Member Login | Become a Member
Maryland Hotel Lodging Association
  • Who We Are
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Committees
    • Contact
  • Membership
    • Join
    • Exclusive Member Resources
  • Advocacy
    • State & Local Advocacy
    • Federal Advocacy
  • News
  • Events
    • Events Gallery
    • MHLA Golf Outing
    • Stars of the Industry Awards >
      • Event Registration
    • Annual Meeting
    • Member Appreciation Breakfast
  • Resources
    • Exclusive Member Resources >
      • Lodging Directory
      • Allied Directory
      • Legislative Alerts & Reports
      • Compliance & Operational Resources
      • Human Trafficking Prevention
      • Statistics & Research
    • COVID-19 Resources >
      • AHLA Safe Stay Program
    • Maryland Tourism Education Foundation
    • American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
    • Human Trafficking Prevention Training
    • Lodging Career Pathways
    • ERC Support Center
  • Who We Are
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Committees
    • Contact
  • Membership
    • Join
    • Exclusive Member Resources
  • Advocacy
    • State & Local Advocacy
    • Federal Advocacy
  • News
  • Events
    • Events Gallery
    • MHLA Golf Outing
    • Stars of the Industry Awards >
      • Event Registration
    • Annual Meeting
    • Member Appreciation Breakfast
  • Resources
    • Exclusive Member Resources >
      • Lodging Directory
      • Allied Directory
      • Legislative Alerts & Reports
      • Compliance & Operational Resources
      • Human Trafficking Prevention
      • Statistics & Research
    • COVID-19 Resources >
      • AHLA Safe Stay Program
    • Maryland Tourism Education Foundation
    • American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
    • Human Trafficking Prevention Training
    • Lodging Career Pathways
    • ERC Support Center

News

Baltimore City Council passes Short-term Rental Regulations

12/6/2018

 
Legislative Update – December 6, 2018
Baltimore City is the latest Maryland jurisdiction to pass legislation establishing a comprehensive framework to regulate short-term rental (STR) hosts and platforms.
“We applaud lead sponsors Council President Jack Young and Councilman Eric Costello, and the entire Baltimore City Council for passing this important legislation,” said Amy Rohrer, President and CEO of the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association. “We believe this legislation strikes the right balance between preserving home-sharing for Baltimore guests and residents and protecting Baltimore’s hospitality industry from those investors who skirt the law and use short term rental platforms to operate illegal hotels throughout the city.  The legislation preserves the fabric of Baltimore’s neighborhoods, protects guests and our communities, and ensures that hosts and platforms pay their fair share.” 
Baltimore City Bill 18-0189 will establish the following:
  • A host may list only their primary residence.   This ensures that real estate speculators or “illegal hotel” operators will not exploit STR platforms.
  • One unit may be grandfathered in by an individual meeting certain criteria and owning / operating a short-term rental prior to December 31, 2018.
  • Each host must have a license from the City, and pay $200 to renew it bi-annually. The licensing framework includes processes to suspend or revoke licenses and/or issue fines up to $500 for violations by hosts.
  • Hosts must follow basic rules  in order to operate. They must be in compliance with city building, fire and related codes, keep record of all rentals, and designate / post an emergency contact in the unit.   They must be registered with the State Comptroller for collection of state sales tax and display their license number in listings advertising the rental.
  • Platforms may not collect fees for rooms booked on behalf of unlicensed hosts and may be subject to fines of $1,000 for violations of this provision.
  • Platforms must collect and remit applicable hotel taxes and keep records, available to the Housing Commissioner upon request, including a complete listing of all properties listed on the platform and the total number of nights / fees charged each time the unit was rented. 

​It is worth noting this legislation has very strong platform accountability language that should withstand potential legal challenges by the platforms that have arisen in other jurisdictions.
Pending signature by the Mayor, collection and remittance of the hotel tax is scheduled to take effect December 31, 2018, with all other licensing requirements taking effect December 31, 2019.

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017

20 Ridgely Ave., Suite 309, Annapolis, MD 21401 • Phone: (410) 974-4472 • Email: mhla@MDLodging.org
Copyright Maryland Hotel Lodging Association All Rights Reserved.
Picture