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  1. Home
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  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Maine
  6. ·
  7. Augusta

Augusta

Permissive
MaineUpdated Apr 17, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Restriction level

Severity 3
Classification
Permissive
3
Severity

Why this classification

  • Reporting required
  • No STR-specific permit required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement
  • No STR-specific fee

In plain English

What this means for you

There is no specialized short-term rental license or permit required by the City of Augusta for residential properties. However, you must register with the state to pay the 9% lodging tax and ensure your property meets standard Maine life safety codes like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredNo
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$0

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Maine defines 'transient' lodging as stays under 28 days for tax purposes.
  2. 2Augusta has discussed a $100 general rental licensing program, so check with the City Clerk for any recent ordinance updates passed in 2025.
  3. 3Small STRs (1-3 rooms) are usually exempt from Maine CDC's specialized lodging licensing, but must still pay state lodging tax.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility4 rules
  • Augusta: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
  • Augusta: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
  • Augusta allows STRs in the following property types: Single-Family, Multi-Family, Condo, Townhouse.
  • Augusta does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Requirements7 rules
  • Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Augusta: 1. Maine defines 'transient' lodging as stays under 28 days for tax purposes. 2. Augusta has discussed a $100 general rental licensing program, so check with the City Clerk for any recent ordinance updates passed in 2025. 3. Small STRs (1-3 rooms) are usually exempt from Maine CDC's specialized lodging licensing, but must still pay state lodging tax.
Application process5 rules
  • Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Augusta: Step 1: Register for Maine Sales & Use Tax - Short-term rental operators must register with Maine Revenue Services to obtain a certificate for collecting and remitting the 9% lodging tax. Documents needed: Business EIN or SSN, Property address. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-use-service-provider-tax Step 2: Verify Local Zoning and HOA Compliance - Check the city zoning map and your Homeowners Association (HOA) bylaws to ensure that short-term rentals are a permitted use for your specific property address. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://ecode360.com/AU1013 Step 3: Implement Life Safety Standards - Ensure the rental unit is equipped with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as required by Maine state law and post emergency contact info and exit routes inside the unit. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 100.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Augusta: Augusta has discussed a $100 general rental licensing program, so check with the City Clerk for any recent ordinance updates passed in 2025.
Taxes2 rules
  • Maine has a state sales tax of 0.055% that applies to STR rentals.
  • Augusta charges a Maine Lodging Tax of 0.09%. This applies to stays under 28 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect and remit the 9% Maine lodging tax directly to the state.
Limits & restrictions2 rules
  • Augusta enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
  • Augusta limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Augusta requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Emergency exit plan must be posted in the unit, E-911 address must be clearly visible.
Penalties1 rule
  • Augusta: Maine defines 'transient' lodging as stays under 28 days for tax purposes.
Exemptions3 rules
  • Augusta exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
  • Augusta: Small STRs (1-3 rooms) are usually exempt from Maine CDC's specialized lodging licensing, but must still pay state lodging tax.
  • Augusta: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Augusta

0/3
steps completed
Step 1

Register for Maine Sales & Use Tax

Short-term rental operators must register with Maine Revenue Services to obtain a certificate for collecting and remitting the 9% lodging tax.

1-2 weeksFree
Documents needed
  • Business EIN or SSN
  • Property address
Official resource
Step 2

Verify Local Zoning and HOA Compliance

Check the city zoning map and your Homeowners Association (HOA) bylaws to ensure that short-term rentals are a permitted use for your specific property address.

1 dayFree
Official resource
Step 3

Implement Life Safety Standards

Ensure the rental unit is equipped with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as required by Maine state law and post emergency contact info and exit routes inside the unit.

1 week$100

Frequently asked questions

1 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

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