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How to apply for a Short-Term or B & B Rental License

Follow the steps below to apply for a short-term rental license. The short-term residential rental license fee is $325 and the license is valid for 12 months. License applications will be approved or denied within 30-60 days. Obtain a Maryland State Sales Use and Tax ID number first. Be sure to apply for the County’s Room Rental and Transient Tax, through the County Dept. of Finance, Division of Treasury. Then complete the Short-Term Rental application. 

  1. Obtain a Maryland State Sales Use and Tax ID Application

    Obtain a Maryland State Sales Use and Tax ID Maryland Comptroller Sales & Use Tax ID online.
    NOTE: The State must approve your application before continuing with the application process.

  2. Apply for Montgomery County's Short-Term Rental and Room Rental-Transient Tax

    Montgomery County Department of Finance Apply for the Transient Tax online.

    Homeowners: If you rent your home, or part of your home, for periods of 30 days or fewer, you are required to pay the County’s Room Rental Transient Tax (also known as the Hotel Tax).  The Room Rental Transient Tax requirement pertains to each instance that you rent your home, or part of your home, for 30 days or less. For rentals that are longer than 30 days there is no Room Rental Transient Tax due—these rentals must be to the same person or people for more than 30 consecutive days.

    If you use an online broker such as, HomeAway, VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner), FlipKey, Hometogo, Homelidays, VacationRentals, Airbnb, Craigslist, etc.,  you are still responsible for paying the tax. However, if your online broker pays the tax on your behalf you may provide the County proof that the online broker is submitting the tax directly to the County on your behalf. 

  3. Additional Requirements for Bed and Breakfast Rentals Only

    Apply for a permit of occupancy. If you are serving hot food, obtain a Food Service Facility License.

  4. Apply for Montgomery County DHCA Short-Term Rental License

    Apply for or Renew your rental license online, with the short-term rental license application.


If you would like to submit a service request related to short-term residential rental licensing, you may contact MC311at 240-777-0311 or online at MC311 Answering to You - Montgomery County, MD (montgomerycountymd.gov)