Maryland charges a recordation tax on mortgages and deeds of trust, figured per $500 of the debt secured (Md. Code, Tax-Property § 12-103). Each county and Baltimore City sets its own rate. Examples for fiscal 2027, per $500:
| Jurisdiction | Rate per $500 | Approx. % of debt |
|---|---|---|
| Howard County | $2.50 | 0.50% |
| Baltimore County | $2.50 | 0.50% |
| Prince George's County | $2.75 | 0.55% |
| Anne Arundel County | $3.50 | 0.70% |
| Baltimore City | $5.00 | 1.00% |
| Frederick County | $7.00 | 1.40% |
For a line of credit, the tax applies to the debt incurred when the mortgage is recorded, and tax on later advances is due within 7 days after each new advance. You can instead pay the tax up front on the maximum line amount, and you must be told about both options (§ 12-105(f)).
There's a refinance exemption: a mortgage is not taxed to the extent it refinances the unpaid principal of an existing mortgage by the same borrower (§ 12-108(g)). New money above that balance is taxed. Ask your lender how the tax will be handled on your line.
Who has to sign
Maryland is not a community property state. We didn't find a Maryland statute that requires a spouse who isn't on the title to sign a mortgage on the home, so who signs depends on how the home is titled and on the lender's and title company's requirements. If you and your spouse own the home together, expect both of you to sign.
Federal rules that apply in every state
- You get a three-business-day right to cancel a HELOC on your principal home. See where to find your terms.
- A variable-rate HELOC can change only with a public index outside the lender's control, and it must have a lifetime rate cap. See how HELOC rates are set.
- Your lender must give you HELOC disclosures and the CFPB's HELOC booklet when you apply.
Getting a HELOC in Maryland
Tyler Huntington is licensed in Maryland and works with homeowners statewide, including the Baltimore, Hagerstown and Salisbury areas. Compare the line amount, the margin, the caps, the draw and repayment periods and the total fees, including any Maryland recording costs above. Start with what lenders check.
Sources
- Md. Code, Tax-Property § 12-103 (recordation tax rates)
- Md. Code, Tax-Property § 12-105 (debt not fully incurred)
- Md. Code, Tax-Property § 12-108 (refinance exemption)
- Maryland Department of Legislative Services, county local tax rates FY 2026
- Maryland General Assembly, county tax rates through FY 2027
- IRS Publication 555, Community Property
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B25077 (Maryland)
Frequently asked questions
How much can I borrow with a HELOC in Maryland?
It depends on your home's value, what you owe and the program's maximum combined loan-to-value. At Maryland's median owner-occupied value of $436,300 (2024 Census estimate), an 80% CLTV and $218,000 owed, the line would be about $131,040. That's hypothetical math, not a quote.
Is there a recordation tax on a HELOC in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland's recordation tax applies to mortgages and deeds of trust at a rate set by each county, per $500 of debt. On a line of credit you can pay it as you draw or up front on the maximum line (Tax-Property § 12-105(f)).
Does my spouse have to sign a HELOC in Maryland?
If your spouse is on the title, yes. We didn't find a Maryland statute requiring a spouse who isn't on the title to sign, so it depends on how the home is titled and on the lender's requirements. Ask before closing.
Is Tyler Huntington licensed in Maryland?
Yes. Tyler Huntington (NMLS #181638) is licensed in Maryland. You can verify any loan officer's licensing at NMLS Consumer Access.
Questions about your own situation? Contact a licensed loan officer. It's optional, and your information is not sold to lead marketplaces.