Ocean City, Md. The Ocean City Council is reviewing a possible exemption to recently adopted short-term rental regulations for multifamily buildings constructed before current zoning rules took effect. The new ordinances impose stricter limits on short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods, including a two-person per bedroom occupancy cap and a minimum stay requirement of five nights. Starting in 2027, the minimum stay would increase to 31 nights pending a referendum later this year. Council members are exploring ways to exclude certain multifamily properties such as duplexes and condominiums from these rules. Mayor Rick Meehan said these structures were legally permitted before the new zoning and should not be treated the same as single-family homes under the ordinance.
Currently, new construction of multifamily buildings in residential areas is prohibited, but existing structures will remain and could operate under separate regulations. The council is compiling a detailed inventory of all multifamily residences in residential zones. Once completed, it will determine the appropriate regulatory approach for these properties.
