Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Camden?

**Yes**, Camden requires a Short-Term Rental License for all stays under 30 days. You need to apply for this annual permit through the town, which costs $150. Ensure you comply with all safety requirements and performance standards outlined in the zoning ordinance before listing your property. (53 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Camden, ME?

**9%** is the current lodging tax rate for short-term rentals in Camden, Maine. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the state. This Maine state lodging tax applies to all rentals with a duration of less than 30 days. Check with the state for filing deadlines. (54 words)

Are short-term rentals allowed in Camden, ME?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Camden, but they are regulated. You need to obtain a Short-Term Rental License and adhere to specific performance standards detailed in the town's zoning ordinance. Make sure your property meets all safety requirements and complies with local regulations to operate legally. (49 words)

How much does an STR permit cost in Camden?

**$150** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental License in Camden. You will need to renew this permit each year to legally operate a short-term rental. Ensure your application includes all required documentation and that your property meets the town's safety and zoning standards for short-term rentals. (50 words)

Can renters host on Airbnb in Camden?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Camden. The short-term rental regulations require that the property be owned by the host. Renters are prohibited from subletting the property as a short-term rental. You must own the property and obtain the required license to operate legally. (53 words)

Camden

Moderate

MaineUpdated Mar 30, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

The Town of Camden regulates short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) through a mandatory annual licensing program and specific performance standards in the zoning ordinance. All hosts must meet safety requirements and pay the 9% Maine state lodging tax, though there is no additional local municipal tax.

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Camden, you must apply for a Short-Term Rental License through the Town's Planning Department. This involves paying a $150 annual fee and proving your home meets specific safety codes like egress windows and working smoke alarms. You are allowed 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 extra, and you must display your permit number on your listing. While the state collects a 9% tax, the town itself does not charge an extra lodging tax beyond the permit fee.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$150

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must have a local contact person available 24/7 who can respond within 60 minutes.
2The 9% state tax applies to all rentals under 28 days; Airbnb collects this, but you must still register with Maine Revenue Services.
3Minimum stay requirement is 2 nights for all short-term rentals.
4Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in campers, RVs, or tents.
5You must provide one off-street parking space per bedroom used for the rental.
6Failure to renew your license annually results in immediate expiration and potential fines.
7If you are near the town border, verify you are not in Unincorporated Knox County, which has different rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Camden: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in campers, RVs, or tents.
Camden, ME: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Camden, ME: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Camden: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements17 rules

Camden: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Camden STR warning: If you are near the town border, verify you are not in Unincorporated Knox County, which has different rules.
Camden STR warning: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in campers, RVs, or tents.

Application process10 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Camden: Step 1: Zoning Verification - Confirm the property is in a zone that permits short-term rentals and check if it is within the town limits. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.camdenmaine.gov/index.asp?SEC=14810793-F597-4B33-A226-0D3EF16B0934 Step 2: Complete Self-Inspection - Ensure the home meets all fire and safety standards, including egress and alarm requirements. Documents needed: Self-inspection checklist. Estimated time: 1-3 days. Step 3: Submit Application and Fee - Submit the annual STR license application to the Planning and Development office with the required $150 fee. Documents needed: Application form, Insurance proof, Floor plan. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 150. More info: https://www.camdenmaine.gov/index.asp?SEC=A1937989-130A-4E90-A9AA-3B755FE36081

Fees & costs1 rule

Camden charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Maine has a state sales tax of 5.5% that applies to STR rentals.
Camden charges a Maine Lodging Tax of 9%. 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 state lodging tax automatically.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Camden requires a minimum stay of 2 nights.
Camden enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Camden: Minimum stay requirement is 2 nights for all short-term rentals.
Camden occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Camden limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests

Safety requirements1 rule

Camden requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Functioning interconnected fire alarm system.

Penalties4 rules

Camden: Failure to renew your license annually results in immediate expiration and potential fines.
Camden enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 - $250. Second offense: $250 - $500. Third offense: License revocation. Daily fine: Each day of violation is a separate offense. Maximum fine: $2,500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Camden, ME: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Camden exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Camden: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 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

Camden

Moderate

MaineUpdated Mar 30, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$150

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must have a local contact person available 24/7 who can respond within 60 minutes.
2The 9% state tax applies to all rentals under 28 days; Airbnb collects this, but you must still register with Maine Revenue Services.
3Minimum stay requirement is 2 nights for all short-term rentals.
4Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in campers, RVs, or tents.
5You must provide one off-street parking space per bedroom used for the rental.
6Failure to renew your license annually results in immediate expiration and potential fines.
7If you are near the town border, verify you are not in Unincorporated Knox County, which has different rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Camden: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in campers, RVs, or tents.
Camden, ME: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Camden, ME: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Camden: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements17 rules

Camden: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Camden STR warning: If you are near the town border, verify you are not in Unincorporated Knox County, which has different rules.
Camden STR warning: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in campers, RVs, or tents.

Application process10 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Camden: Step 1: Zoning Verification - Confirm the property is in a zone that permits short-term rentals and check if it is within the town limits. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.camdenmaine.gov/index.asp?SEC=14810793-F597-4B33-A226-0D3EF16B0934 Step 2: Complete Self-Inspection - Ensure the home meets all fire and safety standards, including egress and alarm requirements. Documents needed: Self-inspection checklist. Estimated time: 1-3 days. Step 3: Submit Application and Fee - Submit the annual STR license application to the Planning and Development office with the required $150 fee. Documents needed: Application form, Insurance proof, Floor plan. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 150. More info: https://www.camdenmaine.gov/index.asp?SEC=A1937989-130A-4E90-A9AA-3B755FE36081

Fees & costs1 rule

Camden charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Maine has a state sales tax of 5.5% that applies to STR rentals.
Camden charges a Maine Lodging Tax of 9%. 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 state lodging tax automatically.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Camden requires a minimum stay of 2 nights.
Camden enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Camden: Minimum stay requirement is 2 nights for all short-term rentals.
Camden occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Camden limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests

Safety requirements1 rule

Camden requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Functioning interconnected fire alarm system.

Penalties4 rules

Camden: Failure to renew your license annually results in immediate expiration and potential fines.
Camden enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 - $250. Second offense: $250 - $500. Third offense: License revocation. Daily fine: Each day of violation is a separate offense. Maximum fine: $2,500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Camden, ME: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Camden exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Camden: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Camden?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Camden, ME?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Camden, ME?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Camden?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Camden?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Camden?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Camden, ME?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Camden, ME?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Camden?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Camden?

Disclaimer