EASTON, MARYLAND — A bill changing who must be notified of short-term rental license hearings goes to a County Council public hearing Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

Bill No. 1653 would change who must be notified when an applicant seeks a new or renewed short-term rental license. Applicants would notify adjoining owners, owners across a road or right-of-way, any homeowners or property owners association, and others with access rights to a shared private road. Beyond those, notice would go to owners of all other properties with a property line within 1,000 feet of the rental dwelling — including in line of sight across water — or to the 50 properties nearest the dwelling, whichever is less. All five council members sponsored the bill. When it was introduced Sept. 8, Council Vice President Pete Lesher asked the county attorney to prepare amendments based on earlier Planning Commission recommendations, according to the county’s meeting highlights. Those amendments did not appear on the council’s Sept. 22 agenda, and the bill had not been amended as of Monday, according to the county’s pending-legislation list. The bill would take effect 60 days after passage and expires Nov. 12 if not enacted.

The Oct. 13 night also carries other hearings already tracked elsewhere. This article follows only the short-term rental notice bill.