Bel Air OKs new short‑term rental rules, bars STRs in residential zones, allows them in business districts
September 16, 2025 | Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland
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The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on Sept. 15 approved Ordinance 846‑25 to add a short‑term rental (STR) use category and related performance standards to Chapter 165 of the Town Code, prohibiting STRs in residential zones and permitting them in town business districts.
The ordinance — which revises performance standards, definitions and the permitted‑use tables in Chapter 165 — passed unanimously after a public hearing that opened and closed with no speakers at 7:12 p.m.
Planning and economic development staff and the town’s commissions reviewed an earlier draft, and the board heard a presentation from a town staff member who recommended approval. “It’s recommended the ordinance 8 46‑25 amending the code to permit short term rentals within business districts in the town be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners,” the staff member said during the meeting. The board voted aye from Commissioner Rutledge, Commissioner Chismar, Commissioner Taylor, Commissioner Chance and Chair Eddington.
Why this matters: the ordinance creates a distinct regulatory category for STRs and revises the town’s definitions for short‑term rental and accessory dwelling unit. That change determines where STRs can operate in Bel Air — separating them from single‑family residential neighborhoods and permitting them only where the town’s land‑use tables allow that use in business districts.
Details and next steps: The ordinance amends Chapter 165 (Town of Bel Air Code) including performance standards referenced in Section 165‑53GS, the definitions in Section 165‑104 and entries in Table 3‑5 of the development regulations. The Planning Commission and the Economic and Community Development Commission reviewed the draft and their comments were attached to the legislation when it came to the board. Town staff thanked the commissions for their input during the board’s deliberations.
The public hearing produced no comments. With the ordinance approved, the Town Clerk will incorporate the code changes into the town code and staff will proceed with the implementation steps identified by the Planning and Economic Development staff.
The board did not direct further study or amendments at the meeting; no condition or amendment to the ordinance was recorded in the official vote.
The ordinance — which revises performance standards, definitions and the permitted‑use tables in Chapter 165 — passed unanimously after a public hearing that opened and closed with no speakers at 7:12 p.m.
Planning and economic development staff and the town’s commissions reviewed an earlier draft, and the board heard a presentation from a town staff member who recommended approval. “It’s recommended the ordinance 8 46‑25 amending the code to permit short term rentals within business districts in the town be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners,” the staff member said during the meeting. The board voted aye from Commissioner Rutledge, Commissioner Chismar, Commissioner Taylor, Commissioner Chance and Chair Eddington.
Why this matters: the ordinance creates a distinct regulatory category for STRs and revises the town’s definitions for short‑term rental and accessory dwelling unit. That change determines where STRs can operate in Bel Air — separating them from single‑family residential neighborhoods and permitting them only where the town’s land‑use tables allow that use in business districts.
Details and next steps: The ordinance amends Chapter 165 (Town of Bel Air Code) including performance standards referenced in Section 165‑53GS, the definitions in Section 165‑104 and entries in Table 3‑5 of the development regulations. The Planning Commission and the Economic and Community Development Commission reviewed the draft and their comments were attached to the legislation when it came to the board. Town staff thanked the commissions for their input during the board’s deliberations.
The public hearing produced no comments. With the ordinance approved, the Town Clerk will incorporate the code changes into the town code and staff will proceed with the implementation steps identified by the Planning and Economic Development staff.
The board did not direct further study or amendments at the meeting; no condition or amendment to the ordinance was recorded in the official vote.
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