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Bel Air officials tentatively back short-term rentals in business districts, not residential zones
Summary
After presentations from planning and economic development panels, Bel Air commissioners signaled support for allowing regulated short-term rentals in business (B) zoning districts while expressing reluctance to allow them in residential areas.
Bel Air commissioners signaled support on July 15 for allowing short-term rentals (STRs) in commercial (B) zoning districts while reserving judgment on permitting them in residential zones.
Town staff presented a draft ordinance and said the Planning Commission and the town’s Economic & Community Development Commission (ECDC) had each reviewed the draft and provided unanimous support for regulated STR approvals in both R and B districts, subject to limits and licensing. Staff noted changes to the draft after those reviews, including clarifying the definition of a short-term rental as a property rented for “28 continuous days” and adding a requirement that the owner or caretaker be located within Harford County for properties in business districts.
Several commissioners voiced caution about allowing STRs in residential neighborhoods. Commissioner Rutledge said she opposed short-term rentals in any residential district, calling them “essentially a mini‑hotel.” Commissioner Chismar and Commissioner Taylor supported a narrower start: permit STRs in the B districts and “see how it goes” before considering broader allowances. Commissioner Taylor noted concerns that proliferating STRs in residential areas could reduce the town’s ability to attract a full‑service hotel.
Staff described proposed controls under discussion: special‑exception permitting in residential zones with caps (the draft discussed a 500‑square‑foot maximum for accessory units in certain R districts) and special-development or licensing requirements for commercial zones; owner-on‑site requirements were clarified to state the owner or caretaker must be physically located within Harford County to ensure enforceability.
No ordinance was introduced or adopted at the session. Commissioners asked staff to prepare formal ordinance language reflecting the board’s guidance (allow STRs in B districts subject to limits and enforcement, do not open R districts at this time) and circulate it for a future public hearing and vote.
