Clinton, Maryland Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Clinton, MD?

YES, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Clinton, Maryland under Prince George's County regulations. Clinton is located within Prince George's County, and the county has established a comprehensive Short-Term Rentals (STR) program that permits homeowners to operate STRs subject to specific licensing requirements and regulations. The county defines short-term rentals as properties rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Clinton?

Clinton hosts earn a median $21,976/year with $207 ADR and 43% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $30,753+ per year.

See the full Clinton market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Clinton, MD

Starting an STR business in Clinton requires following Prince George's County's structured licensing process:

Step 1: Property Qualification

Ensure the property will serve as your permanent residence (primary homestead)
Verify no outstanding property taxes or liens exist
Confirm no existing code violations on the property
Check HOA regulations (must explicitly allow STRs)

Step 2: Pre-Application Requirements

Obtain Maryland Homestead Tax Credit approval before applying
Install required safety equipment and obtain documentation
Complete safety equipment installation and photo documentation

Step 3: License Application Process

Apply through the Momentum online portal
Submit temporary license application (90 days for hosts)
Pay all applicable fees before review
Undergo inspection by DPIE Code Enforcement staff

Step 4: Post-Approval Operations

Display permanent license
Comply with ongoing operational requirements
File annual license renewals

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Licensing Requirements

1. Short-Term Rental Host License

Cost: Refer to DPIE Fee Schedule
Duration: Annual license
Application: Through Momentum Portal

2. Maryland Homestead Property Tax Credit

Requirement: Must be obtained before STR license application
Process: Complete application via Maryland Homestead Tax Credit Program

Mandatory Safety Documentation (Photo Proof Required)

1. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Required in all bedrooms or hallways outside bedrooms
Photos must be labeled showing location
All detectors must be operational

2. Fire Extinguisher

Minimum size: 2A:10BC
Must be conspicuously located and properly charged
Installed in travel path to exit (max 5 feet height)
Cannot be near stove
Photo documentation required with location labeling

3. Floor Plan and Escape Routes

Fire exits and escape routes must be designated
Floor plan must be conspicuously posted in interior
Photo proof required showing posting location

Insurance and Legal Requirements

1. Liability Insurance

Minimum $1,000,000 current and valid coverage required
Must be maintained throughout license period

2. Safety Attestations

All habitable spaces approved by DPIE Code Enforcement
All construction work properly permitted
Life safety devices up-to-date and operational

Operational Compliance Documents

1. Neighbor Notification

Complete "Short-Term Rental License Neighbor Notification" form
Notify adjacent neighbors (left, right, front, behind property)
Forms available: Neighbor Notification Form

2. HOA Notification

Complete "Short-Term Rental License HOA Notification" form if applicable
Form available: HOA Notification Form

3. Contact Information Documentation

Emergency contact information posted conspicuously inside rental
Updates required within 5 business days of any changes

4. Platform Registration

List all platforms intended for use (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)
Apply separately for Platform License if operating a platform business

Environmental and Property Requirements

1. Waste Management

Two (2) outdoor trash receptacles required
One (1) recycling receptacle required

2. Parking

Off-street parking must be available

3. Basement Usage

Basements cannot be used as bedrooms/habitable space without explicit Enforcement Division authorization

Training and Certification

1. Human Trafficking Training

Complete required training videos and quiz
Certificate of completion required

2. Guest Rules Compliance

Post approved guest rules per Section 7A-109(a) at main entrance

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

County-Level Regulations (Prince George's County)

1. Licensing Authority

Administered by DPIE's Enforcement Division
Governed by County Bill CB-11-2018

2. Property Requirements

Must be host's permanent residence (primary homestead)
Property must be in compliance with Subtitle 4 of Prince George's County Code
All construction, including secondary kitchens, must be properly permitted

3. Operational Limitations

Maximum rental period: Less than 30 consecutive days
No existing code violations permitted
All life safety devices must be maintained

4. Neighbor Relations

Mandatory neighbor notification before license issuance
Ongoing compliance with noise and nuisance regulations
Emergency contact information must be readily accessible

5. Tax Obligations

7% County Transient Occupancy Tax (separate from state/local taxes)
Hosts must collect and remit directly (not automatic through platforms)

