Queen Anne's County, MD Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Occupancy caps for short-term residential rentals are in § 18:1-58J(2)(b) of the Queen Anne's County Code, added 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 24-09, and they apply in dwelling units in unincorporated Queen Anne's County. The limits depend on the sewer setup.

With public sewer and/or water, the maximum number of overnight occupants who are 18 years or older cannot exceed 10 or two persons per bedroom, whichever is less. The maximum number of guests, including overnight occupants, who can occupy the property at any one time cannot exceed 20 persons or the maximum capacity of adequate sewer and/or water services provided, whichever is less. Both numbers have a utility ceiling built in, so the capacity of the service can lower the count below 10 or 20.

Without public sewer, on private septic, the maximum number of overnight occupants and guests who are 18 years or older at any given time cannot exceed two persons per bedroom or the maximum treatment capacity of the on-site septic system, whichever is more. That sentence is printed with the words whichever is more, unlike the public-service sentence, which says whichever is less, and a septic owner should confirm with the Department of Planning and Zoning how the County applies it.

Two timing rules sit beside the headcount. All guests who are not overnight occupants must vacate the property not later than 11:00 p.m. each day during the short-term rental period, and outdoor amplified music must be discontinued at 8:00 p.m. Parking for all occupants and guests must be provided on-site. Special events are barred unless the Board of Appeals grants conditional use approval. The caps are conditions of the annual zoning certificate issued under § 18:1-138, so a breach is a compliance matter for the Planning Director.