What is the TOT tax rate in Mount Desert?

**9% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Mount Desert. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the town. Check with the local finance department or your chosen booking platform to ensure proper compliance.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Mount Desert?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Mount Desert, Maine. The town's ordinance focuses on safety and noise mitigation rather than residency requirements. This allows both primary and secondary homes to be rented out on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, provided they are properly registered.

How much does an STR permit cost in Mount Desert?

**$50** is the current fee for the Short-Term Rental Registration in Mount Desert. You need to renew this registration annually with the Code Enforcement Officer to legally operate a short-term rental. This small fee helps the town manage and oversee the growing STR market.

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Mount Desert?

**No**, you do not need to live in your property to rent it on Airbnb in Mount Desert. The town's ordinance does not require primary residency, allowing both primary and secondary homes to be used as short-term rentals, as long as you register and comply with all regulations.

Mount Desert

Q: Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Mount Desert?

**Yes**, Mount Desert requires a Short-Term Rental Registration for all stays under 28 days. You need to register annually with the Code Enforcement Officer. The ordinance focuses on safety compliance and noise mitigation, ensuring both primary and secondary homes can be rented legally.

Permissive

STRs Allowed

MaineLast updated: February 13, 2026

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

The Town of Mount Desert requires all short-term rentals (stays under 28 days) to register annually with the Code Enforcement Officer. The ordinance focus is on safety compliance and noise mitigation rather than residency requirements, allowing both primary and secondary homes to be rented.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 5 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Mount Desert, you must register your property with the town and pay a $50 annual fee. You don't have to live in the home full-time, but you must ensure it meets specific safety standards like having working smoke detectors and proper emergency exits. You are also required to post a notice inside the rental with your contact information and basic house rules for guests. All rentals under 28 days are also subject to the Maine state lodging tax of 9%, which platforms usually collect for you.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$50

Processing Time

1-2 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.The town defines a short-term rental as any stay under 28 days, whereas many other towns use 30 days.
2.Registration is not a one-time process; you must renew every year by the town's deadline.
3.A working telephone (landline or VoIP) must be available in the unit for 911 calls.
4.Egress windows are strictly enforced for all rooms used for sleeping.
5.The maximum occupancy is strictly limited by the capacity of your septic system if you are not on town sewer.
6.Mount Desert is an incorporated town; do not confuse these rules with Hancock County unincorporated rules.
7.A late fee of $100 is applied if you miss the annual renewal date.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Mount Desert: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Mount Desert: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Mount Desert, ME: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Mount Desert does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements(15)

•Mount Desert: Registration is not a one-time process; you must renew every year by the town's deadline.
•Mount Desert STR warning: A late fee of $100 is applied if you miss the annual renewal date.
•Mount Desert STR warning: The town defines a short-term rental as any stay under 28 days, whereas many other towns use 30 days.

Application Process(10)

•Mount Desert, ME extended permit requirement: A late fee of $100 applies if not renewed by the deadline.
•Mount Desert STR permit - Step 2: Complete Safety Self-Certification. Ensure the property meets all safety requirements including smoke/CO detectors and egress windows. Time: 30 minutes.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Mount Desert: A late fee of $100 is applied if you miss the annual renewal date.
•Mount Desert charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Maine has a state sales tax of 5.5% that applies to STR rentals.
•Mount Desert charges a Maine Lodging Tax of 9%. This applies to stays under 28 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms like Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit the 9% Maine Lodging Tax automatically.

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•Mount Desert enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
•Mount Desert: The maximum occupancy is strictly limited by the capacity of your septic system if you are not on town sewer.
•Mount Desert limits stays to a maximum of 28 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Mount Desert 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, Working flashlight available, Operational telephone for 911 calls, Septic system in good working order.

Penalties(4)

•Mount Desert: The town defines a short-term rental as any stay under 28 days, whereas many other towns use 30 days.

Exemptions(3)

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

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other Maine Markets

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 zoning ordinance. All hosts must meet safety requirements and pay the 9% Maine state lodging tax, though there is no additional local municipal tax.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

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.

0.1% total 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 safety inspection.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Kennebunkport

Maine

Moderate

Kennebunkport requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain an annual license through the Town Clerk's office. The town enforces a cap on the number of non-owner-occupied licenses and limits owners to a maximum of two STR properties.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Mount Desert

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(15)

Application Process(10)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(4)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Mount Desert

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Mount Desert?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Mount Desert?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Mount Desert?

5Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Mount Desert?

Related Content

Other Maine Markets

Camden

Augusta

Kennebunk

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