Ocean City, Maryland Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Ocean City 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
The Town of Ocean City permits short-term rentals in the R1 zoning category. R1 is defined as low-density single-family residential development. Also, the renter must be able to present a lease/contract agreement upon request. Please visit R1 Rental Maps for more information.Business License Requirements
Property owners renting their dwellings for the first time must complete the Rental License form.Building and Housing Standards
Ocean City 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 Ocean City Adopted Building Code for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Rentals may also be subject to a 4.5% room tax, payable to Worcester County, and a 6% sales tax, payable to the State of Maryland. For more information about these room taxes, call Worcester County at 410-632-0686 X 1211 and the State of Maryland at 1-800-492-1751.Other Rules
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 Town of Ocean City for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating4.7
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Competition
4.8 -
Real Estate Cost
N/A -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
2.3 -
Rental Rates
7.7
Ocean City, 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
- 6,944
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Worcester
- Airports
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marsha... (BWI)
- Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY)
Want to learn more about Ocean City?
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 Ocean City rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Ocean City rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Ocean City.
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 Ocean City guests.
Interested in other Maryland cities?
Check out the Maryland Airbnb rules directory
What makes Ocean City a great place to invest?
- Pristine Beaches: Ocean City, Maryland boasts 10 miles of beautiful, well-maintained sandy beaches that cater to both relaxation-seekers and adventure enthusiasts. The coastline offers ample space for sunbathing, beachcombing, and building sandcastles, while the refreshing Atlantic Ocean provides the perfect setting for swimming, surfing, and other water sports.
- Iconic Boardwalk: Stretching over 3 miles, the historic Ocean City Boardwalk is an attraction in itself, featuring a lively mix of shops, restaurants, bars, and amusement rides. Visitors can stroll, bike, or take a tram ride along the wooden walkway, indulging in iconic treats like Thrasher's French Fries and Fisher's Popcorn, while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and entertainment options.
- Assateague Island National Seashore: Just a short drive from Ocean City, Assateague Island offers visitors the unique opportunity to witness the island's famous wild horses in their natural habitat. The National Seashore also features pristine beaches, salt marshes, and maritime forests, providing excellent opportunities for birdwatching, kayaking, and hiking.
- Outdoor Activities Galore: Ocean City offers a wide range of outdoor activities for all ages and interests. From golfing at one of the area's top-notch courses to sport fishing and boating excursions, there is something for everyone. For thrill-seekers, consider parasailing, jet skiing, or even skydiving for an unforgettable experience.
- Nature and Wildlife: Ocean City's proximity to various parks and nature preserves makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers. Northside Park, located within the city itself, offers a serene setting with walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Nearby, the Pocomoke River State Park and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge provide more opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor exploration.
Ocean City Nearby Cities
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24 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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42 miles away
- Rating: 7.4
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Local Short-Term Rental News for Ocean City
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Ocean City, Maryland
Common terms for Ocean City 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 Ocean City has a description approximately 2,301 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 5,130 listings in Ocean City, 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 Ocean City, Beach, Level, Violation, Balcony, Family, Ground, Block, Come, and Cover.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Ocean City?
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 Ocean City involve going to the Beach, Swimming, Outlet Shopping, Water Parks, and Jet Skiing. 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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Beach
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Swimming
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Outlet Shopping
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Water Parks
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Jet Skiing
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Boating
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Surfing
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Casinos
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Theme Parks
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Cycling
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Parasailing
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Kayaking
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Ocean City, including Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City Beach, Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Jolly Roger Amusement Park, and Maryland Beach. 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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Ocean City Boardwalk
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Ocean City Beach
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Roland E. Powell Convention Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Jolly Roger Amusement Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Casino at Ocean Downs
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Jolly Roger at the Pier
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Maryland Beach
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Carousel Ice Skating Rink
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Northside Park
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Inlet Park
Included on 74% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Oceanic Fishing Pier
Included on 53% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Bethany Beach Boardwalk
Included on 50% of listings
What’s the weather like in Ocean City, Maryland?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 64°, while the average low is about 50°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 39 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is relatively rare, averaging less than 7 inches per year. The humidity levels in Ocean City are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
32° Low 47° High
Spring
March through May
46° Low 61° High
Summer
June through August
68° Low 81° High
Fall
September through November
52° Low 67° High
Cities Near Ocean City
Ocean City, Maryland, is located in Worcester County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
