WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. — Visitors planning to stay in Worcester County next year should expect to pay more for lodging, as a higher hotel rental tax is set to take effect at the start of 2026.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Worcester County’s hotel rental tax on short-term stays of four months or less will increase from 5% to 6%. The tax applies to all compensation paid for lodging at hotels, motels, apartments, cottages and other establishments that provide sleeping accommodations.
The tax is paid by guests at the time of booking or checkout, while lodging operators are responsible for collecting and remitting the funds to the county.
Some residents say the increase reflects the rising cost of living and doing business.
“Price of everything's going up. I went over to BJ's to get my coffee, it's up a couple dollars. Everything's up,” said Tom Esola.
County officials say the tax increase will be primarily used to support tourism-related efforts.
Esola added that higher costs are becoming a reality across the board.
“The minimum wage is going up. People have to live, we all have to. We all have to chip in a little bit more. That's the way I look at it.”
In addition to the county tax, lodging stays are also subject to Maryland’s 6% state sales and use tax. Combined, visitors staying in hotels or short-term rentals in Worcester County will face a total lodging tax rate of 12% starting in 2026.