Short-Term Rental Regulations in Maine
State Overview
Maine does not preempt local short-term rental regulation. There is no statewide STR licensing scheme; cities and towns set their own registration, caps, and zoning rules. The state's role is taxation: a 9% sales tax on the rental of living quarters (36 M.R.S. §1811) administered by Maine Revenue Services, which property owners and transient rental platforms must collect and remit. The state imposes a 9% Sales Tax on Rental of Living Quarters in addition to any local taxes. Cities in Maine
| City | Permit | Tax Rate | Day Limit | Primary Res. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar Harbor | ✓ Required | 9% | No annual cap · per-stay limit | Varies | → |
| Camden | ✓ Required | 9% | No annual cap · per-stay limit | Varies | → |
| Kennebunkport | ✓ Required | 9% | No annual cap · per-stay limit | No | → |
| Portland | ✓ Required | 9% | No annual cap · per-stay limit | Varies | → |
Maine's STR Landscape
Maine does not have a uniform STR framework, leaving regulation to individual municipalities. The state imposes a 9% Sales Tax on Rental of Living Quarters in addition to local taxes.
Regulation varies significantly across cities. Some cities (Bar Harbor, Camden, Portland) require primary residence, while others (Kennebunkport) allow non-owner-occupied rentals.
Popular Short-Term Rental Markets
High-demand markets in other states — compare their permit, tax, and day-limit rules:
- Nashville STR regulations
- Short-term rental rules in Miami Beach
- Short-term rental rules in Asheville
- Myrtle Beach STR regulations
- Gatlinburg short-term rental permits
- Austin STR regulations
- New Orleans STR regulations
- Short-term rental rules in San Diego
- Vacation rental rules in Savannah
- Scottsdale STR regulations
Other States
Alabama 2 cities Alaska 1 city Arizona 8 cities Arkansas 3 cities California 28 cities Colorado 12 cities Connecticut 1 city Delaware 2 cities District of Columbia 1 city Florida 24 cities Georgia 6 cities Hawaii 4 cities Idaho 3 cities Illinois 2 cities Indiana 2 cities Kentucky 2 cities Louisiana 1 city Maryland 3 cities Massachusetts 6 cities Michigan 4 cities Minnesota 1 city Mississippi 2 cities Missouri 4 cities Montana 3 cities Nevada 1 city New Hampshire 2 cities New Jersey 5 cities New Mexico 3 cities New York 5 cities North Carolina 7 cities Ohio 3 cities Oklahoma 3 cities Oregon 3 cities Pennsylvania 4 cities Rhode Island 2 cities South Carolina 7 cities South Dakota 2 cities Tennessee 7 cities Texas 13 cities Utah 7 cities Vermont 2 cities Virginia 6 cities Washington 4 cities West Virginia 1 city Wisconsin 4 cities Wyoming 1 city