Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Portland, ME

Airbnb listings are allowed in Portland, ME, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are categorized into several classifications including Mainland Owner-Occupied (no numerical limit), Mainland Non-Owner Occupied (capped at 1.5% of prior-year long-term rentals; 2026 cap is 293), and Peaks Island (capped at 40). Building-level limits apply based on the total number of units, and certain classifications like Tenant-Occupied are closed to new licenses as of September 1, 2025. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals are categorized into several classifications including Mainland Owner-Occupied (no numerical limit), Mainland Non-Owner Occupied (capped at 1.5% of prior-year long-term rentals; 2026 cap is 293), and Peaks Island (capped at 40). Building-level limits apply based on the total number of units, and certain classifications like Tenant-Occupied are closed to new licenses as of September 1, 2025.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Portland. (1) Submit an annual STR application to the Licensing & Registration Office by December 31; (2) Provide required documents such as a notarized primary residence affidavit, ID, and proof of homestead exemption (for owner-occupied) or condo association attestation; (3) Display the issued license in the unit and include the license number in all online advertisements.

(1) Submit an annual STR application to the Licensing & Registration Office by December 31; (2) Provide required documents such as a notarized primary residence affidavit, ID, and proof of homestead exemption (for owner-occupied) or condo association attestation; (3) Display the issued license in the unit and include the license number in all online advertisements.

Vrbo is permitted in Portland, ME under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Portland are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Portland. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.