OCEAN CITY, Md. – A special election has been scheduled to let voters decide the fate of a new ordinance regulating short-term rentals.
The ordinance, recently approved by the Ocean City Council, would require a minimum stay of five nights for short-term rentals in residential areas and mobile home communities. The measure was intended to preserve the character of neighborhoods.
“It’s a responsible thing to do to protect our R-1 and MH areas, to make sure they don’t just become investment properties,” said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan.
Others argue the rule is already impacting local rental income.
But others argue the rule is already impacting local rental income. Realtor John Magathan, who helped gather petition signatures, said, “Last year, by this time, they had over half of their calendar full. But as you can see here in this calendar, this is the only one reservation that they currently have because of the five-night minimum.”
A petition opposing the ordinance successfully gathered more than 1,000 verified signatures, triggering a referendum. As a result, a special election will be held on July 22 at the ocean city convention center to determine whether the five-night minimum stay rule should be implemented.