Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Garrett County, MD

Airbnb listings are allowed in Garrett County, MD, but with restrictions. STRs (TVRUs) are restricted to the Deep Creek Lake Watershed Zoning District with a maximum of 8 bedrooms and occupancy limited to two persons per bedroom plus four additional guests. Requirements include bear-proof trash containers, compliance with Health Department rules for water/sewage and pools, and parking per zoning ordinances. 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.

STRs (TVRUs) are restricted to the Deep Creek Lake Watershed Zoning District with a maximum of 8 bedrooms and occupancy limited to two persons per bedroom plus four additional guests. Requirements include bear-proof trash containers, compliance with Health Department rules for water/sewage and pools, and parking per zoning ordinances.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Garrett County. 1) Submit a TVRU application and $50 registration fee to the Licensing Technician. 2) Obtain a Zoning Permit ($50) and Garrett County Health Department approval ($150 fee), which includes a safety inspection. 3) Pay the biennial license fee ($200) via cash or check to receive the license; renewals occur every two years.

1) Submit a TVRU application and $50 registration fee to the Licensing Technician. 2) Obtain a Zoning Permit ($50) and Garrett County Health Department approval ($150 fee), which includes a safety inspection. 3) Pay the biennial license fee ($200) via cash or check to receive the license; renewals occur every two years.

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