Does Maryland's short-term rental fire safety law apply to stays of 30 days or more?
Quick answer
Only units offered for short stays are covered. Maryland's short-term rental fire safety subtitle applies only to a unit offered for short-term rental for less than 30 consecutive days (Public Safety 9-1102). If you only offer stays of 30 consecutive days or more, these state duties do not apply, but county and Baltimore City rules can still add their own measures (9-1106).
What does the law say? Key facts and official sources
| Item | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Effective | October 1, 2026 (HB 1221, Chapter 9 of 2026; cross-filed SB 624) | MGA bill page HB 1221 |
| Scope | The subtitle applies only to a short-term rental unit offered for short-term rental for less than 30 consecutive days (9-1102) | Public Safety 9-1102 |
| Definitions | "Short-term rental" and "short-term rental unit" have the meanings in Tax-General 11-101 (9-1101(d), (f)) | Public Safety 9-1101 |
| Duties if covered | Evacuation diagram, emergency numbers, working fire extinguisher, working smoke and CO alarms (9-1103(a)) | Public Safety 9-1103 |
| Local rules | The subtitle does not preempt county or Baltimore City measures in addition to the state rules (9-1106(2)); it does not require any county to allow short-term rentals (9-1106(1)) | Public Safety 9-1106 |
| Inspections | Annual county inspections by July 1, 2028, except where the county prohibits short-term rentals (9-1105(a), (b)) | Public Safety 9-1105 |
| Penalty | The subtitle (9-1101 to 9-1106) has no penalty section and states no dollar fine | Public Safety 9-1106 |
| Last verified | October 30, 2026 | Astor Ventures |
What if I offer both short and monthly stays?
The test in 9-1102 is whether the unit is offered for short-term rental for less than 30 consecutive days. If your listing allows stays under 30 nights, the unit is offered that way and the 9-1103 duties apply.
Where is "short-term rental" defined?
Section 9-1101 points to Tax-General 11-101 for the meaning of "short-term rental" and "short-term rental unit".
Do county rules still apply to longer stays?
The state subtitle does not stop a county or Baltimore City from adopting other short-term rental measures (9-1106(2)). Check your local code as well.
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What else do people ask?
When did this start?
October 1, 2026.
Is there a fine?
The subtitle states no dollar fine.
Do booking sites have duties too?
Yes. They must notify hosts of the rules and require compliance documentation for each unit (9-1104).
Is this legal advice?
No. General information only.
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