In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Booking service” means a person who, directly or indirectly: provides one or more online, computer, or application–based platforms that individually or collectively can be used to: list or advertise offers for short–term rentals; and accept offers for short–term rentals; or allow reservation or payment for short–term rentals; and charges, collects, or receives a fee for the use of the platform or for any service provided in connection with a short–term rental. “Booking service” does not include a platform that solely lists or advertises offers for short–term rentals. “Carbon monoxide alarm” has the meaning stated in § 12–1101 of this article. “Short–term rental” has the meaning stated in § 11–101 of the Tax – General Article. “Short–term rental host” means a person in legal possession of a short–term rental unit who rents the unit to guests. “Short–term rental unit” has the meaning stated in § 11–101 of the Tax – General Article. “Sleeping area” has the meaning stated in § 9–101 of this title. “Smoke alarm” has the meaning stated in § 9–101 of this title.

This subtitle applies only to a short–term rental unit offered for short–term rental for less than 30 consecutive days.

In a short–term rental unit, a short–term rental host shall: conspicuously post an evacuation diagram identifying all exits from the short–term rental unit and, if applicable, the exits from the building in which the short–term rental unit is located; conspicuously post a list of emergency telephone numbers for law enforcement and fire rescue services; provide a working fire extinguisher in the short–term rental unit; and provide working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in the short–term rental unit. Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm required under subsection (a) of this section shall be installed and maintained in accordance with State, county, and municipal fire codes. If multiple smoke alarms are required to be installed and maintained in the short–term rental unit, each smoke alarm shall: be interconnected with other smoke alarms so that the activation of one smoke alarm activates all smoke alarms in the short–term rental unit; or comply with an alternative requirement authorized by the State Fire Marshal in consultation with the State Fire Prevention Commission. When activated, a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm required under this section shall sound an alarm that is: clearly audible in all sleeping rooms and sleeping areas in a short–term rental unit; and loud enough to be heard over background noise and with all doors closed between the sleeping rooms in a sleeping area and the smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm. A smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm required under this section shall be replaced if the smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm: stops functioning; is more than 10 years old based on the production date marked on the back of the device; or has no production date on the back of the device.

A booking service shall: electronically notify all short–term rental hosts that use the booking service of the fire safety requirements of this subtitle; and require each short–term rental host that uses the booking service to provide to the booking service confirmation documentation provided to the short–term rental host under § 9–1105 of this subtitle for each short–term rental unit owned by the short–term rental host.

This section does not apply to a county or Baltimore City that prohibits short–term rentals in the jurisdiction. On or before July 1, 2028, each county and Baltimore City shall, by local law or regulation: require the annual inspection of all short–term rental units in the jurisdiction for compliance with the requirements of § 9–1103 of this subtitle; and submit a report to the State Fire Marshal on or before July 1, 2028, summarizing: each local law or regulation adopted on or after October 1, 2026, governing the inspection of short–term rental units described in item (1) of this subsection; each local law or regulation in effect before October 1, 2026, governing the inspection of short–term rental units described in item (1) of this subsection, including the effective date of the law or regulation; the number of short–term rental units in the jurisdiction inspected under item (1) of this subsection; and the number of short–term rental units in the jurisdiction that are in compliance with the requirements of § 9–1103 of this subtitle. A county or Baltimore City may establish a fee to cover the cost of inspection required under subsection (b)(1) of this section. In consultation with the State Fire Marshal, a county or Baltimore City may delegate the inspection of short–term rental units required under subsection (b) of this section to a third–party inspector who: meets the qualifications, insurance requirements, and procedures established by the State Fire Marshal; and is certified by a nationally recognized fire safety organization. The Office of the State Fire Marshal shall establish the minimum required qualifications, certifications, and licensing for a third–party inspector under this subsection. If the person conducting the inspection under this section finds ashort–term rental unit to be in compliance with the requirements of § 9–1103 of this subtitle, the person shall provide to the short–term rental host a certificate, receipt, or other documentation of compliance.

This subtitle may not be construed to: require a county or Baltimore City to authorize the use of short–term rentals in the jurisdiction; or preempt or prohibit a county or Baltimore City from enacting other measures regarding short–term rentals in the jurisdiction in addition to the measures required by this subtitle.