Prince George's County, MD Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Host Present
- Up to 180 days/year
- Host Absent
- Up to 90 days/year
- Emergency Contact
- Within 25 miles of county
- Contact Posting
- Conspicuous inside unit
Summary
Whether the host is present sets the annual cap in Prince George's County: an owner-occupied rental (host present the entire time) may operate up to 180 days per year, while an unoccupied rental is limited to 90 days. A local emergency contact must be available to respond.
Owner Occupied means the host and legal owner of a residential dwelling unit who is present during the entire time of the short-term rental. … an individual that will serve as the emergency contact, other than the host, who resides within Prince George's County or within 25 miles … responsible for responding to the short-term rental for any issues.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Under CB-11-2018 (Subtitle 5, Division 8), owner occupied means the host and legal owner is present during the entire time of the short-term rental; owner-occupied rentals may be used up to 180 days per calendar year, while a rental unoccupied by the owner is limited to 90 days per year. In place of on-site host presence, the host must designate an emergency contact, other than the host, who resides within Prince George's County or within 25 miles, responsible for responding to the rental for any issues that require immediate attention. Emergency contact information must be conspicuously posted inside the rental. Host presence status cannot be combined to exceed the allowable calendar days.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unoccupied rental beyond 90 days, combining presence categories to exceed limits, or failing to maintain a responsive local emergency contact violates the host requirements and can lead to citations and license suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the host have to be present during a short-term rental?
Who handles problems if the host is away?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
Compare Prince George's County to another location·View the Maryland short-term rentals overview
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