Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Pasadena, MD?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Pasadena, Maryland. Pasadena is not an incorporated city; it is an unincorporated community within Anne Arundel County (AACo). All land-use and licensing authority for short-term rentals therefore rests with Anne Arundel County, not any municipal government. City of Pasadena (CA) rules do not apply. As of the latest county guidance on the official AACo “Short-Term Residential Rental” page, short-term rentals are permitted subject to county registration and compliance with state and county laws.

Key takeaway for investors: operate under Anne Arundel County’s licensing regime and reporting rules. No separate Pasadena municipal license exists.

How to start a short-term rental business in Pasadena (Anne Arundel County)

1. Verify eligibility and property use:

• Confirm the dwelling is a single-family home or an allowed unit type in the zoning district; you are responsible for ensuring compliance with local zoning (the AACo site does not provide zoning-by-zoning use details in the referenced page).
• Confirm the property is not within the City of Annapolis (if it is, different city rules apply and county registration is not required).
• Ensure you can comply with all building, life-safety, and health requirements.

2. Register with Anne Arundel County:

• Apply for the Short-Term Residential Rental registration via the County’s Land Use Navigator system.
• The fee is $100 for a two‑year term (emergency ordinance reduced from $400).
• Hosts are limited to registering up to two properties.
• Registration must be renewed every two years; late renewals may incur fees or suspension.

3. Operational compliance and recordkeeping:

• Maintain records supporting compliance (proof of residency if applicable, insurance, safety documentation).
• Post or make available any notices or disclosures as required by county/state law.
• Prepare to remit applicable county/city/accommodation taxes and file any required reports.

4. Ongoing administration:

• Keep your registration number on all listings.
• Monitor for policy updates from Anne Arundel County and State of Maryland.
• If you hold multiple properties or operate more units than permitted, adjust your business model accordingly.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Anne Arundel County Short-Term Residential Rental Registration:
  • Registration application form (notarized submission required).
  • Notary acknowledgment of the application affidavit.
  • Proof of property ownership or authorization to operate the rental.
  • Additional supporting documents as indicated on the application (e.g., identification, site plans if required by the county).
• Insurance: While not detailed in the referenced county page, investors should maintain appropriate liability and property coverage for rentals.
• Safety and habitability: Comply with applicable building, fire, and health codes. The county site does not enumerate specific life-safety requirements in the provided content; confirm requirements at permit intake.
• Zoning confirmation: Because Pasadena is unincorporated, confirm with AACo zoning staff that short-term rental use is permitted at your specific address.
• Business license: The county site does not indicate a separate business license requirement for short-term rentals.

Specific regulations: Anne Arundel County and State of Maryland

Anne Arundel County — Short-Term Residential Rental:

• Definition: “Short-term residential rental” means the use or occupancy, facilitated by a hosting platform, of all or part of a dwelling unit to provide accommodations to transient guests for no more than 120 consecutive days in a calendar year.
• Registration requirement: Anyone hosting short-term stays of 120 consecutive nights or less must register with the County. Short-term rentals within the City of Annapolis are exempt from county registration.
• Cap on properties: Up to two properties may be registered.
• Fee and term: $100 for a two-year term under an emergency ordinance effective January 26, 2021.
• Exemptions: Long-term stays (121+ consecutive nights) and hotels/motels are exempt from registering as short-term rentals.
• Application submission: Applications may be submitted online, in person at the Permit Center, or by mail to the License Division.
• Renewal: Renewals are accepted online, in person, or by mail using the same system.

State of Maryland — No statewide STR law:

• There is no statewide short-term rental statute governing local registrations or taxes. STR rules are set by counties and municipalities. Hosts must follow the specific requirements of the jurisdiction where the property is located.
• State taxes: Maryland imposes a 6% sales tax on most short-term lodging transactions. If the property is located within the City of Annapolis or other municipalities that levy local transient taxes, additional rates may apply. Confirm rates and filing requirements with the Maryland Comptroller and the relevant municipality.

Note on Pasadena governance:

• Pasadena is unincorporated; there are no Pasadena city-specific STR regulations. All permitting and enforcement flows through Anne Arundel County.

Taxes, reporting, and remittance

• County registration fee: $100 per property, two-year term.
• Sales tax: Maryland sales tax rate is 6% on most short-term rentals. File and remit through the Maryland Comptroller’s Office according to your filing cadence (monthly/quarterly/annual depending on volume). Do not rely on the County site for rate or filing instructions; verify with the Comptroller.
• Local transient taxes: If the property is inside any municipality that imposes a local transient occupancy or lodging tax (e.g., Annapolis), you may have additional local tax obligations. The AACo content does not specify local rates for municipalities; consult the relevant city finance/tax office.
• Platform collection vs. host reporting: Some platforms collect certain taxes directly (varies by platform and jurisdiction). Regardless, it is the host’s responsibility to ensure all applicable taxes are paid and returns are filed on time. The AACo page does not state that platforms remit taxes on behalf of AACo-registered hosts; you should confirm tax remittance mechanics with the Maryland Comptroller and any applicable municipality.

Note on TOT/TBID mention in other content:

• The City of Pasadena, CA operates a separate regime with TOT and TBID obligations. Those rules do not apply to Pasadena, MD (Anne Arundel County).

Contact information (local authority for STRs in Pasadena/AACo)

• Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits – Licenses Division
  • Phone: (410) 222-7788
  • Email: licensemailbox@aacounty.org (general licensing), ipmailbox@aacounty.org (short-term rental/permit assistance)
  • Mail:
    • Anne Arundel County
    • Attention: License Division
    • 2664 Riva Road, MS 6006
    • Annapolis, MD 21401
  • Permit Center (in-person applications): Anne Arundel County Permit Center
  • Online Portal: Land Use Navigator (apply/renew registrations)
• Maryland Comptroller (state sales tax questions): Contact via Comptroller’s Office channels
• City of Annapolis (if your property is within city limits): Contact the City of Annapolis for any local transient tax requirements

Source links

• Anne Arundel County – Short-Term Residential Rental: www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/licenses/non-trade-licenses/short-term-residential-rental
• Airbnb – Anne Arundel County, MD hosting guidance: www.airbnb.com/help/article/2917
• Baltimore Banner – Annapolis restricts short-term rentals (context on municipal rules): www.thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/annapolis-short-term-rental-rules-W2SYVFHY6VG2TLHTPKEUIA4WUM/
• Pasadena Voice – Community article on Airbnb/STRs: pasadenavoice.com/stories/to-airbnb-or-not-to-airbnb-that-is-the-question,27484
• City of Pasadena, CA – Short-Term Rental Regulations (not applicable to Pasadena, MD): www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/short-term-rental-regulations/

Practical compliance checklist for investors

• Confirm zoning and use eligibility with AACo zoning/permit staff.
• Register each property on the Land Use Navigator; maintain current registration numbers.
• Limit to two properties under county registration; consider long-term rentals if you exceed the cap.
• Obtain appropriate insurance and comply with building/fire/health codes.
• Set up Maryland sales tax filing and any required local filings; monitor rates and due dates.
• Maintain records and receipts for audits; keep registration and tax proof accessible.
• If your property lies inside any municipality, check local tax/registration requirements separately.
• Monitor county and state updates; renew registrations before expiration.