Portland Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short Term Rental Registration (Owner-Occupied)

The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.

Short Term Rental Registration (Non-Owner-Occupied)

This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Non-owner-occupied short term rentals are not permitted in single-family homes or condos on the mainland; allowed in multi-unit buildings subject to per-building limits and the citywide non-owner-occupied cap.

Application Process

Registrations open 11/1 each year; renewal applications are mailed the first week of November. Submit a short term rental application with proof of ownership/occupancy. Owner-occupied registrants must provide a notarized primary residence affidavit plus proof of residency (state ID, driver's license or passport, and proof of homestead exemption or a redacted recent tax return). Owners may register up to 5 owner-occupied units (bedrooms/separate spaces) within their primary residence, and no more than 5 STR units total in the City. Pay the cumulative fee and renew by 12/31 (January 1 deadline); inspections are required as a condition of registration.

Note: Document requirements vary by permit type. See individual permit sections above for eligibility details.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 9% of gross rental income.

Collection: Every person who owns, manages or operates a hotel (including casual short term rentals), or who collects rental payments on behalf of the owner, must register as a retailer with Maine Revenue Services and collect and remit the 9% sales tax. Transient rental platforms register with MRS and collect the tax on facilitated bookings.

Rental Limits

Portland does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Individual-stay rule: Under 30 days (a stay of 30 days or more is a long term rental, not a short term rental).

Occupancy & Density Limits

2 guests per bedroom plus no more than 2 additional guests

Zoning & Restrictions

Per-building short term rental limits apply: a 2-unit building may have 1 STR; 3-4 units, 2 STRs; 5 units, 2 STRs; 6-9 units, 3 STRs; 10+ units, 5 STRs (2026 limits). Single-family homes and condos on the mainland may only be registered if owner-occupied.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Portland does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• As a condition of registration, owners must allow onsite inspections of the property including all rental units
• The short term rental registration number must be displayed in the rental unit and in all advertisements
• Owner-occupied registrants must provide a notarized primary residence affidavit plus proof of residency (state ID/driver's license/passport and proof of homestead exemption or redacted recent tax return)

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• General code violation (including operating or renting an unregistered short term rental): minimum $100 per day, maximum $2,500 per day (Sec. 6-1(a)(3))
• Occupant load limit violation: $250 first violation, $500 second, $1,000 third and subsequent (Sec. 6-1(a)(2))
• Significant code violation: minimum $200 per day (maximum $2,500 per day); minimum $500 per day after written notice to correct (maximum $5,000 per day) (Sec. 6-1(a)(1))
• Providing false information on a short term rental registration: $1,000 (Sec. 6-155(d))

Platform Requirements

The short term rental registration number must be displayed in the rental unit and in any and all advertisements for the rental unit.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Portland:

1. Determine your permit type. Portland has 2 permit types. Identify which applies to your property (Short Term Rental Registration (Owner-Occupied), Short Term Rental Registration (Non-Owner-Occupied)).
2. Meet safety requirements. As a condition of registration, owners must allow onsite inspections of the property including all rental units. The short term rental registration number must be displayed in the rental unit and in all advertisements. Owner-occupied registrants must provide a notarized primary residence affidavit plus proof of residency (state ID/driver's license/passport and proof of homestead exemption or redacted recent tax return).
3. Apply for your STR permit. Submit application. Fees vary by type: Short Term Rental Registration (Owner-Occupied) $100; Short Term Rental Registration (Non-Owner-Occupied) $200. See permit types above to determine which applies.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Maine Revenue Services (Sales, Fuel & Special Tax Division).
5. Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
6. Collect and remit taxes. 9% on all bookings.
7. Renew annually. Renewal fees vary by permit type ($100 / $200). See permit types above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Portland?

Yes. Portland requires a short-term rental permit to operate an Airbnb or Vrbo, and there are 2 permit types — one requires the property to be your primary residence, and another allows non-owner-occupied (investment) use. See the permit types above to find which applies to your property.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Portland?

Permit costs in Portland vary by type: Short Term Rental Registration (Owner-Occupied) $100; Short Term Rental Registration (Non-Owner-Occupied) $200.

Does Portland require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

It depends on the permit type. At least one Portland permit requires the property to be your primary residence, while another allows non-owner-occupied (investment) use — see the permit types above.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Portland?

Portland does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Portland?

Short-term rental stays in Portland are subject to a 9% Sales Tax on Rental of Living Quarters (lodging tax). The host is responsible for collecting and remitting it.

What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Portland?

Operating without a permit can cost up to $2,500 per day (up to $5,000 per day for significant violations after written notice).