Owners of Prince George’s County’s approximately 1,500 Airbnb listings and of properties listed on other short-term rental platforms will now have to be licensed and comply with county regulations.
County officials view the legislation as a balance between protecting the health and safety of residents as well as allowing residents to continue to enjoy the economic benefits of listing their properties on short-term rental sites.
As reported by The Washington Post only owner-occupied residences would be allowed to be listed as short-term rentals and only under the new rules. Short-term rentals of investment properties would be prohibited:
The bill prevents homeowners from renting their properties on platforms such as Airbnb for more than 30 consecutive days. They can rent their properties for up to 90 days a year when they are not home, or up to 180 days a year when they are home — but the total number of rental days cannot exceed 180.
Hourly rentals, and rentals for less than 24 hours, are prohibited, an effort to deter prostitution and human trafficking. There can be no more than three guests per bedroom or parking space, and eight guests in all.
The short-term rental legislation was passed by the county council and is expected to be signed by County Executive Rushern Baker.
Short-term rentals have been the focus of a number of bills introduced in the general assembly in recent years that have sought stronger regulation and tax collection. While statewide bills have failed to pass, jurisdictions such as Montgomery County have passed local legislation to regulate short-term rentals while others such as Baltimore City have bills pending.
For more information:
Prince George’s County Council approves strict regulations on short-term rentals (The Washington Post)
Bill Strikes Balance Between Airbnb and Local Regulation (Conduit Street)
Short-Term Rental Bill Dies in House Committee (Conduit Street)
Montgomery to Regulate Short-Term Rentals (Conduit Street)
Baltimore Holds Hearing on Short-Term Rental Regulation (Conduit Street)
