Note on scope

• No city‑specific STR regulations were identified in the provided sources. As a result, this guide relies on Maine state‑level requirements and best‑practice due‑diligence steps to confirm any local (town or county) rules. Where a reference or contact is based on general state resources, it is provided as a reliable starting point.

1) Are short‑term rentals allowed in Phillips, Maine?

Overview

• Based on the available materials, there is no city‑ or county‑specific Short‑Term Rental registration or licensing requirement presented for Phillips, Maine.
• In the absence of a local STR ordinance, operating a short‑term rental in Phillips is generally allowed subject to:
  • State lodging licensing (22 M.R.S. § 249) and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) rules,
  • State taxation (Maine Revenue Services Meals & Rooms Tax),
  • Compliance with any applicable local zoning/building/fire/life safety and land use regulations.

Implication for investors

• Investors may proceed on the assumption that STRs are permissible at the city level unless and until they confirm the contrary with the town and county. Thorough local due‑diligence is strongly recommended because municipalities can still regulate STRs through zoning and life‑safety standards.

2) How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

Step‑by‑step approach

1. Confirm local allowances and requirements

   • Contact the Town of Phillips (Code Enforcement/Planning) to verify:
     • Whether STRs are permitted by right in the relevant zoning district,
     • Any local business licensing, occupancy limits, parking or nuisance standards,
     • Fire/life‑safety and building permit needs (especially if change‑of‑use or renovation is planned).
   • If the property lies in Franklin County’s unorganized territory, confirm if any county‑level provisions apply.

2. Secure life‑safety and structural compliance

   • Comply with state lodging establishment rules (see Section 3 for licensing details).
   • Confirm smoke and CO alarms, egress, fire extinguishers, and any applicable fire/sprinkler standards.
   • Conduct any necessary building inspections and obtain certificates of occupancy as required.

3. Register for state sales and meals & rooms tax

   • Register with Maine Revenue Services (MRS) for Sales & Use Tax and Meals & Rooms Tax, and set up ongoing filings.
   • Establish accurate recordkeeping (guest records, room sales, taxes collected, exemptions, and remittances).

4. Obtain Maine lodging establishment license

   • Apply for a lodging establishment license with the Maine CDC (see Section 3 for requirements).
   • Display the license number in the unit and keep it current/renewed.

5. Marketing and operations

   • Use compliant listing titles and descriptions. Avoid superlatives that might imply exemptions when none exist.
   • Implement guest screening, party/event controls, quiet hours, occupancy limits, and property management/response plans.
   • Create standard operating procedures for cleaning, safety checks, and emergency contacts.

6. Ongoing compliance

   • File state tax returns and remit taxes on time.
   • Maintain and renew any required state and local permits or licenses.
   • Monitor for local ordinance changes (Phillips could adopt STR rules at any time).

3) Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

State licensing and registration (Maine)

• Maine CDC Lodging Establishment License (22 M.R.S. § 249)
  • Application via Maine CDC Lodging Program.
  • License must be displayed in the lodging establishment; renewals as required.
• Maine Revenue Services (MRS) tax registration
  • Sales & Use Tax account (often initiated through the online portal).
  • Meals & Rooms Tax account (MRS).
  • Regular filings (monthly/quarterly/annually as assigned), accurate recordkeeping, and timely remittance.

State rules and guidelines

• Maine CDC Lodging rules for health, safety, and sanitation; follow all applicable fire/life‑safety standards.
• State lodging guidance and forms for Maine lodgings.

County/town (to verify before opening)

• Any local business or lodging license (if adopted).
• Zoning compliance (use by right or conditional use).
• Building permits/inspections; certificate of occupancy.
• Fire/life‑safety standards beyond state minimums (if any).
• Parking, signage, occupancy limits, noise/nuisance, and rental‑duration rules.
• Ad valorem and business personal property taxes as applicable.

Evidence of permit/license

• Keep digital and hard copies of:
  • State license, tax account confirmations, and any local permits.
  • Inspection reports and certificates of occupancy.
  • Policy acknowledgments (HOA/condo, where applicable) and guest rules.

4) Specific regulations: city, county, and state

Phillips (city/town) – no city‑specific STR regulations were found in the provided materials

• Check with the Town of Phillips (Code Enforcement/Planning) for any ordinance updates.
• Even absent an STR ordinance, land‑use and life‑safety requirements typically apply.

Franklin County – no county‑specific STR rules were identified in the provided materials

• Properties in unorganized areas are subject to state law; any county provisions should be confirmed directly.

State of Maine (applies regardless of city/county)

• Licensing
  • 22 M.R.S. § 249: Lodging establishments must obtain a license from Maine CDC.
• Taxation
  • MRS Meals & Rooms Tax applies to lodging. Sales & Use Tax may also apply depending on the nature of charges.
• Zoning enabling
  • State zoning statutes and “LD 2003” (mentioned in the state study) influence municipal housing and zoning policies. Municipalities can adopt or amend zoning to regulate STRs even if none currently exist in Phillips.
• Health, safety, and sanitation
  • Follow all applicable Maine CDC lodging rules and any fire/life‑safety codes.

Portland context (not applicable to Phillips, provided for contrast only)

• The provided materials include a Portland City Council order amending Portland’s STR registration rules effective September 1, 2025. Portland’s process is not binding on Phillips and is included only to illustrate that some Maine municipalities do regulate STRs through registration and disclosures.

5) Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs)

Town of Phillips (primary local authority for zoning and permits)

• Address: Phillips Town Office, Phillips, ME
• Phone: Contact via the town’s main line (obtain current number from the town)
• Email: Contact via the town’s official email (obtain current address from the town)
• Website: Contact the town for the official site and Code Enforcement contacts

Franklin County (for unorganized territory confirmations)

• Contact the Franklin County administrative offices to confirm if any county‑level rules apply to the parcel.

State of Maine (licensing and tax)

• Maine CDC – Lodging Program
  • Phone: 207‑287‑5674
  • Email: dhps.mainedhhs.gov (use Maine CDC contact portal)
  • Website: Maine CDC Lodging Program (search online)
• Maine Revenue Services (MRS)
  • Phone: 207‑624‑9690
  • Email: Taxation Online Contact (MRS)
  • Website: Maine Revenue Services (search online)

6) Links to source pages

State‑level information (general, start here)

• Maine CDC – Lodging Program (rules and licensing for lodging establishments): www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc (search for “Lodging Program”)
• Maine Revenue Services (Meals & Rooms Tax, Sales & Use Tax registration and returns): www.maine.gov/revenue

Portland example (for context only; not applicable to Phillips)

• City of Portland, Maine – Order setting amendment to short‑term rental unit registration requirements (effective September 1, 2025): content.civicplus.com/api/assets/0de932f7-e952-4f3c-a20d-ee1a022d4009

Maine housing context (supporting the state regulatory environment)

• State of Maine Housing Production Needs Study (October 2023 draft): mainehousing.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/state-of-maine-housing-production-needs-study_full_final-v2.pdf

Non‑source (no content provided)

• Instagram, Facebook posts listed in the search results do not provide regulatory text. They are not relied upon for this guide.

Practical takeaways for investors

• Treat STRs as permitted by default in Phillips absent any local ordinance, but confirm zoning, permitting, and any life‑safety upgrades before listing.
• Secure and maintain the Maine CDC lodging license and complete MRS tax registration before accepting guests.
• Monitor the Town of Phillips and Franklin County for any future STR‑specific ordinances, as municipalities in Maine can enact rules at any time.