By Greg Ellison

(March 11, 2021) Ocean Pines continued to inch toward short-term rental policies last week when the association’s Architectural Review Committee signed off on a related proposal that now awaits action by the Board of Directors.

The proposed ARC rules governing short-term rentals was sent to board members several weeks ago, with OPA attorneys also reviewing them.

The amendment to association rules would supplement current county regulations to further delineate requirements for Ocean Pines properties offered as rentals for periods of less than 29 days.

The proposed rules would require Pines property owners marketing short-term rentals to obtain a Worcester County rental permit and an OPA permit and sticker to be displayed on the front door at eye level.

The rental rules would also require a responsible party associated with the rental to live within a 30-minute drive. Additionally, bed-and-breakfast establishments would be prohibited.

The annual permitting procedure would also require hiring licensed Maryland home inspectors to confirm that safety requirements such as adequate smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and functioning fire extinguishers are met.

An annual property inspection would ascertain the maximum number of occupants a dwelling could accommodate and assure that the name and contact information of a responsible party is on record.

Violations could result in tenants being asked to vacate the property immediately.

The topic arose last summer because of recurring problems at a few properties that were advertised on web-based platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, Flipkey or Homeaway.

Neighbors’ complaints about disruptive behavior led the board to create a workgroup of Directors Frank Daly, Camilla Rodgers and Frank Brown to investigate the situation.

After consulting with property owners and renters, the work group discovered roughly 180 properties in Ocean Pines that were advertised as short-terms rentals, principally in warmer weather.

During the research process, the workgroup met with the ARC members, representatives of the Ocean Pines Fire and Police Departments, as well as Worcester County zoning.

If the ARC rules amendment is approved by the board, the workgroup proposed asking the Worcester Commissioners to incorporate the Pines guidelines in the county’s rental regulations.