Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Cambridge, MD

Airbnb listings are allowed in Cambridge, MD, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are permitted under City of Cambridge Ordinance No. 1204 but are regulated by permit and classified as Type 1 (owner/operator-occupied) or Type 2 (non-owner-occupied). Operators must provide a 24-hour local emergency agent, comply with occupancy limits based on bedrooms and applicable City/State codes, collect and remit a 5% hotel/occupancy tax to Dorchester County, follow parking, noise and trash rules, and may be subject to permit caps by resolution; permits expire after three years and may be revoked for repeated violations. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals are permitted under City of Cambridge Ordinance No. 1204 but are regulated by permit and classified as Type 1 (owner/operator-occupied) or Type 2 (non-owner-occupied). Operators must provide a 24-hour local emergency agent, comply with occupancy limits based on bedrooms and applicable City/State codes, collect and remit a 5% hotel/occupancy tax to Dorchester County, follow parking, noise and trash rules, and may be subject to permit caps by resolution; permits expire after three years and may be revoked for repeated violations.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Cambridge. 1) Submit the City’s online Short-Term Rental application (only online) with required attachments (floor plan/site plan, house rules, sample lease, contact info) and pay the application fee ($100 for owner-occupied Type 1; $200 for non-owner-occupied Type 2). 2) Provide a 24-hour local agent contact, attest to required safety devices/insurance, and cure any outstanding city violations before permit issuance. 3) Renew the permit within three months prior to expiration (permits valid three years); renewal fees are stated in the ordinance (e.g., $100 renewal fee noted for Type 1 in the ordinance).

1) Submit the City’s online Short-Term Rental application (only online) with required attachments (floor plan/site plan, house rules, sample lease, contact info) and pay the application fee ($100 for owner-occupied Type 1; $200 for non-owner-occupied Type 2). 2) Provide a 24-hour local agent contact, attest to required safety devices/insurance, and cure any outstanding city violations before permit issuance. 3) Renew the permit within three months prior to expiration (permits valid three years); renewal fees are stated in the ordinance (e.g., $100 renewal fee noted for Type 1 in the ordinance).

Vrbo is permitted in Cambridge, MD under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Cambridge are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Cambridge. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.