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Annapolis council enacts 12‑month moratorium on new non‑owner short‑term rental licenses after lengthy amendment fight
Summary
After hours of debate and multiple amendments, the Annapolis City Council adopted Ordinance 04025 to impose a 12‑month moratorium on new non‑owner‑occupied short‑term rental licenses, adding reporting and residency-verification requirements and directing monthly data updates to council.
The Annapolis City Council voted 8–1 on March 9 to adopt Ordinance 04025, creating a 12‑month moratorium on issuing new non‑owner‑occupied short‑term rental (STR) licenses. The moratorium passed after a protracted second‑ and third‑reading session during which members debated the length of the moratorium, reporting deadlines, and documentation standards.
Alderwoman O'Neal, the ordinance sponsor, framed the moratorium as a pause to allow the planning and zoning department time to “conduct a comprehensive study of the impacts of short‑term rentals, review and analyze short‑term rental regulations adopted, and recommend appropriate, evidence‑based changes.” Opponents urged a shorter pause and warned of business impacts; Alderman Huntley proposed shortening the moratorium to six months but that amendment failed.
Councilmembers adopted several amendments that changed the final bill from the original text. Key additions that passed include an interim briefing six months into the moratorium and a final report at least 60 days before it expires, monthly data snapshots from the planning and zoning director on registrations and infractions, and tighter proof‑of‑residency requirements for applicants. The council also inserted language distinguishing owner‑occupied and non‑owner‑occupied units for legal clarity at the advice of the city attorney.
On final roll call, the ordinance passed 8–1 (Alderman Savage the lone no vote). The transcript records multiple named sponsors and speakers during the debate, including Alderwoman O'Neal (sponsor) and Aldermen Huntley, Savage, Thorp, Shandelmire/Shandanda Meyer, Smith Brown and others who argued for and against the various amendments. The council directed staff to provide interim and monthly reports so the body can evaluate whether additional legislation is needed before the moratorium expires.
What happens next: The moratorium takes effect as written; the planning and zoning director is to provide the interim briefing and monthly data required by the ordinance. Any legislative changes staff recommends must return to council for formal consideration.
Votes and formal actions: Ordinance 04025 (moratorium) — mover: Alderwoman O'Neal (sponsor); motion carried on final passage, roll‑call recorded 8–1; several amendments adopted by majority vote as recorded in the meeting minutes.
The council made clear both the intent to protect neighborhood stability and the intent to rely on city data and staff recommendations before adopting long‑term changes to STR regulations.
