Centreville, Maryland Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

YES, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Centreville, MD and throughout Queen Anne's County. Queen Anne's County has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for short-term residential rentals through County Ordinance #24-09, which became effective on January 11, 2025. The county will begin accepting applications for annual zoning certificates starting October 1, 2025, marking the official launch of their permitted STR program.

Currently, there are approximately 181 short-term rental properties operating in Queen Anne's County, and the new ordinance aims to bring these existing operations into legal compliance while establishing clear regulatory oversight.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Centreville?

Centreville hosts earn a median $38,071/year with $285 ADR and 57% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $72,582+ per year.

See the full Centreville market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Centreville, MD

Starting an STR business in Centreville involves following Queen Anne's County's established regulatory process. The county has designed a streamlined application system with both online and in-person options to accommodate different applicant preferences.

Step 1: Property Eligibility Assessment

Before applying, ensure your property meets the basic requirements:

Property must be classified as a dwelling unit (not just a sleeping unit)
Dwelling units must include provisions for cooking, sanitation, and sleeping
Property must be located within Queen Anne's County (including Centreville)
Off-street parking must be available on-site

Step 2: Application Submission

Choose your preferred application method:

In-Person Application:

Complete the official Zoning Certificate Application form
Gather all required documents (see Required Documents section below)
Visit the Planning and Zoning Office during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM)

Online Application:

Use the Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal
Upload all required documents electronically
Submit application and fees through the secure online system

Step 3: Property Management Planning

Ensure property owner or designated manager is located within 25 miles of the property
Establish local management presence for guest services and emergency response
Develop operational procedures for guest check-in, maintenance, and issue resolution

Step 4: Initial Inspection Preparation

Schedule and complete the required initial inspection
Address any compliance issues identified during inspection
Obtain final inspection approval before beginning operations

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Required Documents:

Zoning Certificate Application - Official county form (available both online and in-person)
Short-Term Residential Worksheet - Detailed compliance worksheet with specific instructions
Property Documentation - Proof of ownership or legal right to operate
Site Plan/Parking Diagram - Showing on-site parking compliance
Manager Contact Information - Documentation of local management within 25-mile requirement

Permits and Licenses:

Annual Zoning Certificate - Required for all STR operations
Initial Inspection Certificate - Must be completed before operations begin
Hotel Tax Registration - Required through the Finance Office

Guidelines and Compliance Materials:

County Ordinance #24-09 (effective January 11, 2025)
Zoning regulations § 18:1-58.J
Short-Term Residential Worksheet instructions
Queen Anne's County Tax Portal registration for hotel tax

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

County-Level Regulations (Queen Anne's County):

Permitted Use Status:

STRs are permitted as a supplemental use in ALL zoning districts
Limited to dwelling units (not sleeping units)
Existing non-compliant properties have a grace period for compliance

Operational Requirements:

Manager Proximity: Property owner or manager must be located within 25 miles of the rental property
Parking: Off-street parking must be provided on-site
Inspection: Initial inspection required before operations begin
Certificate Renewal: Annual zoning certificate renewal required

Compliance and Monitoring:

County uses Granicus Host Compliance platform for STR identification and monitoring
24/7 complaint hotline operates specifically for STR-related issues
Properties identified through platform monitoring are subject to zoning certificate requirements

Tax Obligations:

Hotel tax registration and remittance required
Contact Finance Office for specific tax rates and reporting procedures

Municipal Context (Centreville):

Centreville operates under Queen Anne's County's unified zoning and permitting system. There are no separate city-specific regulations beyond the county framework, as Centreville is the county seat and follows county-wide standards.

State-Level Regulations (Maryland):

The provided content focuses on Queen Anne's County regulations. For state-level Maryland requirements (such as statewide hotel tax obligations, business licensing, or safety codes), investors should consult Maryland state agencies and regulations directly.

