Annapolis, MD, Significantly Raises Fine for STR Violations

10/6/2026

The Annapolis, Maryland, City Council voted to raise the maximum fine for short-term rental violations from $1,000 to $5,000, effective immediately. The increase follows years of efforts to regulate rentals, including a one-year moratorium on new STR licenses enacted in March and a rule limiting licensed rentals to 10% of homes on a city block. City officials say the higher penalty is intended to deter operators who knowingly run unlicensed rentals, while allowing staff discretion based on the severity of violations. Since the moratorium began March 9, the city has recorded 59 code violation cases involving unlicensed rentals. As of September 29, Annapolis had 376 licensed STRs, including some reserved for major citywide events. A city report previously estimated that only about half of the roughly 560 STRs were properly licensed.

The Baltimore Banner (MD) (09/29/26) Cody Boteler

Why It Matters: Raising the maximum fine to $5,000 significantly increases the consequences of operating without a license. It is another sign that Annapolis is moving toward stricter STR enforcement.