Short-term rental permit rules in Baltimore County, MD — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Baltimore County requires a short-term rental license countywide. A host may not advertise on a platform, accept a booking, or rent to a guest without one. Licenses issue through Permits, Approvals and Inspections and cannot cover accessory dwelling units or units already holding a long-term rental license.
Effective October 7, 2024, Bill 68-24 added Baltimore County Code Article 35, Title 6, Subtitle 2 (Sections 35-6-201 through 35-6-215). A short-term rental is a residential dwelling leased through a hosting platform for no more than 30 consecutive days. The Director issues a license to any host whose rental meets the subtitle's requirements, which may include an inspection by Code Enforcement or the Fire Marshal. Licenses cannot issue for accessory dwelling units or units already covered by a long-term rental license. Hosts operating before the effective date had 180 days to comply. This is Baltimore COUNTY (Towson seat), not Baltimore City.
Advertising, accepting a booking, or renting a short-term rental without a license carries a civil penalty of $1,000, and each day of violation is a separate offense.
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