Montgomery County, MD Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)
Key Facts
- Unhosted rental cap
- 120 days per calendar year
- Hosted rental cap
- No limit if owner present
- Must be
- Owner's/resident's primary residence
- License required
- Chapter 54 STR license
- Barred on
- Farm Tenant Dwellings, lots with an ADU
Summary
Montgomery County caps unhosted short-term rentals at 120 days a year, but hosted rentals where the owner is present have no day limit.
If the property owner or owner-authorized resident is not present in the residence, the property can be used as a Short-Term Residential Rental for a maximum of 120 days in a calendar year. If the property owner or owner-authorized resident is physically present and occupies the resi-dence during the rental stay, there is no limitation on the number of days the property can be used as a Short-Term Residential Rental.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under the Zoning Ordinance, a Short-Term Residential Rental can only run in a dwelling that is the owner's or an owner-authorized resident's primary residence. If that owner or resident is not physically present in the home during the stay, the property may be used as a Short-Term Residential Rental for a maximum of 120 days in a calendar year. If the owner or authorized resident is present and occupies the dwelling during the rental, the code sets no cap on the number of rental days. The use also requires a license under Chapter 54 and is barred entirely in a Farm Tenant Dwelling or on a lot with an Accessory Dwelling Unit.
Violations & Fines
Renting an unhosted STR beyond 120 days a year, or without the required Chapter 54 license, is a zoning violation subject to Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services enforcement and civil citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my Montgomery County home short-term when I'm out of town?
Does the 120-day cap apply if I live in the house during the rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.