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Old Orchard Beach

Maine · United States
Active
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Old Orchard Beach Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredYes
Tax Rate9% Maine state lodging/sales tax
Night / Day CapNone identified
Minimum StaySTRs defined as rentals of 30 days or fewer. Transient occupancy = less than 30 consecutive calendar days.
Permit Fee$250 per year for a rental business license (applies to all rental types including STRs). Bi-annual registration cycle (even/odd year renewals by Apri
PenaltiesOperating without a valid license subject to citation, fines, and potential loss of permit. Code Enforcement can issue warnings, violation letters, or
Occupancy LimitSubject to life-safety and code-compliance inspection. Specific numeric limits not published in available excerpts.
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Old Orchard Beach Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Old Orchard Beach Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Old Orchard Beach, Maine are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are $250 per year for a rental business license (applies to all rental types including STRs). Bi-annual .

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Old Orchard Beach

Short-term rental operators in Old Orchard Beach should be aware of these tax obligations: 9% Maine state lodging/sales tax.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Old Orchard Beach

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Old Orchard Beach include: Rental day cap: None identified. Occupancy limit: Subject to life-safety and code-compliance inspection. Specific numeric limits not published in available excerpts.. Minimum stay: STRs defined as rentals of 30 days or fewer. Transient occupancy = less than 30 consecutive calendar days..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Old Orchard Beach

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Old Orchard Beach: STRs may operate as whole house, duplex, multifamily, apartment, condominium, lodging condominium, or individual rooms/units. Lodging condominium units must be rented at least 60 days during March 1–D. Density rules: Approximately 6,118 rental parcels in town; no specific density cap ordinance identified as adopted.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Old Orchard Beach

Hosts who fail to comply with Old Orchard Beach's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Operating without a valid license subject to citation, fines, and potential loss of permit. Code Enforcement can issue warnings, violation letters, or citations. Specific per-day fine amounts not conf.

Platform Obligations in Old Orchard Beach

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Old Orchard Beach: None beyond license number on registration.

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
Yes
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
$250 per year for a rental business license (applies to all rental types including STRs). Bi-annual registration cycle (even/odd year renewals by April 30, depending on property Map-Block-Lot). Re-inspection required every 4 years.
Night / Day Cap
None identified
Occupancy Limit
Subject to life-safety and code-compliance inspection. Specific numeric limits not published in available excerpts.
Tax Rate
9% Maine state lodging/sales tax
Zoning Restrictions
STRs may operate as whole house, duplex, multifamily, apartment, condominium, lodging condominium, or individual rooms/units. Lodging condominium units must be rented at least 60 days during March 1–December 1 per year. Town business license approval required within 60 days of unit closing for lodging condo owners.
Minimum Stay
STRs defined as rentals of 30 days or fewer. Transient occupancy = less than 30 consecutive calendar days.
Density Rules
Approximately 6,118 rental parcels in town; no specific density cap ordinance identified as adopted
Platform Obligations
None beyond license number on registration
Compliance Notes
All rental properties (including STRs) must obtain a biennial Town business license ($250/yr) with sign-off from Police, Fire, and Code Enforcement. Properties must pass a life-safety and code-compliance inspection before operating. After passing inspection, the property must be voted on and approved by the Old Orchard Beach Town Council. Re-inspection required every 4 years. Business Licensing and Code Enforcement Departments manage registration. A dedicated STR-specific ordinance was workshopped in April 2023 (Ch. 78, Art. VII) but a fully separate STR ordinance had not been confirmed as adopted as of available records — existing business licensing/inspection regime governs STRs in the interim.
Effective Date
Long-standing business licensing regime; STR definition added to ordinances in early 2023. Lodging/Condo conversion ordinance Ch. 78 Art. VII: effective June 2023.
Key Notes
Old Orchard Beach is one of Maine's highest-density summer rental markets with 1,000+ Airbnb listings. The town has had rental regulations longer than most Maine municipalities. The council discussed a moratorium on new STRs in 2023 but it did not advance. STR-specific ordinance development ongoing — monitor oobmaine.com for updates.
Penalties
Operating without a valid license subject to citation, fines, and potential loss of permit. Code Enforcement can issue warnings, violation letters, or citations. Specific per-day fine amounts not confirmed in available official text.
Additional Context
Old Orchard Beach swells to up to 75,000 people in summer. The town has long distinguished between year-round rentals (1,031 licensed) and seasonal rentals (293 licensed). STR as a distinct category was only formally defined in early 2023. Enforcement managed jointly by Business Licensing and Code Enforcement.
Sources
Old Orchard Beach Town Ordinance Ch. 78, Art. VII (Lodging/Condo): https://www.oobmaine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/D2-6.2023-Lodging-Condo-Conversions-Ord-Ch.-78-Art.-VII-Sec.-1281.pdf
Maine Legislature testimony from Town of Old Orchard Beach: https://legislature.maine.gov/testimony/resources/HOU20230411Foster133256935333324604.pdf
Airbnb help (registration): https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3551
📋 Apply / Register with the Official Authority

Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Old Orchard Beach?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Old Orchard Beach with proper registration and permits. All rental properties (including STRs) must obtain a biennial Town business license ($250/yr) with sign-off from Police, Fire, and Code Enforcement. Properties must pass a life-safety and code-complia

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Old Orchard Beach?

Yes. Old Orchard Beach requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Old Orchard Beach?

Short-term rental hosts in Old Orchard Beach are subject to the following tax obligations: 9% Maine state lodging/sales tax.

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Old Orchard Beach?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Old Orchard Beach may face enforcement. Operating without a valid license subject to citation, fines, and potential loss of permit. Code Enforcement can issue warnings, violation letters, or citations. Specific per-day fine amounts not confirmed in available official text..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Old Orchard Beach?

Old Orchard Beach is one of Maine's highest-density summer rental markets with 1,000+ Airbnb listings. The town has had rental regulations longer than most Maine municipalities. The council discussed a moratorium on new STRs in 2023 but it did not advance. STR-specific ordinance development ongoing — monitor oobmaine.com for updates.

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