Rockville Mayor and Council to Consider Regulations for Short-Term and Residential Room Rentals

The Mayor and Council will meet Monday, March 6 and further discuss whether to initiate a public review that could lead to regulating short-term rentals in the city, such as AirBnB and VRBO, as well as the rental of rooms within a residence.

The intent of the proposed changes is to clarify when short-term rentals are permitted. Proposed conditions include limitations on the number of days per year that a unit may be rented and the number of rental unit guests. The public review process would be initiated if the Mayor and Council introduce the draft ordinances.

Should the regulations be adopted, landlords would be required to register units with the city and be subject to the city’s hotel tax. The city’s zoning ordinance allows up to two people to occupy a dwelling in addition to the resident family. This has been interpreted to permit up to two rooms to be rented to individuals who are not family members. At present, there are no requirements related to safety inspections, or for such rentals to be subject to the city’s landlord-tenant ordinance. The proposed regulations would require that rental of rooms be licensed and subject to regular inspection, as the rental of residences are currently.

Draft versions of the city code and zoning ordinance amendments will be available as part of the Mayor and Council agenda packet for the March 6 meeting, when posted, at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter. For more information, contact Jim Wasilak, zoning administrator, at 240-314-8211 or by email at [email protected].