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Annapolis reports higher STR licensing and stepped‑up enforcement; staff seeks more resources
Summary
Planning & Zoning told the council licensed short‑term rentals rose to 343 of 532 listings (about 65% licensed). Since July staff opened roughly 194 enforcement cases, closed 154, and has nine cases with fines payable. Officials said more enforcement staff and inspections are needed and discussed platform cooperation and a possible moratorium’s enforcement effects.
Planning & Zoning Director Chris Jakubiak told the City Council that the city’s short‑term rental licensing campaign has increased compliance: from 283 licensed units in June 2025 to 343 currently, while third‑party platform listings declined to 532, meaning about 65% of listed units are now licensed according to host‑compliance data.
“We’ve increased our licensing by 55 since July,” Jakubiak said, adding that the host‑compliance platform is imperfect but remains the best source. He said the department opened roughly 194 STR enforcement matters since July and closed about 154 — largely because owners applied for licenses, delisted listings or otherwise came into compliance. Jakubiak said nine cases have progressed to fines or citations that may be adjudicated.
John Manasseh, chief of code enforcement, described the city’s enforcement workflow: staff use host‑compliance data to identify likely unlicensed listings, send a letter with a customary 30‑day compliance window, post a placard on properties that appear unlicensed to alert tenants, and issue citations if owners do not respond. Manasseh said enforcement also checks for block‑face caps, local property manager requirements and state tax accounts during application review.
Council members pressed staff on staffing and capacity. Jakubiak and Manasseh said the short‑term rental coordinator authorized in the last budget was filled as a contractual hire and that the office remains understaffed: they reported 62 STRs pending inspection and said a moratorium on new licenses could free staff to focus on unlicensed properties but would not eliminate ongoing complaint‑driven enforcement needs.
Members discussed platform cooperation (Airbnb/VRBO/Boatsetter), with staff noting platforms vary in how much license data they will accept or share and that some jurisdictions require license information before a posting goes live. Jakubiak supported exploring platform agreements to require license uploads prior to listing, which council members said might reduce staff workload.
The department said the most common field complaints are trash and sidewalk/snow clearance; noise complaints have declined. Staff asked the council to consider fee adjustments and budgeting for extra enforcement capacity, and council members signaled interest in receiving specific budget estimates to evaluate staffing proposals in the upcoming budget cycle.