Contact Information for Local STR Authorities

Planning and Zoning Office (Primary STR Contact)

Address: 110 Vincit Street, Suite 104 Centreville, MD 21617

Phone: (410) 758-4088 Fax: (410) 758-3972

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Except holidays)

Key Personnel:

Vivian J. Swinson, Zoning Administrator
Email: vswinson@qac.org

Online Services:

Citizen Self Service Portal
Permit applications and tracking
Zoning information

Finance Office (Hotel Tax Inquiries)

Phone: (410) 758-0414 Email: Treasury@qac.org

Online Services:

Queen Anne's County Tax Portal
Hotel tax registration and payment

STR Complaint Hotline (24/7)

Phone: (667) 206-6958 Online: Queen Anne's County Complaint Hotline

Note: This hotline is exclusively for short-term rental complaints. For other zoning concerns, contact Planning and Zoning directly.

County Commissioners Office

Address: 107 N Liberty Street Centreville, MD 21617

Phone: (410) 758-4098 Fax: (410) 758-1170

Source Links and References

Official County Resources:

Short-Term Residential Rental Information - Main STR page with forms and procedures
County Ordinances - Ordinance #24-09 - Official ordinance text
Zoning Regulations § 18:1-58.J - Specific zoning code section
Citizen Self Service Portal - Online application system

Forms and Applications:

Zoning Certificate Application - Required application form
Short-Term Residential Worksheet - Compliance worksheet

Financial Resources:

Queen Anne's County Tax Portal - Hotel tax registration and payment
Building Fees - Permit and inspection fee schedules

Compliance and Enforcement:

Queen Anne's County Complaint Hotline - Online complaint filing
Issued Permits Reports - Permit tracking and reports

Additional County Services:

Fire Marshal Permitting Process - Fire safety requirements
Current Building Codes - Construction standards
Board of Building Appeals - Appeal processes

News and Updates:

Planning Commission STR Article - Background on ordinance development

This guide is based on information available as of the effective date of County Ordinance #24-09 (January 11, 2025). Investors should verify current requirements and contact authorities directly for the most up-to-date information before proceeding with STR operations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Centreville

Centreville, Maryland, is a small historic town that serves as the county seat of Queen Anne's County, located on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. With a population of approximately 4,500 residents, it has the quiet, traditional character of a mid-Atlantic county seat, with a compact historic downtown, tree-shaded streets, and well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture. Positioned about 70 to 80 miles east of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Centreville functions as a low-key gateway to the Eastern Shore's farmlands, waterways, and historic villages.

Just outside town in Wye Mills, Wye Oak State Park preserves the site where one of the largest white oak trees in the United States stood for more than four centuries before toppling in 2002. A descendant of the original tree has been planted nearby, and the site remains a small but meaningful stop for visitors interested in natural history. The park is roughly a ten-minute drive from the Centreville town center, along with the surrounding Wye Plantation lands that trace their roots to colonial-era estates.

South of Centreville along the Eastern Shore's scenic byways lies the historic waterfront town of St. Michaels, about a 30-minute drive. Known for its harbor, boutique inns, and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels draws visitors year-round and serves as a hub for boat tours, oyster industry exhibits, and seasonal events on the Miles River. The town has a reputation as one of the most photographed destinations on the Eastern Shore, with a working boatyard, a historic lighthouse, and a small downtown clustered around a central marina.

A short drive further south brings travelers to Easton, a larger town that functions as the cultural center of the mid-Shore. Its historic district features art galleries, the restored Avalon Theatre, and a stretch of restaurants and shops. Closer to Centreville, Tuckahoe State Park offers a wooded retreat for hiking, fishing, and paddling along the Choptank River watershed, with the park's main entrance a roughly 20-minute drive south of the town center.

Centreville's appeal as a short-term rental market rests on its combination of small-town tranquility and proximity to a wide variety of Eastern Shore experiences. Guests can spend a morning in Centreville's quiet historic core, an afternoon exploring St. Michaels' maritime heritage or Easton's arts scene, and evenings sampling regional cuisine without retracing their steps. With the Chesapeake Bay Bridge connecting the region to the Washington-Baltimore urban corridor in roughly 90 minutes to two hours, the town offers an easy escape into a slower, water-oriented way of life.