Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Wells, ME?

**Yes**, Wells requires a Short-Term Rental Registration. You need to register annually with the Town Clerk. The fee is $200 if you live at the property, or $400 if you do not. Make sure to provide proof of off-street parking for your guests.

How much does an STR permit cost in Wells, ME?

**$200-$400** is the cost for a Short-Term Rental Registration in Wells, Maine. The fee is $200 if the property is your primary residence. If the property is not your primary residence, the fee is $400 annually. Contact the Town Clerk for more details.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Wells, ME?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Wells, Maine. Only property owners can register and operate a short-term rental. Renters must have permission from the property owner and comply with local regulations and the landlord's policies to host.

Wells

Moderate

MaineUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

The Town of Wells requires all short-term rentals to register annually with the Town Clerk. Regulations adopted in 2023 established a two-tier fee system and strict occupancy limits based on bedroom count.

Restriction level

Severity 21

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $200
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Wells, you must register your property with the town every year. You will need to pay a fee ($200 if you live there, $400 if you don't) and show that you have enough off-street parking for your guests. You are also required to register with the state of Maine to handle the 9% lodging tax, though platforms like Airbnb usually collect this for you. Make sure you don't exceed the guest limit, which is generally 2 people per bedroom plus two extra people total.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$200

Processing time2-4 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your property is in the Town of Wells and not unincorporated Wells County or neighboring Ogunquit.
2The 2023 ordinance requires a 'Local Contact Person' available 24/7 who can respond within 60 minutes.
3Parking is strictly regulated; you must provide 1 off-street spot per bedroom.
4The registration expires on December 31st every year, regardless of when you applied.
5Non-owner occupied units pay double the registration fee of primary residences.
6Occupancy limits are tied to your septic system capacity if you are not on town sewer.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Wells does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Wells: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Wells allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Multi-family, Condos.
Wells: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements16 rules

Wells: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Wells: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
Wells: Verify your property is in the Town of Wells and not unincorporated Wells County or neighboring Ogunquit.

Application process7 rules

Wells STR permit - Step 3: Town Inspection. The Code Enforcement Officer may schedule an inspection to verify life safety requirements. Time: 1 week.
Wells: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Proof of Ownership, Site Plan/Parking Plan, Trash Disposal Plan, Self-Inspection Checklist, Proof of State Sales Tax Registration.

Fees & costs2 rules

Wells: Non-owner occupied units pay double the registration fee of primary residences.
Wells charges a registration fee of $200 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $400 (Non-owner occupied units pay a higher annual fee ($400) compared to owner-occupied ($200).).

Taxes1 rule

ME has a state sales tax of 9% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Wells enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Wells limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed local septic/occupancy limits.
Wells occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed local septic/occupancy limits.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Wells requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Posted evacuation map.

Penalties2 rules

Wells enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 - $2,500 per day. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: Yes. Maximum fine: $5,000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Wells: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Wells exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), Hotels, Motels, Licensed B&Bs.
Wells: 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 Wells

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

State Sales Tax Registration

1 weekFree

Official resource

Step 2

Town Registration Application

Complete the Wells Short-Term Rental Registration form including the self-inspection checklist.

2 weeks$200

Documents needed

Site plan
Parking plan
Septic info (if applicable)

Official resource

Step 3

Town Inspection

The Code Enforcement Officer may schedule an inspection to verify life safety requirements.

1 weekFree

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

Wells

Moderate

MaineUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 21

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $200
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting 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$200

Processing time2-4 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your property is in the Town of Wells and not unincorporated Wells County or neighboring Ogunquit.
2The 2023 ordinance requires a 'Local Contact Person' available 24/7 who can respond within 60 minutes.
3Parking is strictly regulated; you must provide 1 off-street spot per bedroom.
4The registration expires on December 31st every year, regardless of when you applied.
5Non-owner occupied units pay double the registration fee of primary residences.
6Occupancy limits are tied to your septic system capacity if you are not on town sewer.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Wells does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Wells: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Wells allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Multi-family, Condos.
Wells: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements16 rules

Wells: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Wells: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
Wells: Verify your property is in the Town of Wells and not unincorporated Wells County or neighboring Ogunquit.

Application process7 rules

Wells STR permit - Step 3: Town Inspection. The Code Enforcement Officer may schedule an inspection to verify life safety requirements. Time: 1 week.
Wells: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Proof of Ownership, Site Plan/Parking Plan, Trash Disposal Plan, Self-Inspection Checklist, Proof of State Sales Tax Registration.

Fees & costs2 rules

Wells: Non-owner occupied units pay double the registration fee of primary residences.
Wells charges a registration fee of $200 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $400 (Non-owner occupied units pay a higher annual fee ($400) compared to owner-occupied ($200).).

Taxes1 rule

ME has a state sales tax of 9% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Wells enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Wells limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed local septic/occupancy limits.
Wells occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed local septic/occupancy limits.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Wells requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Posted evacuation map.

Penalties2 rules

Wells enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 - $2,500 per day. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: Yes. Maximum fine: $5,000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Wells: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Wells exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), Hotels, Motels, Licensed B&Bs.
Wells: 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 Wells

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

State Sales Tax Registration

1 weekFree

Official resource

Step 2

Town Registration Application

Complete the Wells Short-Term Rental Registration form including the self-inspection checklist.

2 weeks$200

Documents needed

Site plan
Parking plan
Septic info (if applicable)

Official resource

Step 3

Town Inspection

The Code Enforcement Officer may schedule an inspection to verify life safety requirements.

1 weekFree

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

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

State Sales Tax Registration

Town Registration Application

Town Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Wells, ME?

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

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

4How much does an STR permit cost in Wells, ME?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Wells, ME?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

State Sales Tax Registration

Town Registration Application

Town Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Wells, ME?

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

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

4How much does an STR permit cost in Wells, ME?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Wells, ME?

Disclaimer