Queen Anne's County, MD Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Short-term residential rentals are a supplemental use regulated under § 18:1-58J of the Queen Anne's County Code, added 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 24-09. The County Commissioners wrote the rules to minimize adverse impacts on neighboring properties from frequent change over of guests, increases in parking requirements, lack of familiarity with property boundaries, and excessive noise. They are permitted in dwelling units in all zoning districts of unincorporated Queen Anne's County, provided each condition in subsection J(2) is met.

The permit path runs through the Department of Planning and Zoning. The owner must secure zoning approvals under § 18:1-132 et seq., and the Department cannot issue them until the property has been inspected for compliance with applicable building, habitability, and fire safety codes and the owner has shown compliance with the registration requirement. A zoning certificate is then issued annually under § 18:1-138. After the initial certificate, self-certification for inspection can be confirmed through an affidavit that accompanies the annual zoning certificate application. Every five years after the initial application, a County inspection is required before a certificate is issued. The County also reserves the right to inspect during certificate review, and self-certification is not available for a property that has previously been subject to the enforcement provisions in subsection J(3).

Registration is the second gate. The owner must register the use with the Queen Anne's County Finance Office to facilitate collection of the County's hotel rental tax. Special events are not part of the certificate: a short-term residential rental cannot be used for special events unless the Board of Appeals grants conditional use approval. Other conditions in the same subsection cover on-site parking for all occupants and guests, discontinuing outdoor amplified music at 8:00 p.m., and a local owner or manager.