Comparent
RestrictedCity

Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Stonington, ME

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

All rentals must be registered. Non-owner occupied STRs are restricted by a 1,000-foot separation requirement from other non-owner occupied STRs and are subject to an annual registration cap. New non-owner occupied units also require Planning Board conditional use approval.

How to Obtain a Permit

1. Complete the Short Term Rental Unit Registration Application and provide required attachments (e.g., notarized Primary Residence Affidavit for owner-occupied units). 2. Pay the annual registration fee (tiered by unit count and residency). 3. For new non-owner occupied units, obtain Planning Board conditional use approval.

Official Resources

Official Stonington STR regulation source

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Stonington, ME?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Stonington, ME, but with restrictions. All rentals must be registered. Non-owner occupied STRs are restricted by a 1,000-foot separation requirement from other non-owner occupied STRs and are subject to an annual registration cap. New non-owner occupied units also require Planning Board conditional use approval. 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.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Stonington, ME?
All rentals must be registered. Non-owner occupied STRs are restricted by a 1,000-foot separation requirement from other non-owner occupied STRs and are subject to an annual registration cap. New non-owner occupied units also require Planning Board conditional use approval.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Stonington?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Stonington. 1. Complete the Short Term Rental Unit Registration Application and provide required attachments (e.g., notarized Primary Residence Affidavit for owner-occupied units). 2. Pay the annual registration fee (tiered by unit count and residency). 3. For new non-owner occupied units, obtain Planning Board conditional use approval.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Stonington?
1. Complete the Short Term Rental Unit Registration Application and provide required attachments (e.g., notarized Primary Residence Affidavit for owner-occupied units). 2. Pay the annual registration fee (tiered by unit count and residency). 3. For new non-owner occupied units, obtain Planning Board conditional use approval.
Is Vrbo legal in Stonington, ME?
Vrbo is permitted in Stonington, 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.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Stonington?
Short-term rental hosts in Stonington 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.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Stonington?
We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Stonington. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.
Comparent

Looking for property managers in Stonington, ME?

Compare top-rated short-term rental managers on Comparent — read reviews, see pricing, and find the right fit.

View Property Managers

Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction