🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Bel Air, MD
Bel Air Puts STRs in Business Only, Ocean City Says No to Limits
Different Paths: Bel Air and Ocean City Split on STR Rules
The short-term rental (STR) debate is alive and well in Maryland, with Bel Air and Ocean City charting different courses on how rentals should be managed.
Bel Air commissioners are proposing a new ordinance that would formally redefine and regulate STRs. Their approach is straightforward: STRs should only be permitted in business districts. That move, according to Commissioner Steven Chizmar, is a step toward finding a balanced visitor economy — though his ultimate vision leans toward attracting a hotel or boutique stay option.
The proposed rules also come with new “performance standards.” These include requiring STR owners or caretakers to reside in Harford County, banning signage that advertises rentals, and obligating operators to secure a town license. The definition of STRs has also been clarified, with “28 continuous days or less” added as the threshold. The keyword “continuous” was included to close any loopholes that might create confusion.
A public hearing on Sept. 15 at Town Hall will give Bel Air residents and property owners the chance to weigh in before commissioners take final action.
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While Bel Air looks to tighten the reins, Ocean City just went through its own STR showdown — and the result was the opposite. Voters rejected a proposed ordinance that would have set strict minimum stays for rentals in residential zones: five nights starting this year and 31 nights by 2027.
The debate was heated. Advocates for the ordinance said the changes would preserve neighborhood quality of life by curbing the noise, trash, and crowding that can come with high-turnover rentals. Opponents pushed back, arguing the rules would damage Ocean City’s tourism-driven economy and limit homeowners’ rights to use their properties. When the ballots were counted, opponents carried the day, leaving residential STRs largely untouched.
The contrast is striking. Bel Air is pushing toward tighter regulations and a more controlled framework, while Ocean City has chosen to maintain the status quo, prioritizing tourism and property rights.
Both towns are wrestling with the same larger issue — how to strike a balance between welcoming visitors and protecting neighborhoods. The answers may look very different, but the conversation isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
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