Maine short-term rental regulations

Maine · The Pine Tree State15 markets coveredUpdated Apr 18, 2026

Restriction mix15 markets

Prohibited0

Strict2 · 13%

Moderate8 · 53%

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Strict

Heavy restrictions apply

2 markets

Heavy regulation: caps, primary-residence rules, lottery permits, or night limits.

Ogunquit

Maine

Strict

Ogunquit requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual license from the Town Clerk and comply with specific performance standards found in...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $1500.1% tax

Rockland

Maine

Strict

The City of Rockland regulates short-term rentals through a mandatory annual permit system with distinct fees for owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $4500.1% tax

Moderate

Permit required · STRs broadly allowed

8 markets

Permit + tax registration required; otherwise STRs are broadly allowed.

Kennebunkport

Maine

Moderate

Kennebunkport requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain an annual license through the Town Clerk's office.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $1000.1% tax

Camden

Maine

Moderate

The Town of Camden regulates short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) through a mandatory annual licensing program and specific performance standards in the...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $1500.1% tax

Kennebunk

Maine

Moderate

Effective January 1, 2025, Kennebunk requires all short-term rental units (rentals under 15 days) to register with the Town Clerk and pass a mandatory fire...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $2500.1% tax

Wells

Maine

Moderate

The Town of Wells requires all short-term rentals to register annually with the Town Clerk.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $2000.1% tax

York

Maine

Moderate

The Town of York, Maine, requires all short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) to be licensed annually under Article 12.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $2000.1% tax

Bar Harbor

Maine

Moderate

Bar Harbor strictly regulates short-term rentals through a two-tiered registration system (VR-1 for primary residences and VR-2 for investment properties).

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $2500.1% tax

Boothbay Harbor

Maine

Moderate

The Town of Boothbay Harbor requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual license under Chapter 150 of the Municipal Code.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $1000.1% tax

Old Orchard Beach

Maine

Moderate

Old Orchard Beach requires all short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) to be licensed annually through the Planning and Code Enforcement Department.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $2500.1% tax

Permissive

Light-touch rules · STRs welcome

5 markets

Minimal restrictions: basic registration, no permit caps, no night limits.

Augusta

Maine

Permissive

Augusta, ME does not currently enforce a citywide short-term rental permit system or registration, though hosts must comply with state-level lodging taxes.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Free permit0.1% tax