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SB 624

Public Safety - Short-Term Rental Units - Safety (Jillian and Lindsay Wiener Short-Term Rental Safety Act)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Feldman

Maryland bill mandates fire safety standards and inspections for short-term rental units to prevent fire hazards and protect guest safety.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 10
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Bill Summary · SB 624

Legislative bill overview

SB 624 establishes fire safety requirements specifically for short-term rental units in Maryland, named after Jillian and Lindsay Wiener. The bill mandates safety standards, inspections, and compliance measures for properties rented for brief periods to protect guests and prevent fire-related incidents.

Why is this important

Short-term rentals (like Airbnb properties) often operate with fewer regulatory oversight requirements than traditional hotels, creating potential fire safety gaps. Fatal fires in rental properties have highlighted vulnerabilities, making standardized fire safety codes for these units a public health concern affecting both guests and neighboring properties.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory burden on small landlords: Compliance costs and inspection requirements may disproportionately affect individual property owners versus large rental platforms
  • Definition and enforcement scope: Unclear which properties qualify as "short-term rentals" and how violations will be enforced across multiple jurisdictions
  • Market impact on housing availability: Increased regulations could reduce the number of available short-term rentals, affecting tourism-dependent communities and property owner income

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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