Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Waldo County, ME

No county-wide STR ordinance was found; STRs are governed by individual municipalities in Waldo County and (for unorganized/LUPC service-area lands) by the Maine Land Use Planning Commission. Examples: Belfast requires annual short-term rental registration for any dwelling advertised for <28 consecutive days and a named local contact; Searsport’s Land Use Ordinance permits “bed and breakfast”/transient accommodations with explicit limits (maximum 8 beds, maximum 16 guests) and subjects uses to Code Enforcement Officer/Planning Board review. Properties in LUPC service areas must file a Short-Term Rental Notice with the LUPC.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Waldo County. 1) Identify the town/city where the rental is located and consult that municipality’s Planning/Codes or Land Use ordinance. 2) If in Belfast: complete and submit the City of Belfast Short-Term Rental Registration application to the Planning & Codes Department (online permitting portal), pay the required registration fee, display the issued registration inside the unit, and renew annually. 3) If in Searsport: file for the required Code Enforcement Officer/land use permit under the Town of Searsport Land Use Ordinance (application to CEO; comply with site-plan, certificate of occupancy and performance standards). 4) If located in LUPC Commission service area: file the LUPC Short-Term Rental Notice online via the LUPC portal.

1) Identify the town/city where the rental is located and consult that municipality’s Planning/Codes or Land Use ordinance. 2) If in Belfast: complete and submit the City of Belfast Short-Term Rental Registration application to the Planning & Codes Department (online permitting portal), pay the required registration fee, display the issued registration inside the unit, and renew annually. 3) If in Searsport: file for the required Code Enforcement Officer/land use permit under the Town of Searsport Land Use Ordinance (application to CEO; comply with site-plan, certificate of occupancy and performance standards). 4) If located in LUPC Commission service area: file the LUPC Short-Term Rental Notice online via the LUPC portal.