Is Rental Arbitrage Legal in Baltimore, MD?

Restricted

Only the owner's principal residence, and only hosted units for new licenses. Baltimore requires a license for rentals under 90 nights. The applicant must live in the property, hold the deed in their own name and have no code violations. The city issues no new licenses for unhosted units.

Can a renter do rental arbitrage here? No. Renters cannot get a short-term rental license here. Only owners can host.

Researched by RentalArbitrage AdminReviewed by RentalArbitrage Admin

Requirements

  • A Baltimore short-term rental license for rentals of less than 90 nights
  • The property is your principal residence
  • The property is deeded in your individual name, not a company
  • The property has no code violations

Restrictions

  • Hosted units (you live there during stays): new applications and renewals
  • Unhosted units: renewals only, with no new licenses issued
  • The rules come from Ordinance 19-217 (Council Bill 18-0189), Baltimore City Code Article 15, Subtitle 48

Official permit or registration page

Next Step

Legal is one half of the decision. The other half is whether the deal earns enough to be worth the risk.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Renter Do Rental Arbitrage in Baltimore?
No. The license requires the applicant to live in the property and hold the deed in their own name.
Can an Owner Rent a Unit They Don't Live In?
Not with a new license. Baltimore issues no new licenses for unhosted units, and only existing holders can renew.
What Counts as a Short-Term Rental?
A rental of all or part of a home for fewer than 90 nights.
What Else Must an Applicant Meet?
No code violations on the property, and the property can't be held in a company name.