Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Columbia, MD

Airbnb listings are allowed in Columbia, MD, but with restrictions. Howard County requires a rental housing license for any dwelling unit not occupied solely by the owner or owner’s immediate family; licensed units must meet the Howard County Property Maintenance Code for Rental Housing and are subject to inspection. No specific county-wide minimum-night stays, occupancy caps, or host-presence requirements for short-term rentals were identified. 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.

Howard County requires a rental housing license for any dwelling unit not occupied solely by the owner or owner’s immediate family; licensed units must meet the Howard County Property Maintenance Code for Rental Housing and are subject to inspection. No specific county-wide minimum-night stays, occupancy caps, or host-presence requirements for short-term rentals were identified.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Columbia. 1) Submit a Rental Housing License application via Maryland OneStop or the county portal including property/owner details and HOA fee certification; 2) Pay the application fee ($20.00–$93.50); 3) Pass a mandatory inspection by the Director or designee for compliance with the Property Maintenance Code. Licenses are renewed biennially.

1) Submit a Rental Housing License application via Maryland OneStop or the county portal including property/owner details and HOA fee certification; 2) Pay the application fee ($20.00–$93.50); 3) Pass a mandatory inspection by the Director or designee for compliance with the Property Maintenance Code. Licenses are renewed biennially.

Vrbo is permitted in Columbia, 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 Columbia 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 Columbia. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.