McHenry, Maryland Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
McHenry Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Transient Vacation Rental Unit Licensing Ordinance was enacted to regulate and license the use of residential property rented on a transient or short-term basis in Garrett County. A transient Vacation Rental Unit is defined as a building offering complete living facilities under one roof provided that a maximum of 8 bedrooms (unless a greater number of bedrooms lawfully existed before August 5, 2003) and a maximum occupancy of 2 persons per bedroom plus four additional persons will be permitted on the property and that the living facilities are rented based on 14 days or less to guests. All living facilities must be incorporated into the principal structure, and no living quarters may be installed in accessory buildings unless such quarters existed before August 5, 2003. Consult the Transient Vacation Rental Unit Licensing Ordinance for more details.Business License Requirements
All owners of property who intend to offer property for use as a transient vacation rental unit shall first apply to register.Additional Resources:
- TVRU Licensing Procedures
- TVRU Licensing Application
- TVRU Zoning Permit Guideline
- Information regarding the Appeal Process
- TVRU Appeal Form
- TVRU Concerns
Building and Housing Standards
Garrett County has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult the International Building Code 2015 for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
The owner of the transient vacation rental unit shall pay all taxes applying to the use of the property as a transient vacation rental unit.Other Rules
The TVRU Ordinance requires that all new and existing TVRUs be equipped with proper egress for each bedroom.It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Garrett County website for more information.
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Short Term City Rating4.9
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Competition
2.5 -
Real Estate Cost
N/A -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
6.3 -
Rental Rates
6.9
McHenry, Maryland Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 1,536
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Garrett
- Airports
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW)
Want to learn more about McHenry?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our McHenry rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the McHenry rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in McHenry.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits McHenry guests.
Interested in other Maryland cities?
Check out the Maryland short term rental regulations directory
What makes McHenry a great place to invest?
- Deep Creek Lake: McHenry, Maryland is home to the stunning Deep Creek Lake, the state's largest freshwater lake, spanning over 3,900 acres. Boasting over 65 miles of shoreline, this picturesque location is ideal for water-based activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, and paddleboarding. The lake also plays host to the popular Deep Creek Lake State Park, which offers scenic picnic spots, sandy beaches, and playgrounds for families.
- Wisp Resort: As a four-season recreational destination, Wisp Resort has something for everyone. During the winter months, visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing on its 34 well-groomed slopes. In the warmer months, Wisp Resort offers ziplining, mountain biking, and an 18-hole golf course set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Allegheny Mountains.
- Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI): For adrenaline enthusiasts, ASCI is an absolute must-visit. This premier adventure sports facility is home to a world-class artificial whitewater course where visitors can engage in guided rafting, kayaking, and riverboarding experiences. ASCI also offers rock climbing and team-building activities for groups and families, making it a perfect destination for thrill-seekers of all ages.
- Swallow Falls State Park: Just a short drive from McHenry, Swallow Falls State Park is an enchanting 257-acre park that showcases the natural beauty of Maryland's Appalachian Highlands. The park features the state's highest free-falling waterfall, the 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls, as well as the picturesque Swallow Falls and Tolliver Falls. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and fishing, amid the park's ancient hemlock forests and breathtaking scenery.
McHenry Nearby Cities
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4 miles away
- Rating: 5.2
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71 miles away
- Rating: 5.6
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Local Short-Term Rental News for McHenry
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for McHenry, Maryland
Common terms for McHenry short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in McHenry has a description approximately 2,008 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 2,543 listings in McHenry, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Deep Creek, Creek Lake, Bag, Lake, Hot tub, Late, Paper products, Main level, Year round, and Sleep.
What are the most popular tourist activities in McHenry?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in McHenry involve Snow Skiing, Jet Skiing, the Marina, Golfing, and Boating. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Snow Skiing
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Jet Skiing
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Marina
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Golfing
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Boating
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Hiking
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Snowboarding
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Swimming
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Rafting
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Kayaking
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Horseback Riding
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Wildlife Viewing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in McHenry, including Deep Creek Lake, Wisp Resort, Deep Creek Lake State Park, Blackwater Falls State Park, and Ohiopyle State Park. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Deep Creek Lake
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Wisp Resort
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Deep Creek Lake State Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Swallow Falls State Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Ohiopyle State Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Coopers Rock State Forest
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Blackwater Falls State Park
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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Dolly Sods Wilderness Area
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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Laurel Caverns
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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Blackwater Falls
Included on 55% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Lady Luck Casino at Nemacolin
Included on 39% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
Included on 10% of listings
What’s the weather like in McHenry, Maryland?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 58°, while the average low is about 40°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 31 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 30 inches per year. The humidity levels in McHenry are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
23° Low 38° High
Spring
March through May
39° Low 59° High
Summer
June through August
57° Low 77° High
Fall
September through November
41° Low 60° High
Cities Near McHenry
McHenry, Maryland, is located in Garrett County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
