Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Bel Air, MD?

Yes, short-term rentals are now allowed in Bel Air, Maryland as of the passage of Ordinance 846-25 in 2025. However, there are important restrictions and requirements that investors must understand before proceeding:

• Allowed Zoning Districts: Short-term rentals are currently permitted only in business zoning districts (B-1, B-2, B-2A, B-3, B-3A, and M-1)
• Prohibited in Residential Districts: STRs are not permitted in residential zoning districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-O)
• License Required: A Town of Bel Air license is mandatory for all STR operations
• Location Restriction: The owner or caretaker must be located within Harford County

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Bel Air

Step 1: Property Zoning Verification

First, confirm that your property is located in one of the permitted business zoning districts:

• B-1: Neighborhood Business District
• B-2: Community Business District
• B-2A: Limited Business District
• B-3: General Business District
• B-3A: General Business Gateway District
• M-1: Light Industrial District (with commercial/office components)

Important: If your property is in a residential district (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-O), you cannot legally operate a short-term rental under current regulations.

Step 2: License Application Process

1. Obtain a Short-Term Rental License from the Town of Bel Air
2. Pay the annual operating fee (amount to be determined by town fee schedule)
3. Submit all required documentation (see below)
4. Undergo fire code inspection
5. Submit tax application to the town

Step 3: Ongoing Compliance Requirements

• Maintain valid insurance coverage
• Provide updated owner contact information to the town
• Accept unannounced inspections
• Comply with all license agreement terms
• Pay annual license renewal fees

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Mandatory Documentation:

1. Town of Bel Air Short-Term Rental License Application
2. Proof of Insurance (liability coverage meeting town requirements)
3. Fire Code Inspection Report (completed by qualified inspector)
4. Tax Application (filed with town tax authority)
5. Owner Contact Information (must be within Harford County)
6. Business Registration (if applicable)

Performance Standards Compliance:

• No Signage: Absolutely no signage related to the STR use is permitted on the property
• Owner/Caretaker Presence: Owner or caretaker must reside within Harford County
• Occupancy Limits: Standard residential occupancy limits apply (typically 1 person per 220 sq ft of habitable space)
• Property Maintenance: Must maintain residential appearance and neighborhood compatibility

Guidelines (Considered but not mandatory):

• Adequate parking provision and buffering
• Clear rental criteria and operating information
• Proper structure capacity and location considerations

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of Bel Air (Current STR Regulations):

Definition: Short-term rental is defined as "A residential home unit or an accessory building available for rent on a temporary basis for 28 continuous 30 days or less."

Key Requirements:

• STRs permitted only in business districts (B-1, B-2, B-2A, B-3, B-3A, M-1)
• Town license required with annual fees
• Fire code inspection mandatory
• Proof of insurance required
• No signage permitted
• Owner/caretaker must be Harford County resident
• Subject to unannounced inspections
• License can be revoked for violations
• Must comply with performance standards

Harford County (No Additional STR Regulations):

Based on available information, Harford County does not appear to have additional short-term rental regulations beyond the town level. The county's primary STR requirement is that the owner/caretaker must be located within Harford County boundaries.

State of Maryland (No Specific STR State Regulations):

Maryland does not have state-level short-term rental regulations. STR operations are governed solely by local municipalities like Bel Air, which have zoning and licensing authority.

Contact Information for Local STR Authority

Town of Bel Air - Planning Department

• Phone: 410-638-4550
• Address: 39 N Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Website: belairmd.org
• Specific Department: Planning and Zoning (contact main number for routing)

Key Contacts:

• Planning Commission (for zoning matters)
• Town Clerk (for license applications)
• Building Department (for inspections)

Source Links

1. Ordinance 846-25 (Primary Source): belairmd.org/DocumentCenter/View/7062/Ordinance-846-25-Short-Term-Rentals-Amendments?bidId=&ref=writing.strisker.com

2. Town Legislation Page (All Ordinances): belairmd.org/213/Legislation

3. Planning Commission Letter (Supporting Document): belairmd.org/DocumentCenter/View/7066

4. Economic and Community Development Commission Letter (Supporting Document): belairmd.org/DocumentCenter/View/7067

Important Considerations for STR Investors

• Current Market Limitation: The restriction to business districts only significantly limits the available property inventory for STR investments in Bel Air
• No Residential Options: Unlike many municipalities that allow STRs in residential areas with restrictions, Bel Air currently prohibits STRs in residential zones entirely
• Strong Enforcement Framework: The town has established robust enforcement mechanisms including unannounced inspections and license revocation authority
• Community Impact Focus: The ordinance emphasizes protecting neighborhood character and requiring local oversight through the Harford County residency requirement

This represents a significant policy shift from the previous prohibition to a regulated, limited STR market focused on commercial districts. Investors should carefully evaluate the limited zoning options and compliance requirements before making investment decisions.