Lexington Park, Maryland Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Lexington Park, Maryland, but they are subject to comprehensive regulations at the county level. Lexington Park is an unincorporated community within St. Mary's County, making county regulations the governing framework for short-term rental operations. The county has established a structured regulatory environment that permits STRs while ensuring compliance with zoning, safety, and taxation requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Lexington Park?

Lexington Park hosts earn a median $25,328/year with $150 ADR and 65% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $34,664+ per year.

See the full Lexington Park market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Lexington Park

Step 1: Understand the Regulatory Environment

Before investing, conduct thorough due diligence on your property's zoning classification. St. Mary's County operates under a comprehensive zoning ordinance that governs land use throughout unincorporated areas, including Lexington Park. Your property's zoning district will determine whether short-term rentals are permitted as a principal use, conditional use, or require special approvals.

Step 2: Secure Proper Licensing

All short-term rental properties must obtain a Rental License from the St. Mary's County Department of Land Use and Growth Management. This is a mandatory requirement before operating any STR. The licensing process ensures compliance with local regulations and safety standards.

Step 3: Pass Required Inspections

Properties must successfully complete a Rental Housing Inspection administered by county officials. This inspection verifies that the property meets safety, livability, and code compliance standards required for rental operations.

Step 4: Establish Tax Collection Systems

Implement systems to collect and remit the 5% Accommodation Tax from all guests. This tax funds tourism promotion activities within the county and must be properly calculated, collected, and submitted according to county requirements.

Step 5: Ensure Zoning Compliance

Verify that your intended STR use complies with the specific zoning requirements for your property. Zoning regulations may limit the ability to rent certain properties or parts of properties, and non-compliance can result in enforcement actions.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Licensing and Permits

Rental License - Required from St. Mary's County Department of Land Use and Growth Management
Rental Housing Inspection - Must be passed before receiving license
Zoning Permit - May be required depending on property classification and intended use
Building Permits - Required for any construction, renovation, or structural modifications
Certificate of Occupancy - Required before legal operation, issued after construction completion and inspection

Documentation Requirements

Property ownership verification
Health Department certificates for water supply and sewage disposal (or Metropolitan Commission certification for public systems)
Plot plan showing property boundaries, structures, parking, and setbacks
Tax map information (grid-parcel-lot numbers)
Compliance with environmental regulations if applicable
Erosion and sediment control approval from Soil Conservation District
Fire Marshal approval if required

Tax and Financial Requirements

Accommodation Tax collection system (5% rate)
Revenue reporting mechanisms
Payment processing capabilities for tax remittance

Specific Regulations by Level

County-Level Regulations (St. Mary's County)

Zoning Compliance

Properties must comply with the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
Short-term rentals are subject to the same dimensional requirements as other rental properties
Setbacks, lot coverage, height restrictions, and density limitations apply
Special overlay districts (Critical Area, Historic Districts, AICUZ) may impose additional restrictions

Licensing and Inspection Requirements

Mandatory Rental License for all short-term rental properties
Rental Housing Inspection required before license issuance
Ongoing compliance monitoring and potential re-inspection requirements
Administrative variance processes available for certain dimensional relief

Taxation and Revenue

5% Accommodation Tax collection and remittance required
Funds directed toward tourism promotion activities
Regular reporting and payment schedules apply

Enforcement and Penalties

Violation enforcement through Department of Land Use and Growth Management
Civil citations and penalties for non-compliance
Stop work orders for ongoing violations
Zoning permit suspension for non-compliant properties

State-Level Regulations (Maryland)

While specific state-level STR regulations are not detailed in the provided content, Maryland state law provides the foundational authority for local zoning and development regulations through Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This framework grants counties the authority to regulate land use, including short-term rental operations.

City-Specific Regulations

As Lexington Park is an unincorporated community, there are no separate city-level regulations. All governance occurs at the county level through St. Mary's County ordinances and the comprehensive zoning framework.

