Real People. Real Homes. Real Community.
Ocean City has always been a place for memories — where families return each summer, local hosts welcome visitors, and community ties grow stronger. But now, a proposed ban on short-term rentals in the areas that attract family vacationers to our town, R1 & MH, threatens not just property rights, but also the long-term appeal of Ocean City as a family vacation destination.
Why This Matters
Short-term rental hosts in Ocean City aren’t greedy investors out to make a buck and destroy communities. That is such a false narrative. Hosts in the R1 and MH neighborhoods of Ocean City are most often:
- Local families who use rentals to afford rising costs.
- Heirs who rent their longstanding family homes, so they don’t have to sell them.
- Retirees who rely on hosting for supplemental income.
- Future retirees who rent now with a plan to reside later.
These properties support so many small businesses that thrive on the tourism driven by family vacation rentals. And they provide an incredibly unique vacation experience for guests who return year after year to neighborhoods they love.
In short, a ban on short-term rentals in Ocean City won’t just hurt hosts. It will hurt Ocean City’s economy, it’s appeal to family vacationers, and it’s community spirit.
And, yes, some people purchase homes in R1 and MH neighborhoods with the intent to rent them. Those homes are often the most beautiful and well-maintained properties on the block.
What You Can Do
- Vote Against the Short-Term Rental Ban - A divided City Council voted 4-3 to rip away homeowner’s property rights by banning short-term rentals in R1 and MH neighborhoods. The overwhelmingly successful petition drive put that decision in your hands. Let’s show the City Council they got it wrong and that Ocean City stands for property rights.
- Share Your Story - Whether you’re a host, guest, or neighbor, your voice can help change minds. Post your story on our Facebook page, OCMD Property Rights.
- Join Us and/or Donate - We need all the help we can get to spread the word to neighbors and friends. Click here and fill out the form if you’d like to get involved. We also need funds to help pay for a campaign to get out the vote. Click here to donate via our GoFundMe page.
- Follow & Share on Social Media - Stay up to date on this issue by following OC MD Property Rights on Facebook
Photo Gallery
On 21 April 2025, We turned in 1,327 petition signatures to stop the Ban on Short Term Rentals.
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