Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Old Orchard Beach?

**Yes**, Old Orchard Beach requires a Short-Term Rental License for all stays under 30 days. You need to apply through the Planning and Code Enforcement Department. Note that the town employs a cap system and a lottery for new non-owner occupied licenses within specific high-density zones.

How much does an STR permit cost in Old Orchard Beach?

**$250** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental License in Old Orchard Beach. You need to apply through the Planning and Code Enforcement Department to obtain this verified permit. Note that this fee covers the annual cost of the required license to operate legally.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Old Orchard Beach?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Old Orchard Beach, ME, but they are regulated. You need to obtain a Short-Term Rental License through the Planning and Code Enforcement Department, and comply with all local ordinances. Note that the town employs a cap system and a lottery.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Old Orchard Beach?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Old Orchard Beach. Only property owners are eligible to apply for and receive a Short-Term Rental License. Renting out a property that you don't own on a short-term basis is prohibited.

What is the TOT tax rate in Old Orchard Beach?

**Tax rates** vary; check with the local finance department in Old Orchard Beach for specific information on lodging taxes. You should also consult with a tax professional to ensure you are collecting and remitting all required taxes, including state and local sales taxes, in compliance with current regulations.

Old Orchard Beach

Moderate

MaineUpdated Apr 18, 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

Old Orchard Beach requires all short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) to be licensed annually through the Planning and Code Enforcement Department. The town employs a cap system and a lottery for new non-owner occupied licenses in specific high-density zones.

Restriction level

Severity 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Limited to 1 property per owner
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 Old Orchard Beach, you must apply for a $250 annual license before advertising your property. You are limited to holding only one license per owner, and your property must meet specific safety standards like having fire extinguishers and working smoke detectors. While you don't have to live on-site, the town limits the number of guests to two per bedroom plus two extra (max 10 total). You must also ensure your guests follow quiet hours between 10 PM and 7 AM.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time14-30 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A person can only hold ONE short-term rental license in the town.
2Maximum occupancy is strictly 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10.
3You must provide off-street parking for all guests; street parking cannot be counted toward requirements.
4Existing licenses must be renewed by May 31 each year to avoid a $100 late fee or loss of license.
5Non-owner occupied licenses are subject to neighborhood caps; if full, you may be placed on a waiting list.
6The 9% Maine Lodging Tax must be collected; platforms usually handle this, but owners are responsible for ensuring compliance.
7Minimum stay requirement of 2 nights applies to all rentals.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility10 rules

Old Orchard Beach prohibits STRs in the following property types: RV, Trailer, Tent, Yurt.
Old Orchard Beach allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Multi-family, Condo.
Old Orchard Beach: You must provide off-street parking for all guests; street parking cannot be counted toward requirements.

Requirements17 rules

Old Orchard Beach STR warning: Non-owner occupied licenses are subject to neighborhood caps; if full, you may be placed on a waiting list.
Old Orchard Beach STR warning: Maximum occupancy is strictly 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10.

Application process11 rules

Old Orchard Beach STR permit - Step 2: Complete Self-Inspection. Ensure smoke detectors, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers are present and functional according to the town's safety checklist. Required documents: Self-inspection checklist. Time: 1-3 days.

Fees & costs2 rules

Old Orchard Beach charges a registration fee of $250 (annual).
Old Orchard Beach: Existing licenses must be renewed by May 31 each year to avoid a $100 late fee or loss of license.

Taxes2 rules

Old Orchard Beach: The 9% Maine Lodging Tax must be collected; platforms usually handle this, but owners are responsible for ensuring compliance.
Maine has a state sales tax of 9% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions11 rules

Old Orchard Beach, ME occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Old Orchard Beach, ME: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Old Orchard Beach enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Old Orchard Beach requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing emergency exits, Functioning egress windows in all sleeping areas.

Penalties3 rules

Old Orchard Beach, ME: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Old Orchard Beach: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Old Orchard Beach, ME: 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

Old Orchard Beach

Moderate

MaineUpdated Apr 18, 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 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Limited to 1 property per owner
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$250

Processing time14-30 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A person can only hold ONE short-term rental license in the town.
2Maximum occupancy is strictly 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10.
3You must provide off-street parking for all guests; street parking cannot be counted toward requirements.
4Existing licenses must be renewed by May 31 each year to avoid a $100 late fee or loss of license.
5Non-owner occupied licenses are subject to neighborhood caps; if full, you may be placed on a waiting list.
6The 9% Maine Lodging Tax must be collected; platforms usually handle this, but owners are responsible for ensuring compliance.
7Minimum stay requirement of 2 nights applies to all rentals.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility10 rules

Old Orchard Beach prohibits STRs in the following property types: RV, Trailer, Tent, Yurt.
Old Orchard Beach allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Multi-family, Condo.
Old Orchard Beach: You must provide off-street parking for all guests; street parking cannot be counted toward requirements.

Requirements17 rules

Old Orchard Beach STR warning: Non-owner occupied licenses are subject to neighborhood caps; if full, you may be placed on a waiting list.
Old Orchard Beach STR warning: Maximum occupancy is strictly 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10.

Application process11 rules

Old Orchard Beach STR permit - Step 2: Complete Self-Inspection. Ensure smoke detectors, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers are present and functional according to the town's safety checklist. Required documents: Self-inspection checklist. Time: 1-3 days.

Fees & costs2 rules

Old Orchard Beach charges a registration fee of $250 (annual).
Old Orchard Beach: Existing licenses must be renewed by May 31 each year to avoid a $100 late fee or loss of license.

Taxes2 rules

Old Orchard Beach: The 9% Maine Lodging Tax must be collected; platforms usually handle this, but owners are responsible for ensuring compliance.
Maine has a state sales tax of 9% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions11 rules

Old Orchard Beach, ME occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Old Orchard Beach, ME: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Old Orchard Beach enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Old Orchard Beach requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing emergency exits, Functioning egress windows in all sleeping areas.

Penalties3 rules

Old Orchard Beach, ME: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Old Orchard Beach: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Old Orchard Beach, ME: 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 Old Orchard Beach?

2How much does an STR permit cost in Old Orchard Beach?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Old Orchard Beach?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Old Orchard Beach?

5What is the TOT tax rate in Old Orchard Beach?

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 Old Orchard Beach?

2How much does an STR permit cost in Old Orchard Beach?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Old Orchard Beach?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Old Orchard Beach?

5What is the TOT tax rate in Old Orchard Beach?

Disclaimer