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Annapolis harbor staff urges ban on short‑term rentals of house barges, recommends winter anchoring limits
Summary
Harbormaster and staff presented a task‑force recommendation to prohibit house barges and floating platforms from operating as short‑term rentals in Annapolis waters, urged a winter anchoring ban, and proposed a mooring‑spacing code correction to avoid unintentionally penalizing existing moorings.
Harbormaster Beth Bellas told the City Council that a 15‑member task force convened in April 2025 recommended an ordinance prohibiting the use of house barges and similar floating platforms as short‑term rentals in Annapolis waters. Bellas said the recommendation aims to close gaps in Title 15 that currently make enforcement difficult and to protect navigation, marinas and long‑standing live‑aboard communities.
“Based on the task force report, our office supports prohibiting short‑term rentals on houseboats and other vessels,” Bellas said, describing examples the staff documented and noting the group’s 50‑page report. Harbormaster staff and planning officials emphasized the difficulty of certifying floating platforms for safe, residential occupancy and the potential for short‑term renters unfamiliar with boat systems to cause safety and…
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