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Rockland short-term rental rules
StrictMidcoast (Knox County)Last checked November 13, 2026
Annual city permit for every short-term rental and a cap of 45 non-owner-occupied units.
Not yet confirmed with the town office
- Who must get a permit
- Every short-term rental, every year, from the Code Enforcement Office (required since 2018)
- Cap
- 45 non-owner-occupied short-term rentals citywide
- Recent vote
- In July 2024 the City Council voted down a proposal to stop issuing non-owner-occupied permits by 2026
- Building types
- Rules differ for owner-occupied homes and for non-owner-occupied units in two-family and multi-family buildings
- Neighbors
- The city mails notice of new applications to abutting property owners
- Fee
- Set by the City Council; published guides list different amounts, so confirm with Code Enforcement
- Penalty
- Fine of up to $5,000 for operating a non-owner-occupied rental without a permit (set in 2018)
Get an email when Rockland'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.