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Portland short-term rental rules

StrictTop 10 by populationGreater PortlandLast checked November 13, 2026

Annual registration, tiered fees, and a hard cap on non-owner-occupied units.

Not yet confirmed with the town office

Inspection prep checklist
Who must register
Every short-term rental unit, every year
Deadline
January 1 each year
Fees
Tiered per unit: $100 for a first owner-occupied or island unit, $200 for a first non-owner-occupied mainland unit, rising to $4,000 for a fifth non-owner-occupied mainland unit
Cap
293 non-owner-occupied mainland units for 2026 (1.5% of registered long-term rentals), first come, with a waitlist; Peaks Island year-round non-owner-occupied capped separately
New in 2026
No new tenant-occupied registrations; existing ones continue only with timely renewal
Listings
Registration number required in every ad or listing
Condos
Need an association attestation that short-term rental is allowed

Get an email when Portland's rules change

Plus deadline reminders for your property.

Before you list

  • Register or license with the town
  • Pass any required inspection (smoke and CO alarms, egress, fire extinguisher)
  • Put the registration number in every listing
  • Register with Maine Revenue Services for direct bookings
  • Show the total price, including fees, in ads

Proposed changes

Nothing proposed right now · Last checked November 13, 2026

Sources

This page summarizes public information and is not legal advice. Confirm with the town before relying on it.