State-Level Regulations (Maryland)

1. Lead Paint Compliance

All STR properties must comply with Maryland's Lead Law
Required Documentation:

City-Specific Regulations (Clinton)

Note: Clinton does not have separate city-level STR regulations. All STR operations in Clinton are governed by Prince George's County regulations outlined above.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Licensing Authority

Prince George's County DPIE (Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement)

Address: Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, 1301 McCormick Drive, Largo, MD 20774
Email: Contact through DPIE Contact Portal
STR-Specific Questions: Contact DPIE's Enforcement Division

Application and Portal Support

Momentum Online Portal

Portal Access: Momentum Portal
Support: Available through Momentum Information page
Registration Help: Step-by-step instructions and "how-to" videos available

Code Enforcement and Violations

Report Illegal STRs

Phone: 3-1-1 or (301) 883-4748
Service: PGC311 for reporting violations

Financial and Tax Questions

Transient Occupancy Tax

Contact Prince George's County Finance Department
Note: 7% tax must be remitted by host, not automatically collected

State-Level Contacts

Maryland Homestead Property Tax Credit

Website: Maryland Homestead Tax Credit Program
Contact: Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation

Maryland Department of Environment (Lead Compliance)

Website: For lead law compliance requirements and documentation

Source Links and Additional Resources

Primary Government Resources

Prince George's County STR Licensing: Short-Term Rental Licensing Page
Momentum Portal: Online License Application System
DPIE Fee Schedule: Current Licensing Fees

Required Forms and Documentation

Neighbor Notification Form: STR Neighbor Notification
HOA Notification Form: STR HOA Notification
Enforcement Forms: Complete Form Repository

Compliance Resources

STR FAQ: Short-Term Rentals FAQs
STR Checklist: Short-Term Rentals Checklist
Maryland Homestead Tax Credit: Application Portal

Legal Framework

County Bill CB-11-2018: STR Legislative Authority

Additional Support

Momentum Resources: Portal Help and Instructions
DPIE Contact: General Contact Information

Important Disclaimer: This guide is based on information available as of 2025. Regulations may change, and investors should verify current requirements with Prince George's County DPIE before making investment decisions. Operating an STR without proper licensing can result in permanent bar from the program and enforcement action.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Clinton

Clinton is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, situated in the southern portion of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With a population of roughly 35,000, it has the feel of an established Washington suburb, defined by tree-shaded residential streets, strip-mall shopping centers, and a steady hum of commuter traffic along Branch Avenue (Maryland Route 5). Clinton serves as a practical gateway to both the nation's capital to the northwest and the more pastoral landscapes of Southern Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay to the south and east. Downtown Washington, D.C. lies approximately fifteen miles to the northwest, easily reached by car or via the nearby Metro and commuter bus network.

A short drive south of Clinton brings visitors to Fort Washington Park, a National Park Service site perched on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River. The park is anchored by Fort Washington, a stone fortification dating to the early nineteenth century that guarded the river approach to the capital, and it offers visitors both guided tours of the historic structure and easy access to riverfront walking trails and picnic areas. The park is only about ten minutes from Clinton, making it a popular escape for travelers seeking open space and history without leaving the immediate area.

Just across the Potomac to the west, roughly twenty minutes from Clinton, National Harbor has emerged as one of the region's largest waterfront resort destinations. The development features a marina, a riverside promenade, the Capital Wheel observation ride, and a growing collection of restaurants, shops, and hotels, including the MGM National Harbor casino resort. It also serves as a convenient launching point for cruises down the Potomac and for trips into Old Town Alexandria, just across the river in Virginia.

A few miles south of Clinton lies Piscataway Park, another National Park Service site that protects the riverfront viewshed across from Mount Vernon. The park includes hiking and biking trails through bottomland forest and the Accokeek Foundation's National Colonial Farm, a living-history site that interprets eighteenth-century plantation life. Together with Fort Washington, the area offers a layered picture of the Chesapeake region's colonial and early-republic past.

And of course, the entire Smithsonian system, the National Mall, and the monuments of Washington, D.C. sit about a thirty-minute drive from Clinton, giving short-term-rental guests a quieter, more affordable home base from which to explore both the capital and the river towns, parks, and bay country of Southern Maryland.