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Laurel, MD

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STR Regulations for Laurel, Maryland

Overview

Short-term rentals are allowed in Laurel, MD. The city operates a residential rental licensing program that covers all rental units, including short-term rentals, provided they meet minimum property maintenance standards and obtain proper licensing. Properties must comply with the International Property Maintenance Code and undergo regular inspections.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Laurel?

Laurel hosts earn a median $18,090/year with $151 ADR and 52% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $34,154+ per year.

See the full Laurel market breakdown

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

Step 1: Determine Licensing Authority

Step 2: Complete the Licensing Process

  1. Submit Application: Complete and submit the Residential Rental License Application, signed by the property owner
  2. Pay Fees: Submit the $40.00 annual license fee per unit
  3. Initial Inspection: For new applicants, an initial inspection is required (scheduled by staff after application submission)
  4. Zoning Review: All permits are subject to zoning review and approval

Step 3: Ongoing Compliance

  • Re-inspection Schedule: Properties with less than 12 units must be re-inspected every three years
  • Property Standards: Maintain compliance with International Property Maintenance Code standards
  • Code Violations: Address any correction orders within specified timeframes

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Laurel Requirements

  • Residential Rental License Application (required PDF form)
  • Annual License Fee: $40.00 per unit (all structure types)
  • Property Owner Signature: Application must be signed by the property owner
  • Initial Inspection: Mandatory for new applicants
  • Zoning Approval: Required for all rental licenses

State of Maryland Requirements

Based on the provided content, Maryland has additional requirements for rental properties:

  • Lead Paint Compliance: Residential rental properties must comply with Maryland's Lead Law
    • Lead Law Compliance Checklist required
    • Fact sheets and legal documentation available through MDE
    • Applies to properties built before 1978

County-Level Requirements (If Applicable)

Prince George's County also provides resources for rental housing:

  • Momentum Portal: Online application system for rental licenses
  • Enforcement Division: Administers single-family, multifamily, and short-term rental licenses
  • Additional Inspections: May be required for properties under county jurisdiction

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of Laurel Regulations

  • Scope: All rental units including hotels, motels, multi-family, single-family detached, townhouses, condominiums, apartment units above/below businesses, and individual rooms rented to non-blood relatives
  • Standards: International Property Maintenance Code governs property maintenance
  • Inspection Cycles:
    • Properties with <12 units: Re-inspected every three years
    • Properties with 12-59 units: Minimum 65% of units inspected every three years
    • Properties with 60+ units: May require annual inspection at Chief Building Official's discretion
  • Extensions: One-year inspection extension may be granted if no fire/life safety violations are found

Prince George's County Regulations (for non-municipal properties)

  • Short-Term Rental Licenses: Administered by DPIE's Enforcement Division
  • Platform Requirements: Separate licensing for short-term rental platforms
  • Jurisdiction Exceptions: Certain municipalities handle their own licensing

State of Maryland Regulations

  • Lead Paint Law: Applies to rental properties built before 1978
  • Environmental Requirements: MDE oversight for environmental compliance
  • Local Government Article: State regulations governing local government rental requirements

Contact Information

City of Laurel

Department: Fire Marshal and Permit Services
Contact: Joseph R. Robison
Address: Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel, MD 20707
Phone: 301-725-5300
Standard Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Inspection Scheduling: 301-725-5300, ext. 2238
Website: www.cityoflaurel.org

Prince George's County

Department: Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE)
Contact: Contact DPIE portal
Address: Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, 1301 McCormick Drive, Largo, MD 20774
Email: Contact through DPIE portal
Momentum Portal: momentumhome.princegeorgescountymd.gov

Additional Resources

Landlord/Tenant Issues: Prince George's County Landlord/Tenant Office
Phone: 301-699-2789

Source Pages

Important Notes for Investors:

  • Always verify current requirements with official government sources
  • Regulations may change; staying updated through official channels is essential
  • Consider professional legal consultation for complex compliance questions
  • Budget for ongoing inspection and maintenance costs in your investment projections

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Laurel

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
5/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Laurel Market Analysis

Photos of Laurel

Overview of Laurel

Laurel, Maryland is a small city straddling Prince George's County, with portions extending into Howard and Anne Arundel counties. With a population of roughly 25,000 to 30,000, the city has a long-established suburban character, rooted in a 19th-century mill-town past and reshaped today by its position as a commuter hub in the Baltimore–Washington corridor. Laurel is best known locally for its historic Main Street district, its horse-racing track, and its proximity to large federal employers, and it serves as a convenient base for visitors exploring both the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore regions, lying roughly twenty miles northeast of the capital and about twenty miles southwest of Baltimore.

Just a few minutes south of the city center, the Patuxent Research Refuge offers one of the area's most distinctive outdoor experiences. Established in 1936, it is one of the oldest national wildlife refuges in the United States and protects more than 12,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and meadows along the Patuxent River. The refuge's National Wildlife Visitor Center, located in Laurel, features hiking trails, observation points, and exhibits on Mid-Atlantic ecosystems, making it an easy nature escape within minutes of town.

A short drive west, near the National Security Agency campus in Annapolis Junction, the National Cryptologic Museum traces the history of American code-making and code-breaking. Operated by the NSA and the Cryptologic History office, the museum displays historic cipher machines, Cold War artifacts, and exhibits on figures such as the Enigma and the Navajo code talkers, offering a uniquely specialized stop that draws visitors interested in intelligence history and twentieth-century espionage.

In the heart of the city, the [Laurel Historic District](en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_Historic_District_(Laurel,_Maryland) preserves a walkable stretch of nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century commercial and residential architecture, anchored by Main Street's brick storefronts, old factory buildings, and the surviving Patuxent River mill works. The Laurel Museum, housed in a former mill worker's home, interprets the city's industrial and railroad heritage, while nearby restaurants and small shops give the district a relaxed, small-town feel that contrasts with the larger suburbs surrounding it.

Just across the Patuxent River, the historic textile mill complex of Savage, Maryland, has been converted into a destination of galleries, antique dealers, specialty shops, and restaurants set inside original 19th-century stone buildings, complementing Laurel's own heritage offerings.

For short-term rental owners, Laurel's appeal lies in this balance of affordability, accessibility, and variety. Its position between two major metropolitan areas, its links to federal employment, defense, and racing tourism, and its collection of nearby outdoor, historical, and cultural destinations give it a steady and diverse base of potential guests, while the city's smaller scale keeps the experience distinctly local.

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