Bulletin: Talbot Halts New Stays at Short-Term Rentals, B&Bs

Talbot County’s short-term rentals and bed and breakfasts may not accept any new guests after March 31 and may not take new reservations.

The Talbot County Council imposed the new restrictions Tuesday afternoon as it amended the county’s declaration of emergency for COVID-19.

The amended order states:

a. No new reservations shall be made until the expiration of this First Amended Declaration or further amendment by Council.

b. No occupancies of short term rental or bed and breakfast properties may begin after March 31, 2020, until the expiration of this First Amended Declaration or further amendment by Council.

Guests staying in Talbot County as of Tuesday may remain through the end of their current booking and may extend their stay “provided that (i) the owner provides the Talbot County Department of Planning and Zoning the names of all such guests and the dates by which all current guests will be vacating the premises, and (ii) that the owner and all guests comply with Governor Hogan’s executive orders, namely prohibition on large gatherings and the stay-at-home order, as well as complying with all other laws, rules, and regulations governing short-term rentals and bed and breakfasts.”

The order does allow new reservations to be made “for guests who are deemed by federal, State, or local governmental authorities as essential personnel needed to help respond to the spread of COVID-19 in Talbot County, including, without limitation, doctors, nurses, emergency first responders, law enforcement, and fire fighters, provided that the owner provides the Talbot County Department of Planning and Zoning the names of all such guests, their status as essential personnel, and the dates by which they will be vacating the premises.”

This story will be updated with the county council’s discussion about the amended order.