Home / Cities / Portland

Is Airbnb legal in Portland, Maine?

Legal but capped; investor units compete for a small pool. Portland requires annual STR registration with tiered fees from $100 to $4,000 based on unit count and occupancy type. Non-owner-occupied mainland units are capped at 1.5% of long-term rentals, just 293 units for 2026, so a new investor unit needs an open slot. Maine's 9% lodging tax applies on top.

Showing the researched rules for Portland, ME below. Type your Portland address to jump to the verdict.

Legal with permit

Legal but capped; investor units compete for a small pool

Portland requires annual STR registration with tiered fees from $100 to $4,000 based on unit count and occupancy type. Non-owner-occupied mainland units are capped at 1.5% of long-term rentals, just 293 units for 2026, so a new investor unit needs an open slot. Maine's 9% lodging tax applies on top.

Permit and costs

Permit
Short-Term Rental Registration
Issued by
City of Portland, Housing Safety Office
Cost
$100 to $4,000 / year (tiered)
Renewal
Annual

Key limits

Investor cap
293 non-owner-occupied mainland units for 2026
Fees
tiered $100 to $4,000; doubled for non-owner-occupied buildings
Registration number
STHR number on every listing
Definition
stays under 28 nights

Taxes

Maine lodging tax
9%

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Check cap availability
    Ask the Housing Safety Office whether investor slots are open before buying.
  2. 2
    Register with the city
    Apply through the city's registration portal with safety documentation.
  3. 3
    Display your number
    Add the STHR registration number to every listing.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
HOA and condo rules can ban STRs even with a city registration.
Annual cap reset
The 2026 investor cap is 293 units; the number resets each September from rental registry counts.

Sources

Mainebiz on Portland STR caps · BNBCalc Maine guide

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

Want this verified for your exact address?

$75 per address
  • Verdict for your parcel, not just the city
  • Permit name, fee, and renewal schedule
  • Night caps, occupancy rules, and key limits
  • Tax rates and a step-by-step checklist

Free during early access. Run the free address check

Also check

Bar Harbor, ME Gulf Shores, AL Orange Beach, AL Flagstaff, AZ All 103 cities
Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.