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Old Orchard Beach

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Old Orchard Beach, ME

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STR Regulations for Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Old Orchard Beach, ME?

Yes. Short-term rentals (rentals of 30 nights or fewer) are allowed in the Town of Old Orchard Beach, but they are regulated. Operators must:

  • Obtain a business license specifically for short-term rentals.
  • Pass a life-safety and code-compliance inspection prior to operating.
  • Gain approval from the Old Orchard Beach Town Council after inspection.
  • Register with the Town bi-annually (even- or odd-year cycles depending on the property’s Map–Block–Lot).
  • Pay any due personal property taxes before the application can be filed or renewed.
  • Re-inspect every four years and renew registration according to the assigned cycle.

These requirements are enforced by the Business Licensing and Code Enforcement Departments. A workshop on a dedicated STR ordinance was held in April 2023, but current operations are already subject to the Town’s licensing and inspection regime described above.

How to start a short-term rental business in Old Orchard Beach

Follow these steps to legally operate:

  1. Confirm property eligibility and zoning.
    • Confirm that your intended use as an STR aligns with zoning (contact Planning if needed).
  2. Prepare for inspection.
    • Use the Town’s inspection checklist and egress window guidance to ready the unit for life-safety and code compliance (see Required Documents).
  3. Submit the Business License Application for short-term rentals.
    • Include the required fee. A re-inspection may be required if the first inspection fails.
  4. Schedule and complete inspection.
    • The Code Enforcement Officer conducts the inspection, focusing on smoke detectors, proper egress, electrical and plumbing.
    • If you do not pass the initial inspection, schedule and pass a re-inspection within 45 days.
  5. Town Council approval.
    • After a passed inspection, your license goes before the Town Council for official approval. Council meetings occur on the first and third Tuesdays each month.
  6. Register bi-annually.
    • Submit bi-annual registration prior to rental. Renewals are due April 30 of the relevant cycle (even- vs odd-year cycle depends on your property’s Map–Block–Lot).
  7. Comply with ongoing obligations.
    • Renew in your cycle; re-inspect every four years; ensure personal property tax is paid before application or renewal.
  8. Post and maintain license.
    • Display the license number on your property as required. You may add the license number to your listing’s Regulations field.

Note: Registration does not replace other permits you may need. Ensure any additional requirements are satisfied before hosting.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Specific regulations for short-term rentals (city, county, and state)

City of Old Orchard Beach (municipal):

  • STRs are defined as rentals of 30 days or fewer and are subject to licensing, inspection, and Town Council approval.
  • Inspections cover life-safety and code compliance (smoke detectors, egress, electrical, plumbing). Properties must meet current code standards.
  • Re-inspection every four years.
  • Bi-annual registration is required. Renewals are due April 30 in the cycle assigned by the property’s Map–Block–Lot number (even- vs odd-year cycles).
  • Personal Property Tax must be paid before licensing or renewal will be issued.
  • Failure to comply may constitute a violation under the Town’s ordinances.
  • The Town is reviewing an STR-specific ordinance, with a workshop held on April 12, 2023. No separate ordinance was referenced as adopted at the time of that workshop; check the current Code of Ordinances for updates.

County (Cumberland County):

  • No county-specific short-term rental regulations were identified in the provided sources. County-level taxation and public services apply in general, but they do not impose separate STR licensing or inspection requirements.

State of Maine (Maine):

  • State law previously established a framework for local STR regulation via LD 1662, but that statewide framework has been repealed. Today, Maine relies on local municipal regulation for STRs.
  • Maine sales and lodging tax may apply to short-term rentals depending on the length of stay and whether the operator meets thresholds for registration and collection. Operators should consult the Maine Revenue Services guidance for lodging tax applicability and registration requirements.
  • Standard Maine life-safety and building codes referenced by municipal inspection include smoke detector, egress, and fuel gas detection standards.

Important nuance from Town guidance:

  • Year-round rentals: properly insulated and equipped to sustain occupancy throughout the year.
  • Seasonal rentals: rented or available to be rented only from March 1 to December 1. This does not refer to the number of renters during the summer; it is a usage window. While seasonal rentals and short-term rentals are distinct, the Town’s licensing and inspection practices for residential rentals guide compliance across categories.

Contact information for local authority in charge of STRs

  • Code Enforcement Office (inspection and life-safety compliance)
  • Business Licensing Department (license application, registration, and renewals)
  • Town Hall (general inquiries)
    • Address: 1 Portland Avenue, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
    • Phone: (207) 934-5714
    • Hours: Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri 8:00 am–4:00 pm; Tues 8:00 am–6:00 pm

Source links

Notes for investors:

  • Obtain and keep the completed business license and registration paperwork on file; these are required for renewals and inspections.
  • Budget for the initial license fee and inspection, plus periodic re-inspections every four years.
  • Maintain an internal compliance calendar keyed to your property’s Map–Block–Lot renewal cycle (April 30 deadlines), and verify the status of personal property taxes well before applying or renewing.
Old Orchard Beach

Market Saturation Score

036912
Low Saturation
1/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
0–1 declining months: minimal saturation pressure — revenue trends are stable.
View Full Old Orchard Beach Market Analysis →

Photos of Old Orchard Beach

Overview of Old Orchard Beach

Old Orchard Beach is a resort town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 8,960 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Portland−South Portland−Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area. Located on the inner side of Saco Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, the town is a popular seaside resort. The downtown contains many tourist-oriented businesses, including clam shacks and T-shirt shops. A wooden pier on the beach contains many other tourist businesses, including a variety of souvenir shops. The seven mile (11 km) long beach actually covers three different towns: (Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, and Saco, north to south), and is lined with many beach residential properties, condominiums, motels and bed and breakfasts.

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