Ocean City Considers House Rental Restrictions Amid Complaints

OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ) -- Rowdy rentals. It's something Ocean City has always dealt with--young people renting homes for the week in residential neighborhoods.

Mary Bubala explains now town officials are considering banning rentals shorter than four months to keep the trouble out.

Weekly vacation rentals keep Ocean City alive and thriving. But sometimes, renters cause trouble when they come to party and push past the rental capacity limits. A proposed ban on weekly rentals could end that.

"A lot of people--maybe unrelated--are coming in with the purpose of having a good time while they're on vacation, but that disrupts the neighborhood. It's usually not defined as being a family. It's when a group of people come in that are causing problems," said Matthew Margotta.

The ban would affect single family homes and mobile homes. Some business owners say it will not work.

"The ban would really have an adverse effect on real estate in Ocean City," said Gail Crosby, real estate agent. "Number one, you have people who have purchased property with the intent of renting it out on a weekly basis. If they don't have that income, they're going to end up having to go through foreclosure."

Vacationers say the idea of a four-month rental would be unrealistic for most people.

"Well, I think it's ridiculous for the simple fact that people aren't going to want to come down here for four months at a time. Most people in this economy are in the position where they can only afford a week to get away," said Todd Wagner.

"Who exactly would be in a position to do a four-month rental? And maybe that is the point of the exercise," said Pat Sheridan.

Nearly 60 people showed up at a public hearing Tuesday night to voice their opinions on the proposed ban. Officials say they're looking into the effects the ban would have on rental property owners and will meet again on September 3.

Any measure would have to be approved by the mayor and city council.

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