Summary
Renting out a room in your own house for 90 days or more is currently illegal in Annapolis — punishable by a $1,000-a-day fine — even though short-term rentals are allowed. The simplified bill just says it's legal, removing an enforcement tool that sponsors said has been targeted disproportionately at minorities and providing the city's cheapest unsubsidized housing option.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 2
Rising — discussed at 4 meetings since Sep 14, 2026, up from 0 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
Saves the city money since no new licensing or inspection regime is created, and gives residents a low-cost housing option.
Homeowners who want to rent a spare room and renters priced out of whole homes.
Nearby residents worry about parking and neighborhood strain.
Mentions & discussions (7)
City Council (Special) - Oct 26, 2026
The simplified 'Bedrooms for the People Act' makes it simply legal to rent a room in the home you own — dropping license and inspection requirements that advocates said would never be used and had been weaponized against homeowners.
Economic Matters Committee - Regular Meeting - Oct 7, 2026
Renting out a spare room in your own home for 90 days or more is currently illegal everywhere in Annapolis, even as housing costs keep climbing. O-11-26, simplified by amendment, would simply make it legal — potentially helping longtime residents afford to stay in their homes.
Rules and City Government Committee - Regular Meeting - Oct 1, 2026
Renting out a room in your own house for 90 days or more is currently illegal in Annapolis — punishable by a $1,000-a-day fine — even though short-term rentals are allowed. The simplified bill just says it's legal, removing an enforcement tool that sponsors said has been targeted disproportionately at minorities and providing the city's cheapest unsubsidized housing option.
City Council (Regular) - Sep 14, 2026
A hearing was held on allowing licensed rooming houses as long-term rentals in private residences — intended to add housing but criticized over parking. No vote yet.
Finance Committee - Special Meeting - Jun 18, 2026
The city is setting fees for the new law allowing long-term room rentals in private homes. The committee backed the fee resolution but wants a deeper financial analysis of what the rooming house license should cost.
Finance Committee - Regular Meeting - Jun 3, 2026
The city is working out what it will charge for rooming house licenses now that Ordinance 11-26 lets homeowners rent long-term rooms in their houses. The fee resolution was pushed to June 17 while the Finance Department refines its cost estimates.
City Council (Special) - May 26, 2026
Annapolis is moving toward letting homeowners rent rooms long-term under a new licensing and zoning framework. It could open more affordable rental housing, but neighbors will want to watch the operational standards as it works through committees.
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