Critical Operational Requirements

Ongoing Compliance Obligations

Maintain valid rental license status
Ensure continuous compliance with housing standards
Timely accommodation tax collection and remittance
Respond to county inspections and compliance requests
Maintain property standards that meet or exceed initial inspection requirements

Seasonal Considerations

The Lexington Park market experiences significant seasonal variation, with peak demand from late spring through summer months. This seasonality affects:

Occupancy rates and pricing strategies
Maintenance scheduling requirements
Tax revenue timing
Market demand patterns for different guest demographics

Unique Market Factors

Proximity to Patuxent River Naval Air Station creates consistent demand from military personnel and contractors
Tourism driven by outdoor recreational activities, historical attractions, and water sports
Mix of leisure and business travelers requiring flexible accommodation offerings

Contact Information

Primary Regulatory Authority

St. Mary's County Department of Land Use and Growth Management

Address: 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
Role: Primary authority for zoning permits, rental licenses, inspections, and enforcement
Services: Zoning administration, development approvals, licensing, inspection services

Related County Departments

Planning Commission: Handles zoning amendments and comprehensive planning
Board of Appeals: Processes variances and conditional use applications
Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC): Reviews development proposals
Permits and Inspections: Administers building permits and code compliance

State-Level Resources

Maryland Department of the Environment: Environmental compliance requirements
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission: Critical area development oversight
State Highway Administration: Entrance permits and transportation impacts

Sources and Additional Resources

Summer - Vacation Rental Management in Lexington Park, Maryland - Comprehensive market overview and regulatory summary
St. Mary's County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance - Complete zoning framework and development regulations

Important Note for Investors: This regulatory framework represents a structured approach to short-term rental operations within St. Mary's County. Success in this market requires proactive compliance management, understanding of local market dynamics driven by the naval base and seasonal tourism, and maintaining high property standards to compete effectively. The regulatory environment is designed to ensure neighborhood compatibility while allowing legitimate business operations, making Lexington Park a viable STR market for compliant operators.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Lexington Park

Lexington Park is an unincorporated census-designated place in St. Mary's County, in the southern part of Maryland, with a population of roughly 12,000 residents. The community has a distinctly military-influenced character, shaped largely by its proximity to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, the Navy's primary center for aviation research, development, and testing. Beyond that role, Lexington Park functions as a commercial hub for southern St. Mary's County and a practical gateway for visitors exploring the Chesapeake Bay's lower western shore. It sits about 65 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., and roughly 80 miles south of Baltimore, making it accessible from the major Mid-Atlantic population centers while retaining a quieter, suburban-rural feel.

A short drive east of Lexington Park brings visitors to the waterfront town of Solomons Island and the Calvert Marine Museum, a regional museum on the Patuxent River that showcases the maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay, the fossil-rich cliffs of the Calvert Cliffs, and a working exhibit on the state's maritime heritage. The museum is roughly 15 minutes from Lexington Park and is a popular stop for families and day-trippers exploring the bay area.

Further south, at the very tip of the Maryland peninsula where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay, Point Lookout State Park offers beaches, fishing piers, and a Civil War-era lighthouse. About a 45-minute drive from Lexington Park, the park is best known for the preserved remains of the Union hospital and prison camp that once occupied the site during the Civil War, giving it a strong historical pull alongside its outdoor appeal.

Just north of Lexington Park, Historic St. Mary's City preserves the location of Maryland's first colonial capital, settled in 1634. The living-history site, roughly 15 minutes away, includes reconstructed colonial buildings, a replica of the Maryland Dove, and exhibits on the early English settlement and the colony's complex founding history, including the role of the Yaocomico people who already inhabited the area. It is one of the most significant early-colonial sites in the Chesapeake region.

For short-term rental owners, Lexington Park offers a steady and varied visitor base: military families relocating or visiting personnel at NAS Patuxent River, contractors and business travelers tied to the base, and vacationers drawn to the surrounding Chesapeake Bay attractions, historic sites, and outdoor recreation. Its relatively affordable real estate, combined with reliable demand from the naval installation and growing interest in southern Maryland's heritage tourism, makes it a practical and well-positioned base for a vacation rental.