# Part 1 – Definitions; General Provisions

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 48-1 Definitions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 48-1 (2026)

(a) In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Booking transaction” means a reservation transaction between a  host and a prospective transient guest for a short-term residential rental.

(c) “Dwelling unit” has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City <cite data-path="|building-codes|II">Building Code</cite>.

(d) “Host” means the owner of a dwelling unit who provides or offers to provide all or part of the dwelling unit for short-term residential rental use in exchange for a fee.

(e) “Hosting platform” means an internet-based entity that, in exchange for a fee:

  (1) facilitates reservations of short-term residential rentals;

  (2) serves as a conduit of communication between hosts and transient guests; or

  (3) otherwise facilitates booking transactions for short-term residential rentals.

(f) “Housing Commissioner” or “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development or the Commissioner’s designee.

(g)

  (1) “Permanent residence” means a dwelling unit:

    (i) in which the owner resides for an aggregate of at least 180  days annually; and

    (ii) that is the owner’s usual place of return for housing, as documented by at least one of the following:

      (A) driver’s license;

      (B) voter registration; or

      (C) official designation of the dwelling unit as the owner’s principle residence in accordance with the criteria governing the State Homestead Tax Credit.

  (2) For purposes of this subtitle, a host may have only 1 “permanent residence”.

(h) “Short-term residential rental” means the use, facilitated in whole or in part by a hosting platform, of all or any part of a dwelling unit to provide accommodations to transient guests for sleeping or lodging purposes in exchange for a fee.

(i)

  (1) In this subsection, “transient” means any person who occupies, or has been given the right to occupy, sleeping or lodging accommodations for a period of fewer than 90 consecutive days.

  (2) “Transient guest” means any transient who uses a hosting platform to facilitate a short-term residential rental.

*History: Ord. 19-217*

## § 48-2

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 48-2 (2026)

Reserved

## § 48-3 Rules and Regulations.

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 48-3 (2026)

Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Housing Commissioner must adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle.

*History: Ord. 19-217*

*History: Text Conformed 03/01/21*

## §§ 48-4 to 48-5

Balt., Md., Code art. 15, § 48-4 to 48-5 (2026)

Reserved