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Maryland Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Laws 2026

LawfulStay tracks short-term rental (STR / Airbnb / Vrbo / holiday let / vacation rental) regulations for 8 jurisdictions across Maryland. Select a city below for current permit requirements, tax rates, and compliance details.

4 Active 3 Restricted 1 Banned

Maryland Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

The short-term rental regulatory landscape in Maryland encompasses 8 tracked jurisdictions: 4 with active regulations, 3 with restrictions, 1 where STRs are banned. Hosts operating on platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com should verify local requirements before listing, as rules vary significantly between cities and regions.

Approximately 100% of tracked jurisdictions in Maryland require some form of permit, license, or registration for short-term rental operations. Requirements range from simple online registration to comprehensive permit applications with inspections.

Tax obligations apply in 8 of 8 jurisdictions. Common taxes include occupancy taxes, tourist levies, and sales taxes. Many jurisdictions require hosts to register for tax collection, and some platforms like Airbnb collect and remit taxes automatically in select locations.

Notable jurisdictions where short-term rentals are currently banned or heavily restricted include Chesapeake Beach. Hosts should check these listings for details on specific prohibitions and any exceptions that may apply.

LawfulStay monitors Maryland STR regulations daily and updates this page as rules change. Each city page includes detailed permit requirements, fee schedules, tax rates, zoning rules, and penalty information sourced from official government websites.

Chesapeake Beach
Violations result in a municipal infraction and fine. Each day the violation continues constitutes a separate offense and fine. The town actively enforces this …
Banned
Annapolis
Annapolis enacted a one-year moratorium on new non-owner-occupied STR licenses beginning March 9, 2026. Existing license holders may renew, and owner-occupied S…
Restricted
Baltimore
Must be primary residence (≥180 days/year); property must be individually deeded (no LLCs). Hosted/owner-occupied STRs: new licenses accepted. Unhosted (non-own…
Restricted
St. Michaels
St. Michaels has a two-layer licensing system: (1) Town of St. Michaels STR license under Zoning Ordinance Ch. 340-73 (stmichaelsmd.gov); (2) Talbot County STR …
Restricted
Deep Creek Lake
All living facilities must be within the principal structure; no quarters in accessory buildings. Owner/agent must notify the Office of Licensing and Enforcemen…
Active
Frederick
$240/unit for 2-year license (~$120/year equivalent). STRs must comply with Land Management Code zoning. Frederick County (outside city): STRs in RA/RP/MH1 dist…
Active
Montgomery County
Must be primary residence. ADUs, farm tenant dwellings, and second homes excluded. 120-day annual cap for unhosted stays. Max 6 adults/stay, 2 adults/bedroom. N…
Active
Ocean City
Ocean City's STR moratorium was repealed by the City Council on February 18, 2026, following certification of sufficient referendum signatures for a second publ…
Active