Gaithersburg vs Rockville
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Gaithersburg, MD and Rockville, MD?
Rockville has fewer restrictions than Gaithersburg.
Gaithersburg, MD
Montgomery County
Montgomery County limits STR occupancy to a maximum number of guests based on the licensed sleeping areas. The STR license application requires disclosure of bedrooms and sleeping capacity. Events and parties that exceed listed occupancy are prohibited under the license conditions.
View full Gaithersburg rules →Rockville, MD
Montgomery County
MoCo limits STRs to six adults per property and two per bedroom. Only the owner primary residence qualifies. ADUs cannot be used as short-term rentals.
View full Rockville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Gaithersburg | Rockville |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Bedrooms listed on license | - |
| Standard | 2 persons per bedroom typical | - |
| Events/Parties | Prohibited beyond occupancy | - |
| Advertising | Must match licensed capacity | - |
| Max Adults | - | 6 per property |
| Per Bedroom | - | 2 adults maximum |
| ADUs | - | Not permitted for STR |
| Residence | - | Primary residence only |
| Penalty | - | Up to $1,000 Class A |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Gaithersburg FAQ
How many guests can I have in my Gaithersburg STR?
Occupancy is based on the number of bedrooms listed on your county STR license, generally two persons per bedroom. You must not exceed the licensed capacity.
Can I host a party at my short-term rental in Gaithersburg?
No. Events and gatherings that exceed the listed occupancy are prohibited under Montgomery County STR license conditions.
Rockville FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Rockville short-term rental?
Montgomery County limits short-term rentals to six adults (age 18 and older) total and two adults per bedroom. Children are not counted toward the adult cap but total occupancy must meet fire safety standards.
Can I rent my ADU as a short-term rental?
No. Montgomery County explicitly prohibits Accessory Dwelling Units from being used as short-term rentals. Only the primary residence qualifies for a license.
Compare other topics
See how Gaithersburg and Rockville compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool