Short-Term Rentals in Baltimore County, MD (2026)

10 rules for unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Baltimore County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Short-Term Rental Permits

To register, a host submits the Director's application form and pays the fee. The form must list all owners and any agent, building type, number of bedrooms, hosted or un-hosted status, hosting platforms used, all guest parking spaces, proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance, and septic details. Licenses are non-transferable.

Baltimore County STR License Application Requirements

Some Restrictions

Baltimore County Code 35-6-203(A), (B)

In order to obtain a short-term rental license, a host shall: (1) submit to the Director an application on the form the Director provides; and (2) pay to the Director the application fee... A short-term rental license is not transferrable to another host for any reason, including the sale of the short-term rental.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

The STR ordinance requires hosts to ensure use of the rental abides by Article 13 of the County Code, which includes the noise controls. The host or a representative must be reachable by emergency services and onsite within 60 minutes to address problems such as noise.

Baltimore County STR Noise and Nuisance Rules

Some Restrictions

Baltimore County Code 35-6-209(B)

At all times, the host shall ensure: ... (2) the use of the short-term rental abides by Article 13 of the Code and any other applicable County law or regulation; ... and ... the host or a representative of the host is available to respond to calls from emergency services and government agencies and to be onsite within 60 minutes.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Short-term rentals owe Baltimore County's Transient Occupancy Tax of 9.5% of the room rate under Article 11, Subtitle 4, Title 4 of the County Code. The STR license application and renewal fee may not be less than $300, and the license runs for a three-year term.

Baltimore County STR Transient Tax and License Fee

Some Restrictions

Baltimore County Code 35-6-211

A short-term rental is subject to the transient occupancy tax under Article 11, Subtitle 4, Title 4 of the Code and shall comply with all applicable requirements.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

A Baltimore County short-term rental must provide a minimum of one parking space for every two guests. The application must disclose the number and location of all guest parking spaces, and a host may not advertise more parking than is actually available as determined by the Director.

Baltimore County STR Parking Requirements

Some Restrictions

Baltimore County Code 35-6-208(D)

A short-term rental shall provide a minimum of one parking space per 2 guests.(e)If a short-term rental is served by a septic system, the maximum number of guests may not exceed the maximum capacity of the individual sewage disposal system, as approved by the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability. (Bill No. 68-24, § 1, 9-23-2024)

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Guest counts are capped by bedrooms, parking, and septic capacity, but never more than 8 guests in a single-family detached dwelling or 6 in an attached or semi-detached dwelling. A rental may host no more than 2 guests per bedroom, and at least one guest must be 21 or older.

Baltimore County STR Guest Occupancy Limits

Some Restrictions

Baltimore County Code 35-6-208(B)(2)

Regardless of whether more guests may be permitted due to the number of bedrooms, parking spaces, or septic system capacity, the maximum number of guests... is: (I) 8 guests in a single-family detached dwelling; and (II) 6 guests in a single-family attached or single-family semi-detached dwelling.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Baltimore County requires every short-term rental host to carry an active liability insurance policy of at least $1,000,000, both to obtain a license and continuously for as long as it is held. Proof is due with the application, and lapsing coverage is grounds for suspension.

Baltimore County STR: $1 Million Liability Insurance

Some Restrictions

Baltimore County Code § 35-6-204(a)(7); § 35-6-209(b)(4)

§ 35-6-204(a): In addition to any other information required on an application form, the application form shall require:...(7)Proof of an active liability insurance policy of at least $1,000,000 for the short-term rental;... § 35-6-209. - HOST REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS. (b)At all times, the host shall ensure:(1)One or more guests is at least 21 years old;(2)The use of the short-term rental a...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Baltimore County sets no annual night cap on STR operation, but defines a short-term rental as occupancy of no more than 30 consecutive days, and a rental may not be rented for more than 30 consecutive days by the same guest. Longer stays fall outside the STR license.

Baltimore County STR Rental-Length Limits

Some Restrictions

Baltimore County Code 35-6-208(A)

A short-term rental may not be rented for more than 30 consecutive days by the same guest.(b)(1)Except for paragraph (2) of this subsection, the maximum number of guests that may occupy a short-term rental at any given time shall be limited by:(i)The number of bedrooms in the short-term rental;(ii)The number of provided parking spaces; and(iii)If applicable, the capacity of the septic system th...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Baltimore County distinguishes hosted units, where the host resides on the property during the rental, from un-hosted units, where they do not. Un-hosted rentals are allowed, but for every rental the host or a representative must be reachable by emergency services and able to be onsite within 60 minutes.

Baltimore County STR Host Presence and Response

Some Restrictions

Baltimore County Code 35-6-201(B)(4), (8)

"Hosted unit" means a short-term rental where the host resides on the property during the time of the rental.(5)"Hosting Platform" means an internet-based entity that facilitates reservations and booking transactions for short-term rentals.(6)"Rent" means charges for services and booking transactions, excluding taxes or government-issued fines, in exchange for occupancy of a short-term rental a...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Baltimore County's code does not textually require the STR to be the host's primary residence, but it bars licensing accessory dwelling units and units already holding a long-term rental license. Each unit is designated hosted or un-hosted on the application, and both types are permitted.

Baltimore County STR Ownership and Unit Restrictions

Some Restrictions

Baltimore County Code 35-6-202(C)

A short-term rental license may not be issued for: (1) a dwelling or unit that has a long-term rental license issued under Subtitle 1 of Article 35, Title 6 of the Code, including a dwelling in an apartment complex; or (2) an accessory dwelling unit.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Repeat Violator Strikes

Baltimore County escalates penalties for repeat unruly-gathering violations at a rental property, from a warning notice on the first offense to potential suspension or revocation of the rental license by the third. Because short-term rental hosts must comply with Article 13, that escalation reaches STR licenses too.

Baltimore County: Three-Strike Rental Party Penalties

Significant Restrictions

Baltimore County Code § 13-7-134(a); § 35-6-213(a)(5)

(a)In general. In addition to any other applicable civil or criminal penalties, a person who violates § 13-7-132(a) of this Part IV of this subtitle is subject to the following civil penalties for violations that occur within a period of 24 months from the date of the first violation:(1)For the first violation:(i)A civil penalty of $500 and 20 hours of community service for the responsible pers...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Baltimore County ordinances

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