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Anne Arundel County, MD Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Short-term rental permit rules in Anne Arundel County, MD, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

Registration required
Before any short-term rental booking
Unit cap
Two dwelling units per host
Registration fee
$100.00 for a two-year term
Minimum stay
24 hours per rental period
Enforcing agency
Department of Inspections and Permits

Summary

Anne Arundel County requires hosts to register each short-term rental with the Department of Inspections and Permits before booking guests, capping registrations at two dwelling units per host.

City-specific rules exist: Annapolis has its own short-term rental permits rules that differ from Anne Arundel County's county-level regulations. If you live in Annapolis, check the city-specific page instead.

(a) Requirements and prohibitions. (1) A host may not enter into a short-term residential rental agreement with a transient guest or rent a dwelling unit to a transient guest without first obtaining an approved registration from the Department. (2) A host may not register more than two dwelling units as short-term residential rentals. ... (d) Fees. The fee for the registration or renewal of a short-term residential rental is $100.00.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Under Anne Arundel County Code § 11-13A-102, a host may not rent a dwelling unit to a transient guest without an approved short-term rental registration from the Department of Inspections and Permits. Registration costs $100.00 and lasts two years, renewable by application at least 30 days before expiration. Hosts may register no more than two dwelling units, must post the registration number and a unit sign, keep guest records for three years, and set rental periods no shorter than 24 hours. The Department may deny, suspend, or revoke a registration after 10 days' notice for violations, false statements, or unpaid County taxes, fines, or fees.

Violations & Fines

Violating any short-term rental rule is a Class C civil offense (County Code § 11-13A-104), fined $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat violations under § 9-2-101(f)(3).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my Airbnb in Anne Arundel County?
Yes. County Code § 11-13A-102 bars hosts from renting to a transient guest without an approved registration from the Department of Inspections and Permits, which costs $100.00 and lasts two years.
How many rentals can one host register?
No more than two dwelling units per host, including units tied to any co-owner or business partner with a financial interest in the host, under § 11-13A-102(a)(2)-(3).
Does this apply in Glen Burnie or Severna Park?
Yes. Glen Burnie, Severna Park, and other unincorporated communities have no city government, so this County registration rule is their only short-term rental law. Annapolis and Highland Beach have separate city codes.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Anne Arundel County

All Anne Arundel County rules

How Anne Arundel County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland short-term rentals overview

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