WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 993

Real Property - Short-Term Rentals

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marlon Amprey and 3 co-sponsors

Localities cannot ban short-term rentals solely because the operator is a lessee or sublessee, but may limit how many such rentals one lessee/sublessee can operate.

Second Reading Passed
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 993

Summary: HB 993 (2026) Real Property – Short-Term Rentals (Maryland)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to regulate short-term rentals (STRs) in Maryland while protecting the ability of lessees or sublessees to offer properties as STRs.
  • It prohibits counties and municipalities from enacting local prohibitions on offering a property as a short-term rental solely because the operator is a lessee or sublessee.
  • At the same time, it authorizes local governments to restrict STR activity by lessees or sublessees to prevent concentration of STRs (i.e., operating more than one STR within the jurisdiction).

Key definitions

  • “Operator” includes the proprietor of any dwelling, lodging, or sleeping accommodation offered as an STR, regardless of capacity (owner, lessee, sublessee, mortgagee in possession, licensee, etc.).
  • “Short-Term Rental” means a residential dwelling unit or portion (including an accessory dwelling) used to provide housing for less than 31 consecutive days.
  • STRs do not include traditional hotels, motels, boarding houses, certain student housing facilities, fraternities/sororities, or similar housing.

Main Provisions

  • Limited prohibition on bans based on lessee status (A)(2)(B)(1):
    • Counties or municipalities cannot pass local laws or ordinances prohibiting offering a property as an STR solely because the operator is a lessee or sublessee of the property.
  • Potential local cap on lessee/sublessee STRs (A)(2)(B)(2):
    • Local governments may enact local laws or ordinances prohibiting an operator who is a lessee or sublessee from operating more than one STR within the county or municipality.
  • Owner prerogative preserved (C):
    • Nothing in the section prohibits a property owner from prohibiting or limiting the use of the property by a lessee or sublessee as an STR.
    • Similarly, nothing prevents a county or municipal government from requiring an operator to register a short-term rental.

Who is affected

  • STR operators who are lessees or sublessees of properties.
  • Property owners who may lease out property or otherwise manage lessee/sublessee arrangements.
  • Local governments (counties and municipalities) that regulate STR activity. The bill grants them limited authority to restrict the number of STRs operated by a single lessee/sublessee, but not to bar STRs solely on the basis of lessee status.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: October 1, 2026.
  • The act amends the Real Property Code by adding Section 14-126.1.
  • The legislation includes standard savings: it does not preclude owner-imposed restrictions or required STR registration by localities.
  • Fiscal impact: No direct state or local budgetary effects anticipated; small business impact expected to be minimal due to the balance between protections for lessees and local regulatory flexibility.
  • Related measures: Mirror provisions exist in similar bill SB 666 (Judicial Proceedings) at the Senate level; prior related MD legislation has circulated in previous sessions (e.g., HB 705 of 2025).

Practical effect and interpretation

  • Localities cannot outright ban STRs solely because a lessee/sublessee operates them, which protects rental flexibility for tenants.
  • Localities may, however, limit the number of STRs operated by a single lessee/sublessee within their jurisdiction, potentially preventing mass-stripping of housing stock by one operator.
  • Property owners retain traditional rights to restrict STR use by tenants under existing leases or property covenants.
  • Registration of STRs remains a possible local requirement, as the bill does not prohibit registration.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Maryland law and a brief impact table for counties that already regulate STRs.

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

Sign in to ask a question.