Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Ellicott City, MD

Airbnb listings are allowed in Ellicott City, MD, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are defined as dwellings or portions thereof rented for less than 30 consecutive days. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are expressly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals. All rental properties must comply with the Howard County Property Maintenance Code. 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 defined as dwellings or portions thereof rented for less than 30 consecutive days. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are expressly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals. All rental properties must comply with the Howard County Property Maintenance Code.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Ellicott City. 1. Complete the online Rental Housing License application via the Howard County portal and pay the application fee ($20.00–$93.50). 2. Schedule and pass an inspection by the Director to ensure the unit meets the Howard County Property Maintenance Code. 3. Receive the license, which must be renewed every two years with updated information.

1. Complete the online Rental Housing License application via the Howard County portal and pay the application fee ($20.00–$93.50). 2. Schedule and pass an inspection by the Director to ensure the unit meets the Howard County Property Maintenance Code. 3. Receive the license, which must be renewed every two years with updated information.

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