🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Oxford, MD
Oxford Cracks Down on STRs: New Ordinance Proposes $1,000 Monthly Fines for Unlicensed Hosts
Licenses or Bust: Oxford Considers STR Penalty Overhaul
Oxford is sending a clear message to short-term rental owners: play by the rules, or pay up. At a recent meeting, Commissioner Dave Donovan revealed a striking gap in compliance—out of the town’s 35 to 44 short-term rental listings, only five are properly licensed. That revelation has city leaders ready to ramp up enforcement in a big way.
Currently, property owners who operate unlicensed rentals face daily fines of $100 to $200. But under a new ordinance up for consideration, those penalties could soar. Instead of daily fees, violators would face a $1,000 monthly fine, designed to bite harder and encourage compliance. What’s more, advertising a rental without a license would itself become a violation, forcing platforms and hosts to pull down unregistered listings.
Commissioner Donovan argued the changes aren’t just about penalties—they’re about restoring trust and order. By ensuring licenses are held only by “natural persons,” not corporate investors, the ordinance aims to preserve neighborhood integrity and keep large-scale operators from taking over the market. Donovan stressed that the shift would also help the city improve data collection, making enforcement more efficient and transparent.
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The timing couldn’t be more important. With platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo booming, communities like Oxford are working to strike the balance between welcoming visitors and protecting residents. Donovan and other leaders believe the current system doesn’t go far enough to keep things fair.
A public hearing is scheduled for October 28, giving residents a chance to weigh in. Neighbors fed up with party houses or absentee landlords may welcome the stricter measures, while some hosts may argue the fines are too steep. Either way, Oxford is showing it’s serious about getting its arms around the short-term rental market.
For locals, this isn’t just policy—it’s about the character of their town. With tighter enforcement on the table, the next chapter for Oxford’s STR scene could look very different.
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