Montgomery County, MD Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Montgomery County, MD, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- License Fee
- $500/year (non-refundable)
- Max Absent-Owner Days
- 120 days/calendar year
- Max Guests
- 6 adults; 2 per bedroom
- Code
- Chapter 54, Article III (Bill 22-23, eff. July 1, 2024)
Summary
Short-term residential rentals in unincorporated Montgomery County require a license from DHCA under County Code Chapter 54, Article III. Annual license fee is $500. Owner must occupy the property as primary residence. Effective July 2018; updated Bill 22-23 effective July 1, 2024.
Licensing and Registration is responsible for issuing rental licenses to over 100,000 condominiums, single-family homes, multi-family units, and accessory dwelling units under Montgomery County Code, Chapter 29, Landlord-Tenant Regulations. In addition, the unit registers 1,100 homeowner and condominium associations known as Common Ownership Communities under Chapter 10B, Common Ownership Communities. Annually, Licensing and Registration conducts Montgomery County's Rental Housing Survey on area rent, vacancies, turnover, utilities, and amenities, which is published on the CountyStat website. Rental properties must complete an annual survey by April 30 of each year. Rental Properties built before 1978 must comply with Maryland's Lead Poisoning Risk Reduction Requirements. Single-family or condominium owners who rent their properties, are required to obtain a rental housing license every year. An AccessMCG e-mail account is required to manage your Licensing and Registration online record, pay a bill or apply for a new license. Condominium and Homeowners Associations are required to register with Licensing and Registration annually. Apartment and multi-family property owners are required to obtain and display an annual rental housing license covering all rented units in the property.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Montgomery County Code Chapter 54, Article III (as amended by Bill 2-16 in 2018 and Bill 22-23 effective July 1, 2024) requires all short-term residential rentals (rentals under 30 consecutive days) to obtain an annual license from the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA). The property must be the owner's primary residence, and only one property may be licensed per owner. When the owner is absent, rentals are limited to 120 days per calendar year. Maximum of 6 adults per stay, 2 per bedroom. ADUs may not be operated as STRs. Applicants must obtain a Maryland State Sales/Use Tax ID and register for a Room Rental-Transient Tax Account. License is valid for one year. Municipalities within Montgomery County (Gaithersburg, Rockville, and several towns) are exempt from the county STR law and set their own rules.
Violations & Fines
Unlicensed operation may result in additional fees, penalties, and restrictions on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Montgomery County?
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Montgomery County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
How Montgomery County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·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.