🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Ocean City, MD
Could a New Law Wipe Out Ocean City’s STR Scene?
A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.
Could a New Law Wipe Out Ocean City’s STR Scene?
Ocean City’s summer tourism may be heating up, but for local short-term rental (STR) owners, the forecast ahead is looking uncertain.
While May brought a welcome surge in bookings—thanks to a jam-packed calendar of concerts and events—things have started to cool. Hotels and STRs alike are feeling the slowdown.
Keith Whisenant, general manager of the Residence Inn, described May as “the best they’ve ever had,” but noted that June underperformed, and July seems to be drifting behind last year’s numbers.
The STR market is also lagging. John Magathan, owner of BluVista Vacation Rentals, confirmed that vacation rental bookings are following the same pattern. The average stay is now dipping below four nights, reflecting tighter guest budgets and shorter getaways.
But the real storm on the horizon? A July 22 referendum that could drastically reshape the STR landscape in Ocean City.
If passed, the measure would require a minimum five-night stay for STRs in residential and mobile home neighborhoods. And by 2027, that minimum would jump to 31 nights—essentially banning short-term vacation rentals in many parts of town.
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Magathan didn’t mince words: “The new rules could eliminate nearly all vacation rentals in affected areas.” And while that’s bad news for STR operators, some hotels see it differently. Whisenant admitted the change could boost hotel bookings by sidelining competition: “You’re filtering out a whole other layer of customer.”
The potential changes have sparked passionate debate throughout the community. Supporters argue the restrictions will help preserve neighborhood character and reduce noise and traffic. Opponents warn it could crush Ocean City’s vacation rental economy, leaving property owners in a bind and tourists with fewer choices.
With the special vote just around the corner, STR operators are watching closely—and bracing for impact. The outcome of this one-day decision could shape the city’s rental future for years to come.
Ocean City voters will cast their ballots at the Convention Center on July 22. Whether the town chooses to limit rentals or keep the current system, the ripple effects will be felt by residents, property managers, and travelers alike.
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