Resort Properties Being Rented In R-1 Districts Called ‘Big Problem’

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City planners this week discussed the renting of single-family homes in areas zoned strictly residential and all of the issues associated with the growing problem.

The issue was broached by former long-time Planning Commissioner Dr. Geoff Robbins, who pointed out many properties in the town’s R-1 zoning designation are being rented to weekend warriors in otherwise tranquil areas of the resort set aside in the zoning code for year-round residents.

“We really need to address a growing problem in our community of rentals in residential zones,” he said. “It seems around 10 percent of the houses in otherwise quiet, residential neighborhoods are being rented.”

Ocean City, like most municipalities, has strict zoning codes that designate areas where certain rentals are allowed. Naturally, a large portion of the resort is a hodgepodge of hotels, condos, apartment buildings and other single-family and multi-family dwellings, but certain areas of the city have been zoned R-1 to allow for quiet residential use free of weekly, weekend or even daily rentals.

“We chose to pay a higher price to live here and this has become a big problem,” he said. “We’re beginning to experience things we never have before. The desire of people living in those communities is to have a less intrusive life without having to call the police at all hours.”

While stopping short of condemning all renters, Robbins said many have little regard for those who live in the community year-round.

“A lot of those renting in residential neighborhoods just don’t care,” he said. “They’re not familiar with the kids who live nearby or the animals that live there. They’re speeding through the neighborhoods and parking wherever they want. It’s really putting a strain on these otherwise quiet neighborhoods.”

Planning Commission Chair Pam Buckley agreed the problem was growing.

“I think we really need to educate the people on the law,” she said. “Property owners don’t know the law, and the Realtors should know the law but many are choosing to ignore it or aren’t telling them. We’ve been over this before. That’s why we came up with the four unrelated person law.”

Buckley was referring to a city ordinance that prohibits more than four unrelated people renting in the R-1 district. It’s a law adhered to in many communities, especially in resorts and around college campuses such as Salisbury, where multiple students often share a residence in a residential neighborhood.

Robbins said capping the number of days or months a residence can be rented could cure the problem.

Buckley said the issue deserved attention and suggested exploring possible changes in the code.

“I think we need further research and come back with some options,” she said. “We can figure out what we want to do with this and bring it back for a public hearing.”

Buckley said an education campaign was likely needed to remind property owners and Realtors of the law.

“What’s the possibility of doing some sort of publicity campaign to educate people on what the code is and what the penalties are?” she said. “Some are going through Realtors, but in many cases, they’re renting to family and friends, or co-workers from wherever they’re from.”

Planning Commissioner Lauren Taylor said the public education campaign should cut both ways.

“We also need public education for those who live where this is occurring so they know what the law is and where and to whom they should report it,” she said. “I think we need to put everybody on notice there will be strict enforcement going forward.”