Proposed changes to Ocean City’s short-term rental rules fail in narrow vote
Jul 26, 2025 | 8:14 am ET
Description
The beach at Ocean City, where residents rejected a referendum that would have restricted short-terem 2022 Maryland Association of Counties summer conference will be held this week in Ocean City. (Photo by Christopher Boswell/Stock.adobe.com)
By Valerie Bonk
A close vote in a special election in Ocean City means short-term rentals in the resort town can continue without added restrictions for now.
Referendum Question A would have required renters in single-family homes to stay a minimum of five nights. That requirement would have increased to a 31-night minimum stay starting in 2027. The measure would not have applied to the city’s many condos, hotels, townhouses or other properties.
There were 800 votes for the ordinance and 834 against in voting held Tuesday, a margin of 49%-51%, meaning the changes failed narrowly.
“It was a lot closer than we anticipated, but we are thrilled with the results and that we were victorious,” said Terry Miller with OCMD Property Rights, which fought against the measure.
“We hope to work with the mayor and council on fixing problems but not taking property rights,” Miller said after Tueday’s vote.
Miller has lived in Ocean City since she was a child. She’s a real estate agent and was against the ordinance passed by the Ocean City Council in March that enforces additional restrictions on short-term properties.
The special election was set up after a petition against the ordinance reached more than 1,000 signatures.
“We want people to come, we want them to have a good time, but everybody needs to be respectful of their neighbor,” Miller said. “I think everybody loves Ocean City, and we should work together to make it better for everyone, not just a select few.”
The ordinance stemmed from complaints about noise and trash in the area.
“We’re grateful for everybody that came out. The people that are for this ordinance, your voices have been heard. We want to help work together to fix the few problems that exist throughout this town,” she said.
WTOP has reached out to Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan for comment.
– As part of Maryland Matters’ content sharing agreement with WTOP, we feature this article from Valerie Bonk. Click here for the WTOP News website.
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