The Anne Arundel County Government consists of Departments and Offices as well as Boards & Commissions. These entities work together to serve our Citizen's needs.
With almost 54,000 businesses, Anne Arundel County is a major hub of commerce and development. With a $35 billion economy, low taxes, a vast multi-modal transportation system, highly skilled workforce and excellent educational institutions, Anne Arundel County is the premier location to do business.
The Anne Arundel County Council passed Bill 88-19 and Bill 89-19 requiring the registration of short-term residential rentals and collection of an occupancy tax. The Bills are effective April 9, 2020. Any owner of a short-term residential rental is required to have an approved registration before renting.
"Short-term rental" means a facility that offers sleeping accommodations to the transient public for rent, including a hotel, motel, inn, bed and breakfast home, bed and breakfast inn, rooming house, as defined in § 18-1-101 of this Code, and short-term residential rentals. For purposes of this definition, "short-term residential rental" means the use or occupancy, facilitated by a hosting platform in exchange for rent, of all or part of a dwelling unit to provide accommodations to transient guests for no more than 120 consecutive days in a calendar year.
Anyone who uses a hosting platform to lease the use or occupancy, in exchange for rent, of all or part of a dwelling unit to provide accommodations to transient guests for no more than 120 consecutive days in a calendar year. A “hosting platform” is an internet based entity that in exchange for rent, facilitates reservations and booking transactions of short-term residential rentals, such as Airbnb, HomeAway or VRBO.
Are there any limits on the number of registrations?
Yes. A host may not register more than two dwelling units as short term residential rentals. If a dwelling is owned by a business entity, any individual or other business entity with an ownership or financial interest in that business entity shall be considered as a host and the registration will count toward this limit.
Am I allowed to rent my dwelling as a short term residential rental without a registration?
No, as of April 9, 2020, all short term residential rentals are required to be registered with the County before entering into a rental agreement.
What does a registration entail?
Complete application, disclosure of all owners of property and acknowledgement of all requirements, prohibitions and safety criteria.
Short-term residential rental registration fee is $400 for two years and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Registration number must be clearly posted in rental units and listing for property on hosting platform website.
Must be current on all taxes, fines and fees owed to Anne Arundel County.
What else is required and prohibited under registration?
No inspections are required as part of this registration process. An extensive list of safety criteria is provided on the application. As the owner it is important that all safety concerns be addressed prior to renting your property. All hosts should refer to the County Law for an exhaustive list of host requirements.
Short term residential rentals are also subject to the County’s use or occupancy tax. For more information, see please call the Office of Finance at (410) 222-1739.
What happens to Short-term residential rentals that are currently unregistered?
The legislation is in effect as of April 9, 2020. There will be a reasonable grace period for owners to come into compliance. After that point, the owner of a dwelling who rents or uses a short term residential rental without a registration or in violation of the County Code is subject to legal enforcement action by the County, to include imposition of a fine of up to $500 for the first violation and $1,000 for any subsequent violation.
How long does a registration last?
Each registration has a two year term.
How do I register?
Currently, during the Covid 19 State of Emergency, applications, supporting documents and fees may only be submitted by mail. Payment cannot be made online.
Our office is currently closed to the public. When that is no longer the case, application submission and payment options will change. Check this page for updates on application submission options, application and instructions.
Currently during the Covid-19 State of Emergency, applications, supporting documents and fees may only be submitted by mail. Payment cannot be made online.
2. Submit the completed application along with a check made payable to Anne Arundel County. Mail to "Licensing" Department of Inspections and Permits
at 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD. 21401.
