Revised Feb. 21, 2020 1
City of Annapolis
Department of Planning and Zoning
145 Gorman Street 3
rd
Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401-2529
Permitting@annapolis.gov410-260-2200Fax 410-263-9158 • use MD Relay or 711 • www.annapolis.gov
Bed & Breakfast Operating License Application
The purpose of a Bed & Breakfast license is to assure compliance with health, safety and zoning requirements as outlined
in the Annapolis City Code.
Authority City of Annapolis Code and Charter, Chapter 21.64.110, 21.66.130 and Chapters 17.40 and 17.44.
City Code provisions
1. “Bed & Breakfast Home” means a single-family, owner-occupied detached dwelling which provides only transient
lodging in not more than five rooms with a maximum stay of fourteen consecutive nights. A Bed & Breakfast home
may provide no food or beverage service for the transient guests other than breakfast provided in the areas of the
dwelling commonly used by the resident family for the consumption of food.
2. Bed & Breakfast homes holding a valid, current license issued by the City pursuant to Chapter 17.44 as of
June 20, 1994 are not subject to the locational limitations.
3. The individual recorded owner of the property shall be the operator of the Bed & Breakfast and reside on the premises.
No resident managers shall be allowed to operate a Bed & Breakfast.
4. The number of guests cannot exceed the maximum allowed by the Life Safety Code.
5. There shall be only one kitchen within the entire dwelling unit. No cooking facilities shall be permitted in guest rooms.
6. Bed & Breakfast homes shall not have a “separate” apartment within the entire dwelling or on the subject property
such as a carriage house, garage, etc.
7. Bed & Breakfast homes shall have interior” stairs to serve all habitable living spaces within the entire dwelling
including basements and attics, with the exception of any Bed & Breakfast homes holding a valid, current license
issued by the City pursuant to Chapter 17.44 as of June 20, 1994.
8. Bed & Breakfast homes without off-street parking are required to purchase City Garage parking passes which are to
be offered to each guest upon registration. Section 21.64.110 and Section 21.64.120.
9. A rental license shall be obtained from the Department of Planning and Zoning.
10. The resident owner shall keep a current guest register including names, addresses and dates of occupancy of all
guests available for inspection by the licensing agency.
11. The use shall be subject to all applicable City Code regulations including but not limited to building, fire and health
regulations.
12. For each side of a block between two intersecting streets there shall be no more than two Bed & Breakfast homes
and not two Bed & Breakfast homes may be located on adjacent properties with the exception of Bed & Breakfast
homes holding a valid, current license issued by the City pursuant to Chapter 17.44 as of June 20, 1994.
13. No Bed & Breakfast homes shall be located in an attached dwelling with the exception of Bed & Breakfast homes
holding a valid, current license issued by the City pursuant to Chapter 17.44 as of June 20, 1994.
14. In the case of license for a Bed & Breakfast holding a valid, current license by the City pursuant to Chapter 17.44 as
of June 20, 1994, nothing in these regulations shall preclude the renewal or transfer of that license.
15. The Bed & Breakfast operating license must be renewed every year. Inspections are required every year at least
once and also on a complaint basis. A new license will not be issued until inspections are approved and licenses
may be suspended or revoked at any time for Code violations.
16. The operating license annual fee is one hundred dollars ($100.00) per bedroom rented to transient guests and
payable in advance of license issuance.
17. Each license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place.
Revised Feb. 21, 2020 2
18. No license is transferable to another person.
19. ALL fees paid are not refundable.
20. Floor plan drawings of the structure and a record plat of the property will be required.
21. Must have smoke alarms installed on each ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate
vicinity of bedrooms, in each sleeping room, and each story of the dwelling unit (International Property Maintenance
Code 704.2)
22. The owner of rental property is required to install carbon monoxide alarms on each level of a rental unit. The alarm
may be battery powered with long life batteries or A/C powered. Alarms may be combination smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms.
Processing time
Time required for completion of the application for a Bed & Breakfast Operating License varies greatly depending on
available inspections times, the physical nature of the building and the needed renovations.
Enforcement and appeals
§17.44 Failure to obtain the required operating license or violations of the conditions and regulations can result in the
issuance of municipal infractions up to a maximum of $200 for each offense. Repeat offenders may be assessed a fine of
$400 for each repeat offense. Appeals of municipal infraction citations are taken to Anne Arundel County District Court.
If the issuance of a Bed & Breakfast license is denied by the Department of Planning and Zoning, the applicant may appeal
the decision to the Board of Appeals within 15 days of the decision.
Other considerations and requirements
Additional information on compliance with building and fire code requirements is available through the Department of
Planning and Zoning. Health Department approval is required for the food service portion of the use.
Contact: Mary Emrick, Senior Housing Inspector at 410-260-2200 x7705 or at mee@annapolis.gov.
Revised Feb. 21, 2020 3
City of Annapolis
Department of Planning and Zoning
145 Gorman Street 3
rd
Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401-2529
Permitting@annapolis.gov 410-260-2200 Fax 410-263-9158 • use MD Relay or 711 www.annapolis.gov
Bed & Breakfast Operating License Application
City Code and Charter, 21.64.110, 21.66.130 and Chapters 17.40 and 17.44.
Proposed address __________________________________________________________________________________
Complex name (if applicable) __________________________________________________________________________
Applicant ___________________________________________________ Phone, day _____________________________
Owner’s name _____________________________________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________________________________
Number of off street parking spaces to be provided for transient guests ________________________________________
Number of bedrooms to be rented for transient guests _________________________________________
Total number of bedrooms in structure ______________________ How many floors of living space available? _________
What is the current use of the structure? _________________________________________________________________
Check proposed Bed & Breakfast category:
A. Three (3) or less transient guests
B. Four to sixteen (4-16) transient guests (note provision 1, maximum of 5 rooms)
I/We have read and understand the City Code provisions of my/our proposed Bed & Breakfast and will comply.
Owner signature __________________________________________________________ Date _____________________
Owner signature __________________________________________________________ Date _____________________
FOR CITY USE ONLY
Property Tax acct# _________________________________________________ Zoning district ____________________
Fire approval ____________________________________________________________ Date _____________________
Zoning approval __________________________________________________________ Date _____________________
In an effort to go green, check here if you would like to receive your license via email. The inspection, renewals and any
violations will be sent by standard mail.