10/15/2026
Following the October 12, 2026 Annapolis City Council Regular Meeting, I wanted to share the City’s short-term rental update, along with my observations.
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My takeaway: we are still hearing many of the same concerns, with few concrete answers about implementation. The City’s Planning and Zoning staff acknowledged that they do not currently have enough staffing, time, or technology to administer and enforce the program at the level being discussed. No new STR rules were adopted during this briefing.
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Meeting background
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The official agenda item was “Short-Term Rental Moratorium Update” (ID-164-26), an interim briefing required under Ordinance O-40-25. Planning and Zoning Director Chris Jakubiak and Senior Comprehensive Planner Alexis Robinson presented the findings and answered Council questions. This was a City staff briefing, not a task force meeting.
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The meeting was held in the Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers. Confirmed Council participants included Mayor Jared Littmann, Aldermen Harry Huntley, Brooks Schandelmeier, Frank Thorp, Rob Savidge and Keanuú Smith-Brown, and Alderwomen Karma O’Neill and Janice Allsup-Johnson. Published minutes are still pending, so this is not a complete attendance roll.
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The STR presentation begins around 2:33 in the meeting recording. The portion reviewed consisted of staff presentations and Council questions, with no public remarks during that segment. A separate general public-comment period occurred earlier.
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Enforcement and staffing
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Staff reported approximately 303 licensed STR units and 65 identified unlicensed rentals as of September 30, with at least 30 active enforcement cases. They acknowledged that the actual number of unlicensed rentals is likely higher.
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Mayor Littmann questioned why all identified unlicensed properties were not already subject to enforcement. Staff attributed the gap to limited capacity and the time required to process cases.
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Alderwoman O’Neill asked how the City could respond to situations such as Friday-afternoon arrivals at an unlicensed rental. Staff said they do not yet have a practical solution for real-time enforcement, although coordination between police, 311, and City systems is being explored.
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Alderman Thorp requested a concrete estimate of what it would cost to operate and enforce the program at the level residents expect.
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For homeowners, this leaves an important question unanswered: what will a workable program actually require, and what will it cost?
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Fines and compliance
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The recently increased maximum fine of $5,000 was discussed as a deterrent. Mayor Littmann suggested sending notices about the increased penalty to identified operators without active enforcement cases.
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Alderman Schandelmeier asked whether the higher fine would improve compliance and why some operators remain unlicensed. Director Jakubiak said the fine should be a meaningful deterrent and that the City hopes not to collect it.
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The lottery and technology gaps
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In response to Alderman Huntley’s questions, staff explained that the existing lottery is scheduled to begin November 1, 2027. Applicable license periods will shorten during the phase-in because they cannot extend beyond that date.
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Staff also acknowledged that the systems needed to administer the block-face limits and lottery still require development. The cost and practical mechanics of running the lottery remain unresolved.
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Host Compliance and the reliability of the data
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The City said it continues to use Host Compliance data to identify unlicensed rentals. Alderman Huntley asked whether the figures were comparable to earlier reports, and staff confirmed that the same platform was being used.
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Separately, I have concerns about that system. My understanding has been that Host Compliance is Canadian-based and has become difficult to reach, but I have not independently confirmed its current corporate location or support arrangements. I also question whether the City still uses it for tax reporting.
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If the City is relying on this platform to support regulatory decisions, I would like clear answers about how current and accurate the data is, how errors are corrected, and what support is available. These are my questions—not findings presented by the City.
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Potential changes—not adopted rules
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Staff outlined possible changes, including clearer distinctions between owner-occupied homes and commercially operated investment properties, limits on annual rental days, zoning restrictions, higher operating standards, a citywide license cap, and increased fees.
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Director Jakubiak emphasized a potential approach that would distinguish occasional rentals of someone’s own home from properties operated primarily as commercial investments.
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These remain preliminary ideas. Staff said further research and community engagement would take place before proposed legislative changes are drafted.
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A stronger homeowner voice through ASTRA
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Local property managers are coming together through ASTRA (Annapolis Short-Term Rental Association), led by Sean and Jen from iTrip, to share information and bring homeowner and property-manager perspectives into the discussion.
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I encourage you to join, stay informed, and participate as the City develops its next recommendations.
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Join ASTRA on Facebook:
Link Below
These discussions concern properties within Annapolis city limits. Existing requirements remain in place. I’ll continue sharing updates as we receive concrete proposals and opportunities to provide input.
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Official meeting record:
Link Below
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Carolyn